• Napkins Web
• Let Novelty Cocktail Napkins Set The Tone
• Selecting your Wedding Napkins
• The Elegance Of Linen Napkins
• Crystal Napkin Rings - A Touch Of Class
• Indispensable Napkin Dispensers
• Napkin Rings - The Basics
• Folding Napkins Made Simple And Easy
• Make Your Party Memorable With Printed Napkins
• An Artistic Touch With Beaded Napkin Rings
• Cocktail Napkin Holders - Practical And Whimsical
• The Simplicity Of Paper Napkins
• Pomeranian Napkin Holders And Beyond… A Gift Guide For Pomeranian Lovers
• Napkin Etiquette
• Placemats And Napkins - Beyond The Basics
• Bulk Napkin Dispensers: A Symbol Of Yesteryear?
• Celebrate With Christmas Napkins
• Add Pizzazz With Cocktail Napkins
• Napkin Folding Dos And Don'ts

Crystal Napkin Rings - A Touch Of Class

Whether you are planning an elegant dinner party or just want to make an ordinary meal special, cloth napkins can add a nice touch. Some people are great at tying napkins into all kinds of fancy shapes, but if you are not so inclined, napkin rings are a very classy addition to any table. And what could be more tasteful and sophisticated than crystal napkin rings? Picture a table set with a fine linen tablecloth, matching napkins enclosed with crystal, bone china, sterling silver, crystal stemware and a floral centerpiece. It is a table that anyone would be honored to sit down to.

Crystal napkin rings can be purchased anywhere that fine crystal is sold, whether it be large department stores or specialty gift shops. Having matching stemware, candlesticks, and vases to go with the napkin rings can make your table truly sparkle. There are also Web sites where you can purchase crystal napkin rings made by specialty craftsmen from all over the world. Visit www.novascotiancrystal.com for just a few examples. The cost for a basic pattern is around $35 per napkin ring.

It takes ten years to become a master craftsman in the art of crystal making. Sand is combined with other ingredients and melted at a very high temperature. Just the right amount is taken from a mix resembling hot lava, and then air is breathed into a pipe while twisting and turning the object into the desired shape. After 24 hours of cooling, the piece is passed to a cutter whose job is to release the light in the crystal. Using a diamond-tipped cutting wheel, all kinds of shapes and patterns are etched into the glass, sometimes as many as several hundred cuts in one object.

Proper care of crystal is essential. If you need to wash your napkin rings, only use warm water for both washing and rinsing. Changes in temperature can cause cracking and clouding. It is recommended that crystal always be hand washed and dried with a clean cotton towel immediately after. If the napkin rings start looking hazy or cloudy, clean with a hard water stain remover such as CLR or Lime Away. Store your crystal napkin rings where they will not touch any other pieces.

For a traditional fifteenth anniversary, crystal is the gift of choice. What better way to celebrate than a gift of crystal napkin rings? It is a present they will want to use for every special occasion, and with the long-lasting qualities of pure crystal it is something they can pass down for generations to come.