I'm writing this guide in response to a question I recently received in my email: "How can I tell who made my opalescent glass piece?". This guide offers some tips and suggestions for identifying your piece of opalescent glass.

1.  Check for a Marking

When I am looking at glass or china that I am interested in purchasing, the first thing I do is to check the bottom of the piece for a signature. Most china is signed, but the glass is another story -- especially older glass. Most of the old glass is not marked in any way. If it is not marked, you need to depend upon reference material, and often upon your own experience.

2.  Locate Your Pattern in Reference Books

There are many different reference books available -- most of which can be purchased on eBay! If you don't want to spend the money on them, try the library. You could even go to Barnes & Noble, buy a cup of coffee and spend some time looking through the ones they have for sale! If you are just trying to identify one piece, I wouldn't spend the money for a book, but if you want to start collecting, I would highly recommend purchasing at least one reference book.

The one that I have personally found to be the most helpful is "Standard Encyclopedia of Opalescent Glass" written by Bill Edwards & Mike Carwile. It is full of great info and tons of photos of glass patterns. They are in alphabetical order, and since you don't know the name, that means you will need to look through page upon page of photos of opalescent glass -- and they don't even show every pattern out there! It is enjoyable to view all of the different patterns, colors, and shapes, so it isn't a laborious task . . . and you will gain more familiarity with the various patterns the more you look through the book.

Once you have identified your pattern, you will then need to identify the shape of your piece. Many patterns are used to produce bowls, compotes, tumblers, etc. In addition, you will need to take into consideration the color of your item. When I am identifying Fenton glass (with a Fenton Reference Book) I always verify the measurements as well. If you have a piece that looks like one of the pieces in the book, but doesn't fit the measurements, it may be a reproduction.

Reproductions are always a concern, and that is where you need to learn to recognize newer pieces versus older pieces. Glass acquires a very subtle and beautiful patina as it ages, and the weight of the glass, as well as barely noticable shape and color differences, can help you identify a reproduction as well. For instance, I recently purchased 2 small hobnail glasses (that appeared to be Fenton) at an auction. I did not inspect them before I bid (because I had not noticed them amongst the other items). I was the high bidder and when I was handed the glasses, I was quite disappointed to find that the hobnail shape was more pointy than Fenton pieces.

Inspect the glass, run your fingers over all of the edges and get a feel for what the glass is like. The old glass usually has a lot of manufacturing imperfections like air bubbles and roughness. And don't be afraid to ask questions from others who may know more about the glass than you do. You could try attending some antique sales -- you can learn a lot just from watching other people do business!

3. Keep an Eye on eBay Listings

eBay is also an excellent source for information. Look at listings for opalescent glass and see if your pattern turns up. It will also give you an idea as to how much your item might be worth! Keep in mind that the value varies as to the color of the item, opalescent quality, and condition.

4. Consult the Professionals

If all else fails, there are organizations that will identify your glass for you -- for a fee of course! It may be worth it to you, as the process of identification can often be time consuming.

5. Join a Group

Click on the link to join "LOG" - an eBay group for "Lovers of Opalescent Glass"! You can post your questions, photos, information, etc. as well as look for opalescent glass that is available for sale on eBay!

6. Have Fun . . . And Good Luck!

Enjoy the process of identifying your piece . . . and the feeling of satisfaction that comes when your search is successful!

If you are interested, click the link to View Opalescent Glass available for sale on my eBay store.