When you look at a beautiful piece of cut crystal, some pieces just seem to have more life than others. Even when you’re shopping online and can’t pick the piece up yourself, there are still several things you can look for. Start with the sparkle. A quality piece should catch the light beautifully. The cuts should look bright and crisp, not dull or flat. You’ll often see flashes of light coming from the different facets. Then look at the cuts themselves. On a well-made piece, the pattern should look sharp, deep, and precise. Stars, diamonds, fans, and crosshatching should be clean and balanced. The more complicated the pattern, the more impressive that level of precision becomes. You can also look at the overall shape. Better pieces often have a substantial appearance, with enough thickness to allow for deep cutting. They should look well proportioned and carefully finished. If you are able to handle a piece in person, there are a few more clues. Fine lead crystal often feels surprisingly heavy for its size. The cuts may feel sharp and distinct under your fingertips, and some pieces will produce a clear, ringing tone when gently tapped. A signature can certainly be important, but it isn’t everything. Many excellent pieces were never signed. For me, the best pieces usually have a combination of brilliance, deep cutting, precision, balance, and a substantial feel. Those are the qualities that make a piece stand out, even before you know who made it.