Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I have purchased a paperweight from the site and I love it but it is not exactly the same as the picture on the site – why is this?
A. Caithness Glass paperweights are made to exacting quality standards. Due to the handmade nature of our products no two paperweights will ever be the same and you may find slight differences between pieces. This is not a flaw but your assurance that your piece has been individually handcrafted by a skilled glassmaker in our Perth studio.
Please also bear in mind that a photograph on a computer screen can never give a true likeness of the actual colours and you may therefore find slight colour variations between the picture and your piece.
Q. What base markings are used on Caithness Glass paperweights?
A. All Caithness Glass first quality paperweights are etched on the base with the name of the piece, plus the words ‘Caithness Scotland’. If it is a limited edition then the edition number and size will be hand etched on the base.
Unlimited Edition paperweights do not carry an edition number but they do carry a production number – this is a hand etched letter followed by a number e.g. E145. The letter denotes the year in which the paperweight was made and the number denotes the total number of all unlimited edition paperweights made at that point. So E145 would show that your piece was made in 2007 and was the 145th unlimited edition paperweight made that year.
As part of the production process some unlimited edition paperweights do not meet the strict quality levels required of a first quality Caithness Glass paperweight and these items are classed as second quality and sold through our Visitor Centre and factory outlets. These paperweights can be easily identified as second quality as they carry no markings on the base. In previous years we have also used the markings CIIG on the base to denote a second quality paperweight.
Q. I have inherited a number of older Caithness Glass paperweights. How much are they worth?
A. For legal reasons we are unable to estimate current market valuations on our products. The Charlton Catalogue of Caithness Paperweights by Colin Terris (2nd Edition) lists all of the standard range paperweights produced by Caithness Glass between 1969 and 2004 and provides guides to valuations. This book can be purchased at good bookshops. Alternatively, auction houses or auction websites may be able to provide estimated values.
Q. Is it possible to obtain discontinued paperweights or artglass?
A. Unfortunately unless we have stock of the item we cannot produce a discontinued item.
Q. Can you make a one-off design for me?
A. Our Corporate Department can supply paperweights, trophies and artglass with personalised engravings. This engraving service however allows you to personalise a standard item with your company logo, names etc.
Our highly talented Design Team can also design a special paperweight to meet your requirements but this would be subject to a minimum order quantity of 100.
Please contact our Corporate Department for further information.