Crystal stemware is really tricky to move. It is fragile and often very valuable. It has a weird shape. You cannot just put it in a box, like you do with books or clothes. If the load in the truck shifts the crystal stemware can break easily.

This guide will show you how to pack crystal stemware the right way. It will tell you what materials to use and what people usually do wrong when they pack crystal stemware.

What Makes Crystal Different From Regular Glassware

Crystal is different from glassware, because it is thinner and more brittle. It can also get damaged, if it gets too hot or too cold suddenly. This is why you should not pack crystal stemware near the outside of the truck, when you are moving in the winter. You should also not leave the boxes in a car for a long time in the summer.

The stem of the crystal stemware is the part that breaks the easiest. It is narrow. It has to hold the weight of the bowl. It also cannot bend much. This is why the stem is the part that breaks when the box gets squeezed or bumped during the move.

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What You Need to Get Before You Start

You need to get all the materials you need before you start packing the crystal stemware. If you do not have everything you need, you might have to take shortcuts, which can be bad.

You need packing paper or acid-free tissue paper. You should not use newspaper, because the ink can stick to the crystal stemware, especially if it gets wet.
You need bubble wrap to use as a layer.
You need cell boxes or dish-pack boxes with cardboard dividers.
You need packing tape.
You need a marker to label the boxes.

Note on bubble wrap

You should not use bubble wrap directly on the crystal stemware, because it can stick to it or make it break easily. You should use packing paper first. Then add bubble wrap over it.

Packing Material Comparison

MATERIAL	BEST USE	LIMITATION
Unprinted packing paper	First wrap layer	No shock absorption on its own
Bubble wrap	Second layer over paper	Can stick to glass if used directly
Foam sheets	Lining box walls	Adds cost
Clothing (soft items)	Gap filler inside box	Not reliable as primary wrap

Step-by-Step: Wrapping Each Glass

You need to lay a sheet of packing paper flat on a table.
Put the crystal stemware on its side near one corner of the paper with the stem pointing towards the edge of the paper.
You need to roll the crystal stemware, putting the paper into the bowl and around the stem as you go.
When you have rolled the crystal stemware all the way, you need to fold the paper over and secure it lightly with tape.
If you are moving a distance, you need to add a second layer of bubble wrap over the paper.

You need to wrap each piece of crystal stemware. You should not wrap them together.

The Stem Problem

This is where people usually make mistakes. If you put the crystal stemware upright in the box, all the stress from the movement will be on the stem. Instead you need to lay the wrapped crystal stemware on its side in the box. The stem should be perpendicular to the corner of the divider not touching it.

You may want to buy cell boxes with individual compartments. These boxes will keep the crystal stemware from touching each other which is the reason why they break during the move. You can also use a division box that is designed for wine bottles, if you cannot find cell boxes.

Before you put any crystal stemware in the box, you need to make a layer of crumpled packing paper or folded towels at the bottom. This layer should be at least 2 inches deep. After each layer of crystal stemware, you need to add another layer of cushioning before you put the row on top.

Sealing, Labeling and Loading

When the box’s full, you need to press down gently on it. You should not feel any movement. If you do feel movement, you need to add crumpled paper. You should not squeeze the contents of the box tight. You just need to fill the empty space.

Seal the bottom of the box with two strips of tape before you start packing. You need to seal the top of the box with at least three strips of tape. Label all four sides of the box “FRAGILE. CRYSTAL” in letters. You also need to label which side of the box should be facing up.

When you are loading the box you need to put it on top of items. You should not put boxes on top of the crystal stemware. You should put the box between items, like pillows or blankets to reduce movement during the drive.

One Thing That People Often Forget

If you are moving a distance, you need to tell the movers which boxes contain crystal stemware. Plus, remind them on the day of the move. Even if the boxes are labeled clearly the movers might still put them in the place during the busy loading process. It only takes a minute to tell the movers about the crystal stemware, but it can prevent a big loss.