galeforce

We are planning a trip to CZ early next year and plan to visit Prague, Èeské Budìjovice, Plzen, and Èeský Krumlov. Does anyone know where the best and least expensive place would be to buy good quality Czech Crystal?

Christina

I'm not positive about this, and don't buy tons of stuff when I'm on vacation, but I would bet on Prague as your best bet in that list. First, it's a major city with lots of competition, so I think you'll find the best selection and reasonable prices. Cesky Krumlov is a very small tourist town, so they have a captive audience, and wouldn't think you could get any great bargains there, or that they are known for crystal. I haven't been to Plzen, so I really don't know about crystal there, but I just think about it for beer. I've been to Cesky Budejovice, but didn't look for crystal, but I don't think it's known for that--it's another beer place, being the home of the original Budweiser. Karlovy Vary, up west of Prague, is known for its crystal, however, and has dozens of shops. I think I've heard their prices can be lower than Prague, but I don't know myself.

Just about every other store in Prague seems to sell crystal, and a lot of it is the standard, marked quality. Just depends what level you are talking about, as you can go very expensive at Moser's or somewhere. I just bought some wine glasses and a vase, and liked the selection and prices at Crystalex, which is a major store for that in Prague. They have several locations, but a big one not far from Old Town Square.

Viajero2

I bought a wonderful pair of Bohemia crystal candlesticks at a store near the Old Town Square. There are some good places also in the old Jewish neighborhood in Prague.

The crystal in Prague is truly amazing, but truth to be known you can find some bargains on Bohemia crystal even here in the US. That said, I paid 1/5 of what Macy's/NYC was charging for similar candlesticks.

A good friend found the best bargains at a factory just outside of Prague. She had the time to research the best price and place for a chandelier and boy-- did she find it! (circa 1999).

marginal_margiela

I have many pieces of Moser crystal, as it is the best Czech crystal. The main store is on Na Prikope in Prague.

ira

Hi G,

>..best and least expensive place ... to buy good quality Czech Crystal?

You can have best quality or least expensive, not both.

The very best will be at
Moser Glass
Na Prikope 12
Old Town, Prague 1
Czech Republic
Tel: 00420 224 211 293

Also sold at:
Tržiště 7 in Karlovy Vary

Prague - Na Příkopě 12, Malé náměstí 11, Staroměstské náměstí 27 (Erpet),

Brno - Náměstí Svobody 15

Český Krumlov - Široká 78

I have a champagne glass that was hand cut for me, while I watched, and shipped to my home in a velvet-lined box inside a corrugated box inside a wooden crate.

I use it to toast myself on my birthday.

See www.moser-glass.com/en/

galeforce

Thanks for the information. Looks like I'll stick with Prague or plan a trip to Karlovy Vary.

Mucky

Prague has all the selection in the world. We bought some lovely glasses at:
Rott Crystal
Address: Male Namesti 3, Old Town, Prague 1

I have been back for replacements too..lol

However as you are going to Plzen, there is a good shop there too just off the main square.
I can't remember the name but its on one of the many side roads.
Prices in Plzen were about 20% less than Prague but choice was not so great, but everything sold in Plzen could also be bought in Prague.

Muck

galeforce

Mucky, thanks for the addresses. I'll be sure to look them up. My family is from CZ and we have some very fine pieces of crystal from about late 1800s to early 1900s. It seems that the crystal that was exported during the communist occupation was 2nd rate and that they kept all the high quality items for themselves. I'm looking forward to buying a few nice pieces to bring back as gifts.

Zermatt2

I've only been to Prague, and there are a lot of places there to buy crystal/glass. I can't say if they're inexpensive, however, because I don't have anything else to compare. If you go up to the Prague Castle, as you walk through the area, towards the end is a street they call "The Golden Lane." There are a number of tiny but very colorful homes, most of which have been converted to shops. Franz Kafka used to live in one of these for a couple of years. On The Golden Lane are a couple of shops which sell really nice glass. I'd take a look at these if you have the time.

cmeyer54

the first thing I'd do is ask the shop keeper if they sell Moser Crystal. This is the best and most traditional of all the makers (think what visiting heads of state receive as a gift when they visit). YOu'll know if its a reputable spot if they do. Moser is quite expensive but the shop will also have other lines. I just think if you're going to buy something authentic, spend the $$. otherwise, you could end up with glasses that are also being given away at a bank for opening a checking account!

galeforce

Cmeyer: good point.

Mucky

"otherwise, you could end up with glasses that are also being given away at a bank for opening a checking account!"

And when you look around you will see that there are a few that could be used for that.
lol

Muck

hopscotch

We walked up and down the main street window shopping before buying cut stemware in Prague. Then we stopped in Karlstejn to see the castle and bought some more. Can't tell if it is top quality or not but it looks great.

cmeyer54

We got a few of those pieces for our wedding!! Nothing like a finding a sticker from 'first federal savings' on the bottom!!!

basingstoke2

You might also be tempted to buy garnets and amber. Be aware that much of the amber you see is manufactured and not natural - that is made from amber dust and chips that are molded into a piece. A good place will tell you what you are getting without you having to ask. A unique stone that is "native" to the area is Moldovite. It is a pretty shade of green and you may want to look for some.

Rachele

I agree on the Moser Crystal recommendation. I have gorgeous Moser crystal wine glasses in with a really unique stem. I've never seen anything else like them anywhere. I bought them in the shop in Prague near the main square in Old Town Prague.

I'm not much of a shopper when I travel, but I'm so glad I bought these. They are relatively expensive compared to other crystal in Prague, but they were worth it to me.

Maria_H

I've also got Czech family and have seen some lovely old family pieces of cut glass. To be honest, a lot of what we saw for sale in Prague was (to me) quite chunky and ugly, as well as expensive. I prefer the more delicate engraved glass and have some very fine engraved wine glasses, with gold highlighting the engraving. We were taken by my Czech cousin to a factory in Karolinka, Moravia, where we saw these and some cut glass being made - quite fascinating. Moser's is interesting to go round but quite expensive.

carylspall

We bought ours at a big hypermarket. Cheap, but nothing wrong with it!

galeforce

Thanks for the tip on Garnets. I was also thinking of bringing home several pieces for my Mother. I also like Moldovite.

I also agree on some of the crystal I have seen being chunky. The pieces my Mother has are quite elegant and delicate with gold leaf around the rims. We also have some beautiful bowls and vases that were my great grandfathers and he brought them with him when the immigrated to the US.