crizzled glass

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July 16, 2026

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Crizzling refers to a blemish on a surface, most commonly seen on glass, characterized by a crumpled or roughened appearance. This deterioration occurs when water, especially acidic rainwater, extracts alkali from the glass's silica network. The alkali leaches to the surface, attracting more water and causing microfractures and a cloudy look. This process, sometimes called "weeping," can result in an opalescent or pearlescent surface with multiple colors, particularly on ancient or archaeological glass. While a natural deterioration process, it was also intentionally reproduced for decorative effects in Art Nouveau glass.12

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art conservation and restoration
Glass and other vitreous materials
This is termed “crizzled” glass. The formation of soluble alkalies at the surface can cause a flaking of thin layers there, resulting in layers that become detached and reflect and refract light differently from that of the glass body. The result is often an opalescent and pearlescent surface…
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This is termed “crizzled” glass. The formation of soluble alkalies at the surface can cause a flaking of thin layers there, resulting in layers that become detached and reflect and refract light differently from that of the glass body. The result is often an opalescent and pearlescent surface…
Read More