There’s a certain pride in a well-stocked bar cart, whether it’s for serving up the perfect dram of single malt or that double-old-fashioned. And there’s something to be said for choosing glassware that’s as sleek and sophisticated as the drink it’s meant to serve. That’s why a smart set of statement drinking glasses is always a good investment, as it can make that first post-work sip of your favorite cocktail or wine even more special.

But it’s not just the style of your glassware that matters, it’s also what it’s made of. Some types of glassware are much more durable and dependable than others, with some even more chemical resistant.

Borosilicate glass is known for its strength and durability, making it a popular choice for glassware that will be exposed to high heats or frequent use. This type of glass is highly chemical resistant, able to withstand most acids and even some alkalis up to a pH of 9.0. However, it’s important to keep in mind that if you’re dealing with acidic liquids, glass can be damaged by etching. If you’re concerned about your glassware breaking or chipping, etching can be minimized by cleaning your glasses with a mild detergent and rinsing thoroughly before using them again.

Glassmakers can often add a unique design to their glassware by adding patterned threads or carving designs into the surface of the molten glass. Threads of contrasting color can be coiled around a core to create designs like feather, zigzag and arcade. Glassmakers can also add handles in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are simple and elegant, while others are ornate and decorative.

While modern laboratory glassware is made primarily out of plastic, skilled scientific glass blowers can still produce a wide array of glassware for specific experiments. These items may be used to mix or stir chemicals and require a specific temperature, so they’re not your standard beverage glassware. The most common laboratory glassware is made of borosilicate, which makes it very durable and chemical resistant. However, it is still a fragile material and can be broken easily.

Many pieces of glassware have flat bottoms that can sit upright on a plate, but other pieces like Erlenmeyer flasks and vacuum filtration flasks are designed to be supported with clamps or a retort stand. Clamps are typically metal and can be either three-finger or standard, while other clamps exist for special purposes, including chain-style for large pieces of glassware and water-bath clamps for thermometers.

Some glassware includes etched lines or volume markings, which are helpful when measuring exact amounts of liquids or solids. For a more accurate measurement, however, you can use a digital scale. In addition, glassware can be interconnected with tubing and fitted with valves to control fluid flow or prevent leaks.