Glass Jewelry Collecting

Glass is an amazingly versatile medium, so its not surprising to see it making a huge hit in the jewelry and fashion industry throughout time. As with so many other collecting fancies, glass jewelry offers a huge variety from which to choose.Perhaps you’d like Sea Glass (or beach glass), fashioned by nature herself and set by clever metal smiths. Or, perhaps hand crafted art glass made in Europe or the United States is more to your liking. Then too, there’s fused glass that shines and illustrates rich colors to appeal to the inner-magpie.

A brief review of the items available is nearly overwhelming. It seems, however, that most collectors are not generalists.

Some gather only enamels, others only brooches, some are drawn to Edwardian styles, and others still stick with grandmother’s pieces as their basenote.

One rather interesting field for collectors is known as mourning jewelry common in the 1800s. These pieces were exactly as one might expect – a memento of a loved one, typically complete with hair woven into the glass framework somehow.

Needless to say, finding one of these items intact is unusual due to hair’s sensitive nature. Some small broaches that withstood time now value at $200.00, even for an unknown love! The other popular foundation for mourning jewelry was jet black glass; a little more affordable pricing out around $150.00.

From a component standpoint, you can find bangles with vintage glass beads including faceted crystal, reverse painted beads, cut glass, faux stones (glass based), etc.

In necklaces watch for molded glass (art deco), black glass (French), collar necklaces, simulated stone (like lapis or moonstone, both of which were popular) beads, and leaf drop motifs.

Brooches offer animal motifs (poodles, for example), canary glass, 3 dimensional glass pieces (often flowers and/or leaves), and so forth.

Collectors take note: this list hasn’t even touched cufflinks, rings, earrings, hair decorations, or tie tacks! That’s exactly why glass jewelry collecting is so wonderful. You can stumble over a real find nearly anywhere, including your own attic, and have a treasure for many years to come.

To begin gathering your own glass jewelry take a look at Earthly Adornments.