FAQ: Buying Glass & Jade Trophy Awards
Three materials, one award budget - how to pick between glass, jade and K9 crystal.
Glass, jade or K9 crystal - which material suits an award plaque best?
K9 optical crystal is the pick when the artwork has to sit inside the piece, because only it gives the clarity and depth that 3D subsurface engraving needs. Glass costs the least of the three and takes sandblasting, UV printing and screen printing on the surface. Jade is the most traditional choice - heavier in the hand, well suited to sandblasted text and brass inlay, and a natural fit for government, cultural and long-service awards where the stone itself carries the message.
Can you sandblast or laser jade trophies?
Yes, but jade is marked rather than cut. The face is masked, abrasive-blasted and then polished back, which leaves soft frosted lettering with sharp edges. Logos are usually inlaid in brass or colour-filled, because jade runs from dark green to off-white and low-contrast text disappears once the trophy is across a room.
What thickness and shapes do your glass trophy plaques come in?
Glass plaques are stocked in 10 mm, 15 mm and 19 mm; 19 mm and up is the working floor for sandblasting and UV print, while 10-15 mm panels are for CO2 surface engraving and photo panels. Shapes cover rectangle, arch, wave and bevel-cut, from 100 x 150 mm up to 250 x 350 mm, on glass, jade or metal bases.
What is the minimum order, and how do you protect glass and jade in transit?
One piece for a sample, 10 pcs per size for production, and mixed sizes can travel in one carton. Every piece is foam-wrapped in a reinforced carton with dividers, and jade gets extra corner padding plus a hard-shell case on request. If something still arrives cracked, send photos within 7 days and we replace it with your next shipment.
Still unsure which piece fits your project? Send your drawing or the size you need on WhatsApp - we quote within one working day.
