With its ability to resemble natural materials, glass is an obvious material for use in jewelry. Roman glass makers worked to make cups that resembled polished agate cups for those who could not afford the real ones. The agate-like glass was also used to make intaglio (symbol carved into the surface of the stone) seals made into rings, which could be used as a signature on important documents. One of the major uses of glass in jewelry in recent times has been to imitate turquoise. Now that treated turquoise is available, this glass jewelry is no longer in favor and would make an interesting collection.
"Turquoise" earrings
Glass beads have been valued for as long as they have been made, and turned into jewelry or personal adornments for centuries. Beaded items could be an interesting glass collectible.
Beads can be used to adorn any article of clothing.
Today we value glass for its own sake in jewelry. The many colors its comes in, as well as the shapes, finishes and degree of transparency allow artists and crafts men to make all kinds or jewelry. Imagine a collection of glass bangle bracelets.
These "jewels" make a novel bracelet.
The jewelry can be fun and worn everyday, or more sophisticated, for evening ware. You could collect only black glass jewelry.
Cuff bracelet of black glass "gems".
Glass cabochons (shapes with a flat back and no holes) can be mounted in the same jewelry forms used to make fine jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, rings, cuff links, earrings. Who can forget rhinestone jewelry?
Rhinestone jewelry resembles fine diamond jewelry.
My mother received a number of these when I was young and Christmas surprised me. (I have always been a sucker for sparkly.) Maybe I should get them back as glass collectibles. You know she never threw them out. I gave them to her. Check with your mom. Maybe she has the beginning of a glass collection waiting for you.
Bead necklace
But best of all, glass can be made into beads that can be used for jewelry that emphasizes the beauty of the glass itself. Used to adorn itself, glass can add lumps and bumps to beads that would require inordinate time and effort to replicate in stone beads. Even chains where the links are made of glass are possible in this versatile material. Lampwork artists make beautiful glass beads with all kinds of decoration both inside the bead and on the outside.
Necklace of beads of several shapes and sizes.
Differences in sizes and shapes, as well as color, make glass jewelry far more interesting than the string of evenly sized pearls. Imagine a collection of glass jewelry of shades of green.
Iridescent finish applied to clear glass beads.
Just a simple difference in the surface treatment can make fairly mundane glass beads into the highlight of an earring. A collection of iridescent glass earrings would be nice, and they could be worn as well.
Finally, in Victorian times, lockets with one half made of glass were made to hold a lock of hair of the dearly departed. Called memorial jewelry, these small chambers were made into brooches, pendants and watch fobs. If you want an unusual collection, check antique stores for these little memorials to collect.
* * * Crystal Bracelets are beautiful and well worth collecting (and wearing). Read more by clicking the link. * * *
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