Glänzend vs. blank
The German words glänzend and blank both describe things that reflect light, but they are used in slightly different physical contexts. While glänzend is a general term for anything with a glossy, lustrous, or glowing surface, blank specifically refers to a hard surface, usually metal or glass, that is shiny because it is completely bare, rubbed smooth, or meticulously polished clean.
Glänzend
The word glänzend is a broad term used to describe anything that is shiny, glossy, or gleaming. It focuses purely on the visual effect of reflecting light and is used for surfaces that naturally have a luster, such as wet streets, healthy hair, silk fabrics, or varnished wood.
Die Straßen waren glänzend vom Regen der vergangenen Nacht.
(The streets were shiny from the rain of the previous night.)
Sie kaufte ein glänzend rotes Kleid aus teurer Seide.
(She bought a shiny red dress made of expensive silk.)
Sein glänzend schwarzes Haar fiel ihm sanft ins Gesicht.
(His shiny black hair fell softly into his face.)
Der Fotograf liebte es, glänzend polierte Äpfel zu fotografieren.
(The photographer loved taking pictures of shiny polished apples.)
Diese neue Wandfarbe trocknet glänzend und ist nicht matt.
(This new wall paint dries shiny and is not matte.)
Das Wasser des Sees war glänzend unter der strahlenden Sonne.
(The water of the lake was shiny under the bright sun.)
Die glänzend geschliffene Oberfläche des Diamanten blendete mich fast.
(The shiny cut surface of the diamond almost blinded me.)
Blank
The word blank describes a surface that is shiny because it is entirely bare, exposed, spotless, or rubbed clean. It carries a strong nuance of being free from dirt, rust, or coverings, and is most commonly used to describe polished metals, drawn weapons, scrubbed objects, or worn-down smooth surfaces.
Der tapfere Ritter zog sein blankes Schwert aus der Scheide.
(The brave knight drew his bare shiny sword from the scabbard.)
Die Köchin schrubbte die Kupfertöpfe, bis sie wieder blank waren.
(The cook scrubbed the copper pots until they were shiny and clean again.)
Er polierte die alte Münze mit einem Tuch, bis das blanke Metall zu sehen war.
(He polished the old coin with a cloth until the shiny bare metal was visible.)
Die Steinstufen sind durch die vielen Schritte der Touristen blank gelaufen.
(The stone steps have been walked on by tourists until they are smooth and shiny.)
Sie putzte die großen Fenster des Wohnzimmers, bis das Glas völlig blank war.
(She cleaned the large living room windows until the glass was completely spotless and shiny.)
Der Ring aus blankem Gold fiel laut auf den Holzboden.
(The ring made of shiny bare gold fell loudly onto the wooden floor.)
Nach dem Polieren stand das blanke Silberbesteck auf dem festlichen Tisch.
(After polishing, the shiny bare silver cutlery stood on the festive table.)
Summary
In short, use glänzend to describe a general glossy, gleaming, or lustrous appearance caused by texture, moisture, or light reflection. Use blank when you need to emphasize that a surface, especially metal, is shiny specifically because it is bare, exposed, or has been thoroughly rubbed clean and polished.