In response to Jeremy Hayes on the greasy feel of glass paperweights from China put in a cabinet,
He may be referring to this:

Stage 1: Initial Stage

Presence of alkali on the glass gives the surface a cloudy or hazy appearance. Tiny droplets or fine crystals can form if there is high (above 55%) or low (below 40%) relative humidity. Glass may feel slippery or slimy. Washing will remove alkali from the surface and the glass will look great.

No amount of washing will eliminate the greasy surface returning It is due to an imbalance of soda ash in the original glass formula It may not end up crizzling. I do not think so. I have had the same issue on some American made goblets.

Shari Maxson Hopper

Hello Jeremy,

Your paperweights have the same problem of a great deal of Mexican glass …..too much lime in the batch has always been my understanding. The greasy substance which comes off on your fingers should have a sour smell. It has also been my understanding that this type of glass is subject to crizzling because it is breaking down.

Regards,

David P. Donaldson, MFA