Encouraged by many of my customers who shop Murano art glass on Ebay and other auction sites, I am writing this message to help many of our glass enthusiasts on how to shop for Murano art for its best quality, design, and value.

 What is Murano art glass? You may ask.

After careful research with eBay’s listing manager (name has to be omitted), encyclopedia, and buyers and sellers as well, we have a very simple definition for you to share:
        a) art glass that is still made on Murano Island, in Italy.
        b) Art glass that is created in the style of Murano art, with Murano techniques-
            It can be made anywhere in this world.

Note: research Federal trademark laws: Murano is not a trademark; it does not bear any intellectual property rights, either. So there is no authority over Murano art.
 
According to the encyclopedias, Murano is a name for a place where Murano art was originated around the 18th century, in Italy. This kind of art glass making technique soon spread to other countries in Europe, America, and then Asia. This 100% hand-blown glass is characterized by, mostly, clear-casing techniques, stripe art, and ambitious pictorial patterns. Murano art can be in any form: vase, bowl, plate, flowers, animals, handbag, hat, clowns, fruits and vegetables. In other words, history of Murano art tells us that since two centuries ago, Murano was longer the only place to make Murano glass.

I have been traveling worldwide and I have seen many amazing Murano art. In San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle alone, I have seen over 100 studios making Murano art glass! And I have seen the most amazing Murano art from Japan, which would take anybody’s breath away.

But considering the quality, design, and the value at the same time, I recommend to you that the best choice is Murano art glass from China, with its designs made by Murano artist. There are about 4 major glass factories in China that are Sino-Italian joint ventures. They have great professional glass blowers that have been trained in Murano, Italy. And I have seen the most modern electronic furnace there, as well. I had a chance to ask about the worth of the furnace which was imported from Italy, the manager told me it costs over 1.5 million dollars(US!) to make it ready to run in the factory! I also met one Italian artist there who calls himself “Leo”. I asked how you like the life here? To my surprise, he replied in French! “Beaucoup de l’argent!” (I made lots of money!)

In recent years, the living standard in China has reached an unbelievable level. The cost of housing, vehicles, rental space, hotel rooms, in many Chinese cities has surpassed some expensive cities in the US! Despite of this fact, the manufacturers there can still keep the cost low while maintaining a high Murano standard quality. Why? When making over 100 copies of the same design, the cost will fall significantly! So when you shop online, you will find that these glass pieces will cost about $30-50 each to buy! You are actually buying wholesale! You do not have to worry about the quality--if you see the seller has over 95% positive feedbacks! See what most of the buyers say. Low in price does not mean low in quality!
If you go on eBay, you will see about 5,000 listings of Murano glass under the category of “Italian Glass”. Many of these items are listed as low starting bid as $0.01, or $0.99-9.99. Please remember this is not the cost of the item, it is just a low bid which is encouraged by eBay’s listing tutorial. Note: if the total cost of the item(bid plus all S&H) is under $200, usually this art piece is from China.

ALERT: Murano art that is made in Murano will cost over $500 a piece in Italy, for example: one 10 inch clown or a 10” vase. If a seller in USA sells a new glass art under $200 and claim it is made in Italy, then it could be a FAKE, even if they can provide a copy of the certificate (which could be faked, too.) But what if he sells a 10” vase from China for $500, and claim it is from Italy? Sure you know what it is.

However there is a dispute over internet about the definition of Murano glass. Some vendors who claim their glass is from Italy insist that glass from other countries is all fakes. If this is due to their lack of knowledge, that is fine. If this is due to their intention to advertise their own product, it is deemed to be libel and unfair competition against other vendors. In my opinion, world has become global (you don’t have to agree with me if you want to protect America’s employment or you just hate imports), but if you see things that surround you, you will realize this:
          A Toyota car is made in USA
          An Addidas shoe is made in Vietnam
          An American Tiffany glass lamp, made in China
          Your Toshiba laptop, from Malaysia
          Your American brand-name door knob, from Hong Kong.
          Your AT&T cellphone, from Korea. Not from North Korea, though!

OK. Tonight I am going to bring my wife and kids to an Italian restaurant near the San Diego beach, to have some authentic Italian food. (Don’t tell me that I have to go to Italy to get it!)

Now, it all depends on your budget, if you want to spend $300 on one piece of Murano vase, THAT is perfect! I love it also.
But if you want to get 10 vases of the same great Murano quality, with a great mix of variety, about $300, would you do it? My customers do! Think twice.

FUN FACTS:

If you visit Venezia(Venice), Italy, you will see lots of art glass in the airport and shops in the streets as well. I just want to tell you that many of these glass are made overseas rather than Italy. You may not believe what I say, but I can provide some nice cocktail for you to enjoy, see this:

Studio Soft, Via Sabio 70, 24044 Dalmine, Italy.  Fax: 39-035-370-520  Their website is murano-art-glass.com

The above company is  a top Murano glass designer & wholesaler located in Italy. Most of these glass are made in Zibo City, China. You can start surfing their website catalog. This, I assume, will help you to understand that even an eBay seller swears that his Murano glass piece is bought in Italy, it may still be made in China. "Now this is helpful!" You may say.

                                                                     Italian Murano Stripe Art in Clear-casing

                                Clear-cased roses, strong coloration        Ancient Roman shape, Stripe Art, Opaque in clear-casing

                                                                           2006 Top Murano Glass Design

                                                        Murano art "twister Vase", with ambitious pictorial patterns

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Note: competitors may exercise unfair competition by placing negative votes on this guide. Don't get surprised to see them!