| Some tips for lovers of Crystal |
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| A piece of Vilca Crystal is
Just the beginning of a marvellous story: beautiful and precious objects
are born from the love of those who make them but they only continue to
live thanks to the love of those who use them. Before buying an object made from Crystal, don’t be fooled make sure it is certified with over 24% of lead. When removing the label from your new crystal, don’t use objects that could scratch the surface but use a air dryer and a soft cloth soaked in acetone, for example. It is important to prepare Crystal decanters and carafes for the first time by filling them with equal parts of vinegar or lemon juice and water; after 24 hours empty them and rinse with hot water. For the first time hand wash crystal with hot water and a mild liquid detergent especially, if it is used to contain liquids (see liqueurs) for a long time. You may then choose to wash crystal with hot water Crystal in the dishwasher, loading it so that the pieces of Crystal do not touch each other or move too much. Always keep the washing cycle short and temperature low, use mild detergent and a tepid drying cycle. When washing by hand a few but obvious precautions must be observed. Do not knock the Crystal against the sink or the tap. Remove your tings as they could damage the purity of your Crystal. Wash the Crystal on safe surface preferably plastic, with hot water and a mild liquid detergent or special detergent for porcelain and Crystal. Use a sponge or a soft cloth and rinse with clean hot water. Dry lightly with a soft cloth without twisting the stems of goblets. After using your Vilca Crystal, do not store it upside down (see stemware) or on shelves made of metal or other hard surfaces such as stone or glass itself. Make sure the surrounding temperature is normal and do not keep the pieces of Crystal too close to one another or to other objects. Never stack them. |
| The purity of Crystal
is maintained by cleaning the stains left by tap water with a soft cloth
soaked in vinegar, that should also be added, when necessary to detergent
during normal washing. To clean residues and matt films on Crystal, use equal parts of vinegar or lemon juice and hot water. Fill the article and let the solution work for a few hours 3 o 4 then empty and rinse with hot water. For difficult areas or corners that are impossible to clean, use the same solution of vinegar and water adding uncooked rise. Shake the decanter or the carafe and rice will clean the internal ovens. Crystal is sensitive to hot and cold water or other liquids, which could cause irreparable fractures. Do not put Crystal in freezer of fridge or microwave or traditional ovens. To sum up, if you want your Vilca Crystal to remain transparent and beautiful for ever, clean it regularly treat it with care and store it in an appropriate place. But above all, use it regularly and love it as much as its creators have done. |
| Public opinion is extremely
aware of issues regarding the toxicity of articles produced for alimentary
use and has raised questions concerning the presence of certain substances
in crystal that are potentially harmful to health. The substance present in crystal which has most interested researchers in recent years is lead. Recent and sophisticated scientific research carried out on behalf of Vilca, aimed at highlighting the aesthetic characteristics of the product as well as the stability of its elements, have enabled the company to alter its crystal composition so as to comply with EEC law, as proved by the lead release indexes of Vilca crystal that is regularly tested and indicated in the guarantee attached to each article placed on sale. The aesthetic result is further highlighted by scientific testing of refraction, hydrolytic classification and percentage of lead content. Lead release tests on containers in lead crystal that will come into contact with food and drink are carried out by filling three goblets with 150ml of 3% acetic acid solution. These goblets are left in an oven at 40C for 24 hours after which three successive contact tests are carried out. After this treatment, the resulting acetic extract is tested for lead content by means of a atomic absorption flame spectrometer. The composition of Vilca crystal is tested monthly by the Istituto Superiore del Vetro e del Cristallo, the only legally authorised institute, and constantly shows the following values: a- lead content, over 24% b- very high refractive index, over 1,56 c- class 3 hydrolytic classification d- lead release less than 0.12 PPM These values are unequivocal proof of the high quality of Vilca crystal and its properties of refraction and translucency, in perfect harmony with mankind and his environment. |