How to Tell If Baccarat Crystal Is Real: 7 Checks Before You Buy

Baccarat has made crystal in France since 1764, and its pieces hold their value, which is exactly why look-alikes and mislabelled glass turn up on resale sites. None of the checks below is proof on its own, but together they will tell you a lot before you pay.

1. The signature on the base

Turn the piece over. Genuine Baccarat is marked on the base with an acid-etched (frosted) signature, usually the word Baccarat, often with France, and on many pieces the round Baccarat logo showing a decanter, a stemmed glass and a tumbler. The mark should be crisp, evenly frosted and centred. It should not be printed, painted, engraved by hand or on a sticker. A sticker alone proves nothing, and a missing mark is a reason to ask questions.

2. Weight and clarity

Baccarat is full lead crystal, so a piece feels noticeably heavier than ordinary glass of the same size. Hold it up to the light: clear Baccarat is bright and colourless with no grey or green tint, and coloured pieces such as the red of the Mille Nuits or Harcourt collections are rich and even, without streaks or cloudy patches.

3. The ring

Gently flick the rim of a glass or vase with a fingernail. Crystal rings with a clear, lasting tone; ordinary glass gives a short, dull clink. (Skip this on thin stems or anything you're not sure about.)

4. Cutting and finishing

Look at the facets on cut pieces like Harcourt or Massena: edges are sharp and even, the cuts line up all the way round, and the polish is smooth. Mould seams, rough edges, bubbles or a wavy surface are signs of mass-produced glass.

5. The reference number

Every current Baccarat piece has a reference number, usually seven digits, such as 2600703 for the Hurricane vase. It appears on the box label and on the seller's listing. Check that the name, size and colour match that reference. A reputable seller will always give you the reference number before you buy. At WristArc, every piece is listed with its reference.

6. The box

New Baccarat comes in the brand's signature red box, with a label showing the name and reference number. The box helps, and buying "new in box" is the safest way to buy, but boxes can be reused, so check the piece itself too.

7. A price that makes sense

Genuine Baccarat sells below retail through dealers, but not at a fraction of it. If a Harcourt glass or a zodiac figurine is offered at a small fraction of its retail price, be cautious, and ask for the reference number and clear photos of the base.

Buying Baccarat in Miami

WristArc keeps a large stock of authentic Baccarat in Miami, from Harcourt and Massena stemware to Mille Nuits candleholders, vases and the zodiac figurines. Every piece is priced under Baccarat retail and listed with its reference number. We're glad to send extra photos, including the base, before you buy, and we ship fully insured across the US. Buying several pieces for a store, hotel or event? Ask about bulk pricing.

• Shop Baccarat crystal below retail
• Bulk & trade pricing