Lismore premiered in 1952 as a simple goblet and is now featured in everything from stemware, barware, collectibles and even lighting. It’s characterized by a series of interconnected, upwardly slanting wedge and diamond cuts at the bottom half of the piece.
Waterford ambassador & master cutter Vincent Rellis
But what exactly makes Lismore so special? We caught up with Vincent Rellis, a Waterford ambassador and master cutter to find out more.
“Hold it up to the light,” Rellis said, talking to us via phone from his home in Waterford, Ireland. “You can see the clarity, and how the cuts kidnap the light.”
Rellis knows his crystal, in ways that are both broad and subtle. For instance, if you rub your finger along the top of a Lismore goblet or flute, it will produce a slight but distinctive ring sound, he said. If you hold it up to a light source, you’ll see light captured and refracted into an almost silvery brilliance. There’s also an almost intrinsic softness that you can feel when you touch any Lismore piece. “The softness makes it easier to cut,” he told us.
All this is evidence of the crystal’s purity. The secret lies in Waterford’s carefully guarded crystal recipe that’s been handed down for more than 200 years. It includes the right combination of silica sand, pot ash and lead. These elements create Lismore’s clarity and iridescence.
Waterford's best-selling Lismore design
Almost as striking as the crystal itself is Lismore’s longevity, Rellis said. In a world where styles and tastes are continually changing, Lismore’s popularity remains steadfast.
“It’s mind boggling that we started out 60 years ago, and it’s still number one for gifting,” he said.
Join us in celebrating Lismore’s 60th anniversary this year. See more Waterford items with the Lismore design, and shop our entire Waterford Collection. What’s your favorite Lismore item? Tell us about it.
In 1970 after graduating from college, I toured Europe. I had decided before I left America that I would buy one major item while in Europe. So, when touring Ireland, I couldn’t wait to get to Waterford and buy crystal. I didn’t have a lot of money, so the clerk at the Waterford factory told me the Lismore collection was probably for me. For one hundred dollars, I bought six water goblets, eight wine goblets, and eight champagne goblets. Can you imagine that!! I still have the same crystal and have added even more Lismore . The clerk was right, the Lismore is for me.
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary.