Cristal d'Arques

Welcome to our Cristal d'Arques boutique, a French tableware brand created in 1968 by the Arc International group, whose glassmaking roots in Arques (Pas-de-Calais) go back to 1825. Cristal d'Arques Paris was born from a major technical innovation: the automatic production of stemmed glasses in genuine crystal, which democratised crystal tableware across France and beyond. Since 2010, the brand uses Diamax, an extra-white and ultra-brilliant glass developed by the Arc laboratories, which extends the aesthetics of traditional crystal while adding clarity, resistance and dishwasher compatibility.

Cristal d'Arques expertise

The brand embodies the industrial heritage of the Arques glass cluster, one of the world's largest table-glass manufacturing sites. Cristal d'Arques addresses both service occasions and the everyday set table.

• Diamax material: extra-white glass with crystal-like brilliance, lead-free
• Cut patterns (Lady Diamond, Masquerade): the brand's signature faceting
• Stemmed glasses, tumblers, champagne flutes and decanters coordinated as ranges
• Dishwasher compatibility across most of the current Diamax catalogue
• French heritage manufacturing in Arques (Pas-de-Calais)

Most popular collections on AZ Boutique

Among the Cristal d'Arques collections available on AZ Boutique, several ranges structure the offer — from classic cut glasses to contemporary services.

• Lady Diamond: diamond-cut glasses, the most complete collection on AZ Boutique
• Masquerade: contemporary cut pattern with worked geometry on the bowl
• Rambouillet: classic stemmed glass line, traditional elegance
• Ose: refined contemporary design with a smooth bowl
• Dampierre: classic stemmed range, smooth high-shine finish
• Vicomte: traditional cut glasses with classical patterns
• Rendez-vous: modern line for everyday service and receptions

Choosing your Cristal d'Arques glasses

What is Diamax and how does it differ from crystal?

Diamax is a technical glass developed by Arc International since 2010, which replaced lead crystal in Cristal d'Arques collections. It offers brilliance and transparency close to traditional crystal, lead-free, with significantly better mechanical resistance and dishwasher compatibility. It is the modern industrial answer to the demand for accessible, durable everyday crystal.

Smooth or cut bowl: how to choose for your table style?

A smooth bowl (Ose, Rendez-vous, Dampierre) highlights the colour of the wine and the transparency of Diamax — ideal for a contemporary table where the glass stays discreet. A cut bowl (Lady Diamond, Masquerade, Vicomte) plays with candlelight and visually structures the setting, perfect for end-of-year celebrations and receptions. At equal volume, cut glasses have more visual presence and pair better with classic silverware; smooth pieces fit more naturally into a minimalist modern dressing.

Which Cristal d'Arques collection should I choose for a comprehensive service?

For a full reception service, Lady Diamond and Masquerade offer coherent water glass / wine glass / champagne flute coordination. For versatile everyday use, Rendez-vous and Ose provide smooth, dishwasher-compatible formats. For a classic formal table, Rambouillet and Dampierre remain the brand's traditional references.

Are Cristal d'Arques glasses dishwasher safe?

Most of the current Diamax catalogue is compatible with domestic dishwashers on standard cycles. To preserve brilliance over time, avoid overly aggressive detergents and hard water (a quality rinse aid limits dulling). Historical pieces in lead crystal (pre-2010 collections) should, on the other hand, be hand washed.

Cristal d'Arques on AZ Boutique

Discover the Cristal d'Arques products on AZ Boutique, mainly in Glasses: stemmed glasses, water glasses, champagne flutes and decanters from the Lady Diamond, Masquerade, Rambouillet and other signature collections of the house.