Cut glass is glass which has been patterned and faceted with the use of abrasive wheels and various other cutting tools. A classic example of cut glass is Waterford crystal, which has been produced in Ireland since the 1700s. Many beautiful examples of antique cut glass can be found in museums, antique shops, and private collections, and several major glass companies continue to produce cut glass today. Cut glass is often used as part of a formal tableware collection, and it is also a common choice for wedding or christening gifts.

Humans have been making glass for thousands of years, but it was the Romans who first started to produce cut glass with the use of stone wheels in the first century CE. The techniques used to make cut glass are closely related to the techniques used to facet and polish gemstones. When glass is cut well, it sparkles and catches the light just like a gem, bouncing the light through a series of facets to create a rich rainbow effect. Cut glass became immensely popular in Europe and North America during the 18th century.

To make cut glass, a piece of glassware is blown into a desired shape, such as a goblet or bowl. Typically, the glass is very thick, to allow plenty of room for cutting deep facets. The glass may be clear or colored, depending on the personal aesthetic of the artisan. Once the glassware has been created, a pattern is roughly marked out, and then the artisan uses various grades of grinding wheels and cutting tools to cut the pattern out. In addition to being faceted, cut glass can also be marked with decorative cut edges or holes.

As the glass is cut, progressively finer wheels are used so that the glass is polished. When the piece is finished, all of the edges will be smooth, and the corners may be rounded off to prevent cuts. The decorated glass may be patterned with a variety of shapes and facets. Basic geometric themes are common, but cut glass can also be ornamented with flowers or animals. Typically, a piece of cut glass feels very heavy for its size, because of the thick glass used.

Many department stores have a section of cut glass, for people who want to purchase new pieces or sets. Antique stores also sell an assortment of cut glass items, and people can also purchase this style of glassware directly from the manufacturer. It is also possible to order custom made cut glass pieces, although custom glassware can get expensive.