Friday, October 3, 2008

Murano Glass Jewelry - The Finest Glass Jewelry in the World

By Richard

Murano is Small Island in Italy. It is located 1 mile north of Venice. What makes this island famous is its contribution in making crafted glass, jewellery and glass beads. Murano glass-masters have mastered the art of crafting crystalline glass, enameled glass, glass with threads of gold, multicolored glass, milk glass and imitation gemstones.

For centuries people have looked up at Italy for its craftsmanship in making Murano Glass. Silica is an essential element in manufacture of Murano Glass. Color is added to liquefied silica which is then given the required shape. The look of the glass is enhanced by adding gold engraving or enamel painting. To make Murano Glass to look more beautiful layers of contrasting color is added which is known as Sommerso or sunken glass. Sommerso is used for making vases or sculptor.

Venetian glass making today is not limited to Venice or Murano, but has spread to other European cities as well. Initially Venetian glass was primarily crafted only in Murano. As time passed many artisans migrated to other European Countries and the art of glass making also spread. Manufacturing process of Venetian glass and Murano glass is very similar. Gold, Aquamarine, Silver, Ruby Red are some of the colors which are added to make the glass look more attractive.

Murano is known for its glass beads as well. Manufacturing beads is a delicate and intricate process. To manufacture Murano Glass Beads you first make color canes to which color is added with great precision. Examples of Murano Glass Beards are Seed Beads (Conterie), Chevron beads (Rosetta), Lace Beads (Millefiori) and Blown Beads (Venetian Blown Beads).

If you see glass work with dazzling colors and unbelievable lightness, delicacy and intricate workmanship it is bound to be Italian Glass. Italian Glass is manufactured in Murano for more than 700 years. This form of craftsmanship, like any other form of art, was considered to be extremely old fashioned up till the seventies. Later as the craft evolved the patterns and designs were modernized. This led to renewed interest of people in this form of craft.

A workmanship on Glass Jewelry crafted at Murano is mesmerizing. The pendants, earrings, rings, bracelets and necklace are all stunningly beautiful. The right mix of color and style makes the jewelry look very classy. The jewelry is designed by mixing Sterling silver, Oxidized silver, 14 carat gold, cultured pearls, cubic zirconia and other precious gems either individually or in combinations. - 15252

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