Glassware can be defined as any container or tableware made of glass. However, in today�s loose definition of the word, glassware has become synonymous with drinking vessels made of glass although it really encompasses a whole range of beverage glasses, pitchers, glass plates and platters and even decorative items made of glass. For most of us, a glass is a glass. However, there are different kinds of glassware according to production, material and usage. Glassware can be blown, moulded, cut or pressed.Blown glass was introduced by the Phoenicians in 50 B.C. The technique calls for inflating (blowing) molten glass into a bubble through a blowpipe. A gafter or glassblower does the �blowing� and the glass is formed. The art survived and thrived. Manual blown glass might not be a popular way to make drinking glasses today but an art form evolved out of the process. Moulded glass is easy enough to comprehend. The process involves pouring molten glass into a box mould. Pressed glass is a variation where molten glass is pressed into a mould with the help of a plunger. Cut glass involves two procedures � blowing and cutting. The glass is first blown into its desired shape. The glass vehicle, usually a bowl or a goblet, is thick to allow for the cutting of facets. The facets are usually done in simple or complicated patterns.Glassware can be made of different materials. Typically, glassware is made of silica, soda ash, dolomite, limestone and salt cake. Glassware is fragile and can be easily damaged by even the lightest bump or impact. However, there is glassware that is quite durable because it went through a process of glass lamination. The lamination thermally bonds two clear layers of glass to a core layer. This process results in durable glassware that does not easily break, crack or chip. When lead is added to glassware, crystal is produced. Fine crystal is a sought-after type of glassware as it is beautiful and durable. There are heat-resistant glassware too that are very practical to use. This type of glassware was treated to be able to withstand high temperature. However, they are susceptible to breaking too when exposed to extreme changes in temperature.It is usual to see four general types of �drinking� glasses in most glassware retail stores � barware, everyday drinking glasses, stemware and tumbler. Under barware is a list of the varied types of glassware used for alcoholic beverages � beer mug, shot glass, sherry glass, high ball glass, Collins glass and other stemmed glasses used for wines and champagne. Tumbler is any flat-bottomed glass drinking vessel usually used for iced tea or fruit juices. A water glass and a shot glass also fall under the tumbler category. Everyday drinking glasses are also termed drinkware or beverageware. Stemware is any drinking vessel with a stem though the term usually refers to glass and crystals. Plastic, metals and even stone drinking vessels with a stem are also called stemware.

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