Why Waterford Crystal Master Craftsmen Train For 8 Years | Insider Business

Why Waterford Crystal Master Craftsmen Train For 8 Years | Insider Business
Quizzed ESL Activities

Waterford Crystal: A Cut Above

Waterford Crystal is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship, sharp cuts, and detailed patterns. With a history dating back to 1783, the company has released hundreds of designs, including the iconic Lismore pattern and the popular Irish Lace design.

Craftsmanship and Production

Artisans at Waterford must undergo an 8-year apprenticeship program to become master craftsmen. Each handmade piece passes through the hands of around 10 master craftsmen, including blowers, cutters, and designers. The production process involves:

  • Hand-drawn sketches for initial design
  • Blowing molten crystal into molds at 1100 degrees
  • Cooling the glass over 24 hours to prevent breaking
  • Polishing and cutting the glass to precise patterns

Design and Innovation

Senior designer Matt Kehoe works closely with the team to bring designs to life. Waterford has transitioned to a lead-free, recyclable formula containing barium oxide, making the crystal twice as durable and more heat-resistant.

Master Craftsmen

Master craftsmen like Edgar Evans and David Boyce have spent decades honing their skills. They must memorize hundreds of patterns and work with precision to create intricate cuts and designs.

Legacy and Popularity

Waterford Crystal is prized by royalty, institutions, and individuals worldwide. The company has created custom pieces for the British royal family and the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball. With a strong legacy and commitment to craftsmanship, Waterford Crystal remains a cut above the rest.



Term Definition Example Usage
Exquisite Extremely beautiful or delicate Waterford Crystal is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship, sharp cuts, and detailed patterns.
Apprenticeship A period of time spent learning a trade or skill from an experienced person Artisans at Waterford must undergo an 8-year apprenticeship program to become master craftsmen.
Molten In a state of being melted, typically at a high temperature Blowing molten crystal into molds at 1100 degrees is part of the production process.
Recyclable Able to be reused or reprocessed to make new products Waterford has transitioned to a lead-free, recyclable formula containing barium oxide.
Intricate Having many complexly arranged parts or details Master craftsmen like Edgar Evans and David Boyce create intricate cuts and designs.
Durable Able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage Waterford’s new formula makes the crystal twice as durable and more heat-resistant.
Heat-resistant Able to withstand high temperatures without damage Waterford’s lead-free formula makes the crystal more heat-resistant.
Custom Made or done to order, according to a person’s specific requirements The company has created custom pieces for the British royal family and the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball.
Legacy A gift or property left to someone in a will, or a lasting impact or influence Waterford Crystal has a strong legacy and commitment to craftsmanship, remaining a cut above the rest.
Royalty Members of a royal family, or people of high social status Waterford Crystal is prized by royalty, institutions, and individuals worldwide.




Waterford Crystal Vocabulary Quiz

Test your knowledge of the vocabulary used to describe Waterford Crystal.

1. What does exquisite mean in the context of Waterford Crystal?





2. What is an apprenticeship program?





3. What does recyclable mean in the context of Waterford Crystal’s new formula?





4. What is intricate in the context of Waterford Crystal’s designs?





5. What does prized mean in the context of Waterford Crystal?





Answer Key:

  1. 2. Of very high quality; delicate and beautiful
  2. 2. A long-term training program where one learns from an experienced person
  3. 3. Can be recycled and reused
  4. 2. Complex and having many detailed parts
  5. 2. Highly valued and appreciated

The Use of the Present Simple and Present Perfect Tenses


The present simple tense is used to describe habits, routines, and general truths, whereas the present perfect tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present moment or have a connection to the present. In the given text, we can see the use of both tenses. For example, “Waterford Crystal is renowned” (present simple) and “has released hundreds of designs” (present perfect). The present simple is also used to describe the production process, such as “involves” and “passes”, while the present perfect is used to describe the company’s history and legacy, such as “has transitioned” and “has created”.

Quiz Time!

Choose the correct answer for each question:

  1. Waterford Crystal ____________ hundreds of designs, including the iconic Lismore pattern.
    1. release
    2. has released
    3. releases
    4. is releasing
  2. The production process at Waterford ____________ hand-drawn sketches for initial design.
    1. involves
    2. involve
    3. has involved
    4. involving
  3. Senior designer Matt Kehoe ____________ closely with the team to bring designs to life.
    1. work
    2. works
    3. has worked
    4. is working
  4. Master craftsmen like Edgar Evans ____________ their skills over decades.
    1. honed
    2. have honed
    3. hones
    4. are honing
  5. Waterford Crystal ____________ a strong legacy and commitment to craftsmanship.
    1. have
    2. has
    3. have had
    4. has had

Answer Key

  1. has released
  2. involves
  3. works
  4. have honed
  5. has

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