Some glass has lead in it, specifically crystal glass. The lead
acts as a flux in glass, allowing the grains of silica sand to be
melted at a lower temperature. Glasses are generally denoted by
their flux, so you get soda glass, flint glass, borosilicate glass,
lead crystal etc.
Lead also lends crystal the attribute of a high refractive
index, making it a very clear glass and also soft. It can be easily
cut with designs and polished. George Ravenscroft developed the
first viable lead glass.