What is Murano Glass Jewelry?
Murano glass is artisan glassware from the island of Murano in Italy. It is roughly one mile north of Venice in the Venetian Lagoon. In the year 1291, all glassmakers in the archipelago were forced to move to the island due to the fire risk they posed on central Venice, which at the time was comprised mostly of wooden structures. The island was initially famous for its glass beads and mirrors, and later its chandeliers. Because glass was highly coveted during the Renaissance, glassmakers of the time were considered royalty and became some of Venice’s most prominent and affluent citizens. Although they were technically not allowed to leave the island, many risked it and set up shops in other cities and even in some neighboring countries. Murano’s glassmakers held a monopoly over quality glassware and were therefore able to refine old technologies and develop new techniques. Some of these include aventurine (goldstone), millefiori (colored glass), crystalline glass, smalto (enameled glas
