Soda-lime glass

Soda-lime glass is a common family of silicate glass. Its composition includes silica together with sodium oxide and calcium oxide. Formulations vary, so the material name identifies a glass family rather than one fixed recipe or a particular glassworks.

A material with many uses

The Corning Museum of Glass describes soda-lime glass as historically the most common form of glass. When hot, it remains workable across a relatively broad temperature range. It is relevant to both utilitarian and decorative objects.

One specific modern example is Norgesglasset’s 37 cl storage jar with a plastic lid, which Hadeland describes as soda glass. That specification applies to the particular product. It does not automatically establish the composition or washing instructions of an older jar with a similar name.

Distinguishing glass families

Borosilicate glass has a different composition and generally greater resistance to rapid temperature changes. This does not justify heat-testing unidentified antique glass to establish its material. Appearance alone is not a precise chemical analysis either.

When assessing older objects, record material, manufacturing technique, decoration and condition separately. As a practical example, two bottles can have the same shape but different marks and documented origins. Retain base marks, labels and any associated information.

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Browse current glass and crystal objects. If you wish to sell glass, send photographs of the complete object, its base and any marks through OBA’s buying and selling page.