The glass cut during this period had fewer impurities, was heavier because of its lead content, and had original and intricately cut patterns. English glass had a slightly yellowish cast and weighed less while Irish and Bohemian glass had a slightly grayish cast. American glass from this period is appreciated because of the variety of pieces and the exquisite, labor-intensive cuts. Flowers, mainly daises, were frequently used. Cost-cutting efforts produced a gradual decline in the quality of glass during this time.
Considerable knowledge is needed to select good pieces of brilliant cut glass.
The first brilliant cut glass was hand- polished with a wooden wheel and pumice while brushes containing an abrasive polished the smaller parts. Later, to cut costs, an acid bath was used which softened the sharp cuts, and diminished the brilliance. The acid gave a watery, highly glossy look to the clear parts and the shine was not as natural as hand polishing. The blank should be thick, heavy, and have a luster with a blue-white clarity. Figured blanks, which had part of the design molded in it, were used by some factories in the latter part of the Brilliant Period to cut costs.