Master carver to engrave crystals from last year's New Year's Eve ball sold as mementos

Dropped in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, the Constellation Ball was created with 5,280 Waterford crystals that incorporated three different designs to represent life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in honor of the nation's 250th birthday in 2026.

On Thursday, people can buy one of those crystals and get their names engraved on it as a memento. They will be replaced with new crystals to ring in 2027 with a theme yet to be announced.

It takes about three days to make each crystal by hand for the roughly 12-foot (3.7-meter) geodesic sphere that weighs 12,350 pounds (5,602 kilograms). The process involves the design, molding, kilning and the finishing of each crystal. Waterford, a longtime luxury crystal brand from Ireland, has designed the New Year’s Eve ball’s crystals for over 25 years. Some new crystals are swapped in every year.

Richard White, a master cutter for Waterford, flew to New York City to engrave the crystals that vary in size from 1.5 to 4 inches in diameter. White will use a small electronic pen with a diamond tip to engrave names on the small crystal pieces Thursday.

“To be actually here and to be up close, personal with it, is a real excitement for me,” White said of seeing the completed ball.

Delfin Ortiz, general manager and senior vice president of One Times Square, the 26-story building from which the annual ball drops, said the crystals are part of “tomorrow's history.”

A New Year’s Eve ball was first dropped in Times Square in 1907. Built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, the 700-pound (318-kilogram), 5-foot (1.52-meter) diameter ball was made of iron and wood and featured 100 25-watt light bulbs. Nine versions of the ball have been featured in the century-plus since that first celebration.

The only years no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly “dimout” during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square.

One Times Square began offering crystals for purchase last year, though Thursday marks the first time they will be engraved.

The prices of the crystals range between $140 and $195, depending on the size.

FILE - Red, white and blue confetti falls over the Times Square New Year's Eve ball, which commemorates America's 250th anniversary, just after midnight in New York, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

FILE - Members of the media look at the New Year's Eve ball in Times Square during a press event in New York, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams have placed receiver Puka Nacua on injured reserve, officially sidelining their All-Pro receiver for at least the next month.

The Rams announced the decision Thursday, one day after coach Sean McVay said the team hadn't determined whether it could afford to use an injured reserve slot for Nacua, who injured ligaments in his knee and toe on the final offensive snap of last week's win at Washington.

Nacua will miss at least the next four games for the Rams (5-4), who will be without their top two receivers for at least the next two games.

Davante Adams will miss his fourth straight game with a hamstring injury when the Rams visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but he hopes to return for a home game against Kansas City on Dec. 3.

The Rams had just four healthy wide receivers left on their 53-man roster this week before they promoted Brennan Presley from the practice squad Thursday. They also signed receiver Tyler Scott back to the practice squad after he spent the second half of last season with the unit.

Nacua has 70 receptions for 715 yards and four touchdowns in just seven games this season, driving the Rams' offense with his playmaking and versatility in his fourth NFL season. He won't be eligible to return from IR before the Rams host the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 20.

A season of heavy injury losses has depleted the Rams' roster flexibility heading into the second half of the regular season.

The Rams have already activated three players from injured reserve, including All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, and they have said they intend to activate Adams, defensive tackle Kobie Turner and tight end Terrance Ferguson before the season ends. If those moves happen and Nacua also returns, the Rams will have just one additional opportunity to designate a player to return from injured reserve in the regular season.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson (23) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)