Murano Glass - An Ancient Art Form Still Popular Today

If you have been following fashion news, youFiligrana which uses thin glass canes that run
know that glass jewelry is one of the hottestthroughout the piece of glass.
trends today. Due to its beauty, quality andYou should also think about the color of the piece
historical significance Murano glass is a perfectyou want. The good thing about glass jewelry
versatile material for artistic pendants, necklaces,made from Murano glass is that it is available in a
bracelets, rings, earrings and other accessories.wide range of colors. You can find pieces that use
There are reasons why Murano glass is soneutral colors for a more understated look and
versatile. The first is the number of differentpieces which use Murano signature rich coloring to
styles available. They range from the floralmake a bolder fashion statement.
patterned Millefiori (or thousand flowers) glass toYou can find jewelry which incorporates large
abstract Ghiaccio (or ice) glass. Some styles ofpieces of glass as well as smaller beads.
glass also use metal fragments to give the piecesDepending on the look you want, you may be
a sparkly accent that is incredibly popular ininterested in pieces which use a combination of
today's market.different sizes and shapes of beads. You should
Although Venice was the original home ofalso remember that since each piece of glass is
glassblowing in Italy, it was moved to Murano inhandmade, there will be variations and it can be
1291 and glassblowers have been converging ondifficult to get two pieces which look exactly alike.
the area to learn the tricks and techniques thatCaring for your glass pieces is not difficult, but
produce high quality items on such a consistentyou do want to take good care of them. When
basis. Glass jewelry is only one of the items whichwell cared for, these pieces will serve you for
are made there. Venetian glass from Murano ismany years and retain their colors, sparkle, shine
also made into many household items such asand beauty. With necklaces and pendants, you
paperweights, dishes, stemware and otherwant to periodically check the chain or cord and
ornamental items.especially the closure parts, to make sure they
If you want to order a piece of glass jewelry,are in good condition. This is important to prevent
you should think about the style of glass you likethe situations in which your glass pendant or
and the colors you want to incorporate. Some ofnecklace will fall and break. Periodically wipe your
the basic types of glass include: Avventurina,glass necklaces, pendants, earrings, rings, and
which uses particles of metal in order to make itother Murano glass wares with a soft velvet cloth
shimmer; Chalcedony, which uses veins of colorto ensure that they continues to reflect light in an
running through a dark colored glass to make itoptimal way. You can wash them in warm water
look like stone; Millefiori, which is made ofwith mild soaps to return them their original
flower-shaped canes of glass sliced into portionssparkle. Never use any chemical cleaners to wash
which make up the pattern on the glass andyour Murano jewelry.