Know-how
It is by the hand of Man that exceptional pieces are born.
blowing
The work of creation is an essential stage because it is at this moment that the first lines of a collection, a design, a new poetry are laid down on paper.
Once the prototype is complete, the manufacturing process can start at the factory.
Crystal magic occurs when molten matter forms a glowing ball at a temperature of 1200°C. The glass craftsmen must then perform a continuous rotation of the rod in order to obtain a homogeneous shape.
Cristallerie de Montbronn specializes in the production of made-to-measure moulds, which allows us to constantly expand our collections. Drawings and prototypes are produced in our offices. The manufacture of the molds is entrusted to a specialist and carried out in a short time.
The size
The work of the size takes place cold, when the crystal has been blown beforehand and the shape of the piece shaped.
Roughing and cutting are carried out using sandstone or diamond grinding wheels rotating at very high speed. On this millstone flows a trickle of water mixed with sand: the water is intended to cool the piece; the sand reinforces the work of the grinding wheel.
The pieces made by Cristallerie de Montbronn are distinguished by a very wide variety of crystal cuts, from the most traditional (diamonds, stars, flat edges, bevels, etc.) to the most modern.
This work is carried out with great skill, sometimes playing with the resistance of the material.
Freehand carving gives each piece its unique character. It is by the hand of man that exceptional pieces are born.
polishing
The polishing of the crystal makes it possible to remove from the surface of the piece traces of tools, of mold and makes it possible to give the material its polish and its shine.
Cristallerie de Montbronn has its own polishing station which is left in the hands of an expert in the field, Freddy. By this chemical polishing, the part is soaked in a bath of hydrofluoric acid. In contact with the acid, the crystal regains its original shine and gives a clear and shiny appearance to the material.
Mechanical polishing is also used by Cristallerie de Montbronn. The crystal piece is here polished with a polishing wheel when acid polishing is not suitable.
Polishing is the intermediate step before gilding and signing.
gilding
Once the glass has been cut and polished, gilding is the final step, but also the longest, in the making of a crystal piece. Indeed, gilding requires more than 20 steps on a product to achieve the desired result.
Virginie, crystal decorator at the Cristallerie de Montbronn, lays an asphalt on the glass with the drawing of the desired design. The piece is fully protected to leave only the drawing visible. A final step will be necessary to allow the drawing to reveal itself.
The crystal gilding is applied with a brush to the inlaid parts.
The piece is then fired in the oven to fix the gilding and is polished with a mineral to make the gold shiny.
Today, we are proud to be able to offer you 5 precious finish colours: pink gold, matte gold, shiny gold, platinum and black chrome.
The bronze
Working in close collaboration with foundries in the Grand Est region, Cristallerie de Montbronn offers majestic pieces combining crystal with bronze. The bronze pieces are cast in molds belonging to Cristallerie de Montbronn. The parts are made to order and arrive in our workshops in spare parts.
The welding work is entirely carried out in our workshops, by our master bronzier, Denis.
Once the composition of the bronze piece is completed, the skeleton is sent to the gilding. The piece is then completely immersed in a bath of 24-carat gold or in a bath of platinum.
The assembly of bronze and crystal parts are made in our workshops.
The many skills of the Cristallerie de Montbronn house have been recognized by obtaining the prestigious Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label.
The Cristallerie de Montbronn is federated by the Ateliers d'Art de France, which highlights the French know-how of excellence.
