Vintage glass necklaces

I’ve spent most of today re-organising the vintage necklaces in my website shop. To try and make them easier to find I’ve divided them into types, Antique necklaces, Vintage necklaces, Glass Necklaces, Lockets and Pendants. Whilst I was doing this I started to think about all the different types of vintage glass necklaces strung with beads  available –  the  range really is huge.

Antique Glass Necklaces

Whilst glass has been used in necklaces since ancient times, the earliest type of glass bead necklace we regularly find for sale these days are from the Victorian era and normally these are what is known to day as “French Jet” beads. French Jet was a popular imitation for real or Whitby jet during the Victorian era. It is not jet at all but a black glass which can sometimes be seen as a really really dark purple if you shine a light through it. French Jet beads are normally faceted and highly polished

Glass bead necklace

Vintage Glass Necklaces

Moving forward in time Glass necklaces next become very popular in the art deco era. I am saying this as I have never seen an Edwardian necklaces in glass beads – The Edwardians preferred the Lavalier type pendants.

During the 1920s and 1930s  there was a huge range of glass beads and necklaces popular. Many were made in Murano and Czechoslovakia and these are highly collectable today.

Perhaps some of the most collectable vintage glass necklaces have Wedding Cake beads or beads made of art glass. Many of these necklaces are strung on a metal chain rather than on a cord with one exception.Occasionally I find a flapper length glass necklace. Due to the weight of glass the glass beads in a flapper length necklace are quite small and often on a cord rather than a chain.

To my mind some of the most attractive glass necklaces are those with lamp work beads in the shape of fruit, flowers, leaves and rarely birds. These glass lampwork beads are attached by wire to the chain. If you are considering buying one of these lamp work necklaces do check the condition carefully as the ones I find are normally damaged.

Popular colors during the 1920s/ 1930s were crystal clear, green, yellow , pale blue and pink. Red is rarer and is a darker blue. The beads come in all shapes and sizes. Look out for large faceted beads in bright colours and interesting shapes.

A quick buying tip. Feel the beads get used to how warm a string of glass beads feel. Is the string unusually cold or takes longer than usual to warm up in your hand? If so then the beads could be real gemstones rather than glass. Its difficult to tell with the naked eye.

Blue and white glass necklace

The 1950s and 1960s

Glass necklaces were again popular during the 50s and 60s.  Many of the costume jewellery pearl necklaces we see from this time were made with glass beads , they can be natural pearl colour or  a pastel colour with a pearl effect. The 1950s and 1960s saw triple string necklaces become popular and the beads were often irregular in shape.

Glass beads with an auroral borealis effect were introduced in the 1950s and quickly became all the rage. You can pick up a triple strand of high quality aurora borealis beads at a reasonable price and they will provide you with party sparkle for years to come.

art glass necklace

The 1970s vintage glass necklace

Now I wore glass necklaces in the 1970s. They were long with tiny beads strung on a metal chain. Cheap hippie beads back then and ideal for today’s Boho look. These are often so fine that several strands can be worn at once. Still cheap today I guess that these are a great investment for the future. The wires are fine and they do tend to snag on woolen clothing so take care when wearing these glass beads.

Recently I bought a life times collection of vintage glass beads and so   now has a section entirely devoted to Vintage Glass Beads of all ages. Personally I find them one of the most attractive forms of vintage costume jewellery and think they can only become rarer and more desirable as the years go on.