Lena Bergström has renewed the cut crystal with the glass series Carat

Swedish designer Lena Bergström drew inspiration from jewels and gemstones to create the Carat glass series for Orrefors, renewing the tradition of cut crystal for contemporary interiors.

Lena Bergström joined Orrefors in the mid-1990s as part of a new generation of glass artists that also included Martti Rytkönen and Per B Sundberg. Her work explores how traditional Scandinavian glass techniques can evolve for modern aesthetics.

The Carat series features bold, geometric cuts that catch and reflect light like precious stones. The angular facets transform functional glassware into sculptural objects, demonstrating how industrial production can achieve effects traditionally associated with hand-cut crystal.

Bergström’s approach represents a broader movement within Swedish glass design—honoring the material heritage of Småland’s Kingdom of Crystal while developing new visual languages. The Carat series has become one of Orrefors’ most recognized contemporary collections.

At Orrefors, Bergström works alongside the skilled glassblowers, cutters, and engravers whose craft expertise has defined Swedish glass production since the early 20th century. Her designs continue the dialogue between designer vision and craftsman execution that characterizes the best Scandinavian glass art.

The Carat collection remains in production, available through Orrefors’ international retail network.