If you’re like me you want to have glass in good shape, no chips or cracks, not a lot of wear. You don’t want to waste your money buying that perfect piece only to find it’s full of damage when you get it home.
The Royal Lace blue plate? That’s one of the pieces I’ll use for one tip.
Take a good look at the inside edge of the flat rim. That edge is a sharp drop off, and likely to chip. If you stack plates like this I can guarantee they will chip unless you put a paper plate or wide coffee filter between.
You can check this most easily by running your finger along that inner rim. Do the same for the outside edge too of course, and along the top and bottom of the rim. If you feel a rough spot that is likely a nick. Check it to see whether it is big enough to disqualify the piece for you. Some people do not mind having tiny nicks in pieces they intend to use frequently, especially if they want kids to enjoy them. If that’s you then small rough spots may be fine.
The other odd place this pattern and similar can nick is on the underside motif. Those arcs that form the quatrefoil also have distinct edges. These are less likely to see wear than the tops, but check if you want pristine glass.
Royal Lace is one pattern of several that has sharp inner rims that nick easily. Madrid and Patrician are two other examples. Some patterns with flat rims have edges that slope more and thus nick less, such as Hocking’s Mayfair, but again, check.
Enjoy shopping for glass!