At Lalique, the crucibles (pots) in which the glass mixture is heated to 2,588°F (1,420°C) are made by the pottery workshop of the crystal works. These pots, made of fireclay from the Bordeaux region, are made entirely by hand from templates. One of the crucial steps is the smoothing of the clay, which must not have any roughness. The pots are then left to dry in a warm room for several months. Before being placed in the pottery kiln, the pots are pre-fired at 2,190°F (1,200°C) for at least 8 hours. The life of a pot in the furnace varies from a few weeks to four months.