Brian Severn

Let me set the record straight. What you are seeing (Gazette-last Friday #3172) is what is called “spider webbing”. It is considered to be a damage to the glass. Steuben did not make crackle. They did however make onion skin and glue chip. They are two very different methods.

What you will see if you provide the proper magnification will be a horizontal perpendicular surface crack to the surface penetrating approximately 1/64 of an inch below the surface. This damage to “sick glass” is still under research. Theory is that alkaline deposits penetrate the glass and leave calcite deposits that line fractures giving a visual of crackle. Arguments carry on that glass is liquid and that changes are constant.

How do I know know this? Bought one and been there! Thought the same as you. Rosa and Bristol Yellow are more susceptible to this reaction. As previously mentioned in books and opinions, water (humidity) is the presiding factor.

Sorry but I have returned these pieces to the seller unless examples were needed for research. What you have in my opinion is “sick glass”.

Rande Bly