When it comes to paying a high price for an object, customers, even those who have the money, look for a good reason to buy it. There are brands that are well-known for being expensive, such as Baccarat. Although this might suggest that there are plenty of reasons why this brand is so pricey, many people still wonder what they are. This article will briefly explain why Baccarat is not only expensive but also worth it. See Why Is Baccarat Crystal So Expensive?
Baccarat owns its expensiveness for multiple reasons, like the prestige that the brand communicates, its quality, uniqueness, and beauty. Baccarat’s history and manufacturing process are also what people feel attracted to when buying any piece. Keep reading to fully understand these reasons and more.
Baccarat
The French fine crystalware manufacturer known as Baccarat was founded centuries ago, in the namesake village located in France. It produces exquisite pieces made from hand-blown crystals, such as tableware, vases, lamps, chandeliers, and jewelry. Currently, the brand is owned by Starwood Capital Group.
There are little more than 24 fine stores in America that sell Baccarat, which makes it highly prestigious. Besides, the brand owns two museums dedicated to sharing with the world its glorious creations: one in Baccarat, and the other in Paris.
Why Is Baccarat So Expensive?
The legacy of Baccarat has made it an exceptionally luxury brand, and the reason why is not one but multiple. Some of them are the beauty and uniqueness of Baccarat’s pieces, its history across centuries, and, of course, the materials it is made of and its manufacturing process. All these features have also evolved into an unparalleled prestigious image for Baccarat.
Typical Pricing
Baccarat’s pieces are mostly rare, so they do not cost the same. However, speaking of product categories is possible to come to a pricing average:
- Vases and bowls – From $500 to $20,000.
- Wine and water glasses – From $200 to $600 (each glass).
- Candelabras, candle holders, and votives – From $500 to $10,000.
- Chandeliers – From $20,000 to $500,000.
Baccarat’s Beauty And Uniqueness
It might not be a surprise to know that many people are willing to pay for something just because it is beautiful. This is also the case for Baccarat. The crystal itself is elegant and shiny, but Baccarat’s crystal takes that natural beauty to a whole new level.
Baccarat designs have in mind a precise appearance for its pieces, so every product is quite unique. Each one bears the creativity of a top artistic mind, which is also an added value for the brand.
Baccarat’s History
Baccarat did not start as a luxury brand. Let’s review the overall of its long history to understand how important it is for customers:
- The brand originally created glassware as an initiative of the Bishop of Metz to encourage industry in the town of Baccarat in 1765.
- Baccarat survived many wars (like the French Revolution) and even ended up expatriated from France after the creation of a new frontier and the country of Belgium.
- After much work, Baccarat was re-established in France, this time as a crystalware maker.
- Over the years, Baccarat kept on innovating its techniques, ending up creating the finest crystalware.
- The brand changed owners in 1822, but the quality remained the same.
- Baccarat began to be well-known at major crystal exhibitions in Paris.
Today, the work of Baccarat relies on expert glassworkers that have dedicated their life (across generations) to keep creating superb crystal goods.
Baccarat’s Manufacturing Process
Every Baccarat product goes through a specialized process to be crafted.
- First, the raw materials are exposed to extremely high temperatures (over 4,000° C) in furnaces. A lot of time and energy are needed so the furnaces can attain such conditions.
- After melting, the materials are put into a mold and then back in the furnace again.
- Baccarat also employs hand-blowing to mold the glass into the right shape.
- After molded properly, the piece is dried.
- Once dried, decoration takes place. One basic Baccarat decoration method is the application of gold powder (gilding).
- Extra decorations are added after gilding and, finally, the piece is engraved if desired.
Material Strength And Quality
Baccarat crystalware is very resistant, although it looks extremely fragile. The way to achieve such strength is by adding strengthening materials to the glass, such as potassium carbonate, metal-oxide, lead-oxide, or silica. By using these materials, instead of soda lime (used by other crystal makers), Baccarat attains a more intense sparkling effect.
Baccarat’s crystal has a density of 2.9 grams (or more) per cubic centimeter, while its refractive index is a little higher than 1.5454. Notice that a small refractive index means that light propagates faster through a material.
Baccarat’s Prestigious Image
Owning a Baccarat piece is an ultimate sign of prestige. For this reason, people that belong to upper social classes prefer it, as Baccarat reflects their status. A Baccarat possession speaks about the splendor of a person’s life beyond communicable words. This is why it is common to find Baccarat in luxury hotels, yachts, jets, and every location that is considered high-end.
Since the brand’s image is extremely important for people that own a Baccarat, most items include the name “Baccarat” or a simple “B” on them. This sign reveals the object’s provenance.
Baccarat’s Delivery And Insurance
As it was stated in the history section, Baccarat was created in Baccarat, France, and currently, all pieces keep on being manufactured there. This means that buying from the brand implies buying the product plus paying for the delivery. Even speaking of the few fine stores that sell the brand, the price to transport Baccarat pieces is very high due to their fragility.
In sum, having a Baccarat delivered is not only pricey but also risky, that is why many customers have to pay for an insurance delivery. Once they get the product, they will probably also pay for homeowner insurance to guarantee that nothing ever happens to their precious possession.
Conclusion
Baccarat is a very expensive crystalware brand that is really worth its price. Customers have several reasons to buy a Baccarat piece, protect it and treasure it, like the preciousness and uniqueness of every piece. The exquisite process that gives life to the products is also praised by experts. However, most people are likely to buy Baccarat because it reveals splendor. Overall, the brand is highly valuable and it does not seem like this will change any time soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What crystal brands compete with Baccarat?
Some of Baccarat’s competitors are Swarovski, Steuben, Daum, and Tiffany.
Does Baccarat typically hold its original value?
Since Baccarat has remained rare across time, the pieces typically hold their value. However, proper care of the pieces is mandatory.