Most acid etched forgeries have traditionally been made with rubber stamps. Steps in making a new rubber stamp to apply the forged marks are simple and inexpensive. The new rubber stamps with forged marks made for this article cost an average of about $8-10 each.
The most frequently forged acid stamped marks are those on American Brilliant Period cut glass. Forged marks on cut glass are so common that most advanced cut glass collectors ignore acid stamped marks altogether. Experienced cut glass collectors and dealers who specialize in cut glass, generally focus on the pattern, shape and quality of cutting not on marks or signatures.
“Almost all desirable old cut glass can be attributed to specific companies by patterns and shapes in cut glass catalogs and reference books,” said one advanced cut glass collector interviewed for this article. “About the only people interested in acid stamped marks are beginning collectors or dealers that handle a general line. As long as someone is willing to pay extra for a marked piece, unethical people will fill that demand by applying forged marks.”
The collector went on to say that as much as 30 to 40 of all acid marked pieces he has seen have been forged. Either new marks were on new glass, new marks were on originally unmarked old glass or the company name stamped on an old piece was not the company that actually made the old piece (such as a Libbey mark on a Hawkes pattern for example).
There is a method used for forging acid marks that has not been widely reported. This method is to convert original artwork into a self-adhesive stencil—the areas to be etched in acid are open, those areas not to be etched are protected (Fig. 6).
These stencils can be made up in advance and carried around until needed. They are used by first rubbing the stencil onto the piece of glass to be marked (Fig. 5) and then brushing on the acid. Rinsing the stencil under ordinary water removes the stencil material and leaves the acid etched mark.
This means forged marks can now be applied on tightly curved surfaces and small difficult to reach areas that were virtually impossible to mark with rubber stamps. This includes under lips and rims of pitchers, the back side of handles (the side that faces the pitcher) and around stoppers.
There is some disagreement about how to detect forged marks. Some cut glass specialists insist that any smudged mark is new; others think at least some original marks were also smudged when applied. Some say old marks should show signs of wear and be hard to see; others say old original acid marks should still be relatively sharp and crisp.
One of the most effective ways to date marks was to inspect them with a 10X loupe. Old scratches in an original mark on an old piece of glass will be unfrosted because the glass and mark were scratched at the same time. If a new mark is applied to genuinely old glass with old normal scratches, the new mark will fill in the old scratch with acid and the scratch will be frosted. New marks on new glass will show no normal wear to either glass or mark and should be suspect for lack of wear.
The best way to avoid forged marks is to refuse to pay higher prices for marked examples. Without a demand, forged acid marks would likely disappear.
Fig. 1 A metal engraving is the first step in making a rubber stamp. This engraving includes stamps for Clark and Libbey cut glass, Steuben, Baccarat and other glass trademarks. Engraving can be made from art work found in books and catalogs.
Fig. 2 The metal engraving is then used to make a mold. This mold has been made from the engraving in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 Next, a sheet of rubber is pressed into the mold. The rubber is heated, or vulcanized, and “sets” permanently in the shape of the mold. The rubber sheet is allowed to cool then trimmed and glued to a handle.
Fig. 4 An acid stamped mark made with the new Libbey stamp shown in Fig. 3. Enlarged to show detail.
Figs. 5-6 The latest hi-tech method of forging acid marks is with self-adhesive stencils. One of the stencils is shown here applied to an ordinary household glass tumbler. Once the master artwork is made, any number of stencils can be produced. Stencils are self adhesive and applied by rubbing. Acid is then brushed on and then flushed off with water. The acrylic stencil dissolves in the water leaving the acid etched mark.
Stencils have about a six month shelf life and can be carried in wallets or purses without damage. Applying a stencil takes about 30 seconds. Although the stencils take slightly longer than rubber stamping a mark, they can produce very fine lines and small details. Stencils can be made with an exposure unit that costs around $400. No special skills are required to either make or use the stencils. All materials are easily purchased over the counter or by mail.
Fig. 7 Generally, old scratches cut through genuinely old acid marks (above, left). New marks applied over old scratches fill with acid and the acid tends to run along the scratches outside the edges of the letters (above right). Real Or Repro is an industry resource powered by a vetted marketplace of dealers and winner of numerous Ecommerce Bytes Sellers Choice awards for Quality, Usability, Customer Service, Communications and Most Recommended Selling VenueSo now, Our Ruby Lane Shop Owners
If you start to notice small scratches on the base, which is normal, odds are its having an affect on the acid mark as well. The sun also plays a major role, if its left in the sun for too long, it will fade.
But, the most common reason the acid etch mark cannot be found, is that it simply fades away. No kidding, when a piece gets old and the acid mark is on the base, it simply becomes faint and eventually fades away from moving it around.
There may be just a part of the name “Waterford” left there. Think mili-meters! Also, not questioning your eyesight or anything, but maybe a fresh pair of eyes might want to take a look for this small acid logo.
If your Waterford Crystal piece is over 20 years old, its possible that the acid etch mark faded away from wear n tear. Just one more thing, in the past I’ve had trouble locating the stamp myself, because it was faded. The only way I could see it, is if I tilted the piece at an angle, in the outside light on a sunny day. You might want to try that?
Other times it simply gets forgotten because its a “special piece” and never makes it to the final stage of acid etch mark. The acid mark is a stamp just like a notary public uses, except its laced with acid and rectangular in shape.
Method 1Method 1 of 3:Identifying by Acid Stamps
Community Answer I have a bowl with the seahorse Waterford symbol. It has a W on the bottom. it is a 12″ short-footed bowl with fan arches. Community Answer Mine have the Waterford etched on towards the bottom. It is very clear. 
Community Answer Yes, each individual piece should bear the mark. Advertisement
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To identify Waterford crystal, hold the item up the light and use a magnifying glass to locate an acid stamp that says “Waterford.” Alternatively, if the item was made after 2000, look for an acid stamp in the shape of a seahorse. You can also look for a gold sticker featuring Waterford’s green seahorse emblem. However, be aware that an inauthentic item may have a sticker that was transferred from a genuine Waterford. In order to verify that your piece is authentic, you should consider having it examined it by an expert. For more advice, including how to identify genuine crystal by its weight and sound, keep reading.
Gayle Waggy “My 2x great grandfather William Malcolm moved to the USA from Manchester, England, and enlisted in the Army during the Civil War. William was captured and held at Andersonville Stockade for 10 months. He returned to England, married Eliza in Lancashire. The crystal vase was a wedding gift. William and Eliza went to USA, taking the vase with them then back to the UK. The vase was handed down to their daughter, then my mum and finally to me. Love to know if Waterford.”…” more 
FAQ
What is the Waterford acid Mark?
Does Waterford crystal always have a mark?
It will most likely appear on the stem’s base, but can also be found in the grooves as well. Pieces made prior to 2000 will have the company name in a Gothic-script, while newer pieces include the company’s seahorse trademark.
