Waterford to Engrave Names on Times Square Crystals
Waterford master cutter Richard White will engrave names on crystals from the 2026 Constellation Ball, sold as mementos starting Thursday.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Jewelry
Waterford master cutter Richard White will engrave names on crystals from the Constellation Ball, which was dropped in Times Square on New Year's Eve. The purchasable crystals are sold at One Times Square, and engraving is scheduled to begin Thursday, November 12, 2026, or the following Thursday.
Why it matters
The engraved crystals give New Yorkers and visitors a tangible keepsake tied to the city's landmark New Year's Eve tradition. The offering also reflects the ball's design honoring the nation's 250th birthday in 2026.
Each hand-made crystal takes about three days to produce and ranges from 1.5 to 4 inches in diameter, with purchasable crystals priced between $140 and $195. Waterford has designed the ball's crystals for more than 25 years, and the 2027 theme remains unannounced.
The players
Waterford
Waterford is an Irish crystal manufacturer known for its hand-cut and hand-finished glassware and its long-running design work for the Times Square New Year's Eve ball.
Richard White
Richard White is a master cutter at Waterford who will hand-engrave names onto the Constellation Ball crystals.
The details
Richard White will use a small electronic pen with a diamond tip to engrave names on the crystals, which are designed, molded, kilned and finished by hand. One Times Square began offering the crystals for purchase last year.
Timeline
New Year's Eve 2026: The Constellation Ball was dropped in Times Square.
2025: One Times Square began offering crystals for purchase.
Thursday, November 12, 2026 (or the following Thursday): Names begin to be engraved on purchasable crystals.
New Year's Eve 2027: New crystals will be rung in with a theme yet to be announced.
Season Trajectory
The Times Square ball tradition began in 1907 with a 700-pound sphere lit by 100 25-watt bulbs, and the 2026 Constellation Ball, weighing 12,350 pounds, marks a dramatic evolution of that landmark. Engraved crystal keepsakes extend the event's commercial reach beyond a single night in the square.
Readers interested in a personalized keepsake can purchase a crystal at One Times Square, where prices range from $140 to $195 and engraving is scheduled for the coming Thursday. Buyers should plan ahead, since the crystals are hand-made and the engraving timeline is set around that Thursday.
The takeaway
A personal engraved crystal turns a fleeting broadcast moment into a lasting object, showing how handcraft can preserve a New Year's tradition. Those interested should watch for the 2027 theme announcement.
What happens next
Engraved crystals begin on Thursday, November 12, 2026, or the following Thursday, and the New Year's Eve 2027 ball will debut with a theme yet to be announced.
Further reading
Explore more Jewelry coverage to see how craftsmanship and keepsake design are shaping the market in New York City.
