Waterford Crystal is a trademark brand of crystal glassware produced in Waterford, Ireland, and in recent years (largely as sub-brands) in other locations, by the company Waterford Wedgwood plc., previously trading as Waterford Glass Ltd. During our trip to Ireland we have taken a trip around the factory to have a closer look on the production process. You can take a virtual tour here: http://www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com/tor_intro.shtml . These sentences from virtual tour describe this picture the best:

'Nothing compares with the atmosphere of the furnace room. The first surprise is the noise and the air; then you’ll feel the heat and sense the activity of a factory that is truly alive.

In front of your eyes, you will see red-hot molten crystal take shape, in a miracle of light, heat and skill. Our craftspeople are meticulous and you can watch as they transform glowing balls of molten crystal into elegant shapes with skills that have made two hundred years of perfection clearly visible in every piece.'