How to tell a fault from a characteristic

People are often unsure whether what they are looking at is a defect. The line is fairly clear once you know it.

Normal in hand-blown glass

• Fine internal bubbles, sometimes in trails.
• Faint tool marks near the rim or the neck.
• A pontil scar underneath, rough or polished.
• Slight variation in height, wall thickness and colour depth.

Not normal

• A crack, even a hairline one. Hold the piece to the light and turn it.
• A chip on the rim or base, which will be sharp to the touch.
• A base that rocks on a flat surface.
• Leaking from a vessel filled with water.

What to do

If you find any of the second list, tell us within 48 hours of delivery with photographs of the piece and the packaging. An unboxing video is strongly recommended and makes a breakage claim quicker, but it is not a condition.