Unusual handmade glass gifts for her, from genuine Murano and dichroic glass jewellery to fused glass suncatchers by UK makers. Plus glass gifts for him.
Unusual glass gifts she will actually keep
Glass makes a lovely present because it does something most gifts cannot: it holds and bends light. A pendant flashes a different colour as she moves, a suncatcher throws rainbows across the kitchen, and a hand-blown piece looks slightly different from every angle.
This guide focuses on glass that is genuinely made by hand, mostly by small studios and independent makers in the UK and in Venice. We explain the main types of glass gift, how to tell handmade from factory-made, and which pieces we would give for a birthday, an anniversary or Christmas.
- Our top glass gifts for her
- Murano and dichroic glass jewellery
- Fused, blown and stained glass for the home
- Glass gifts for him and for Christmas
We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Check delivery times and any import charges at checkout.
Glass jewellery gifts for her
Glass jewellery is the most popular glass gift for women, and for good reason: it is light, colourful and far cheaper than gemstones of a similar size. Three types are worth knowing about.
Murano glass comes from the island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon, where glassmakers have worked since the late 13th century. Because the name is so widely copied, the Veneto regional government protects an official Vetro Artistico Murano trademark, set up under Regional Law 70 of 1994. Genuine pieces carry its sticker, and only inspected makers may use it (Regione Veneto). If a listing does not mention the mark or a certificate, treat “Murano style” with caution.
Dichroic glass shows one colour by reflected light and another when light passes through it, as the Corning Museum of Glass explains. Modern makers usually apply a thin dichroic coating to the glass and then fuse it in a kiln, which is what gives these pendants their shimmer.
Glass enamel is powdered glass fired onto metal. It gives silver jewellery a hard, glossy colour that does not fade like paint.
We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Check delivery times and any import charges at checkout.
Diana Ingram makes jewellery by hand using genuine Murano glass from makers certified under the Vetro Artistico mark. The small heart pendant is our pick for a first glass gift: easy to wear daily, sent gift wrapped with the price hidden, and supplied with a certificate of authenticity.
More glass jewellery she will love
Glass jewellery gifts compared
Best overall Diana Ingram pendant | Made in Venice Lesley H Phillips earrings | Most eye-catching Calon dichroic pendant | Luxury ORTAK necklace | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Glass type | Murano | Murano | Dichroic | Glass enamel |
| Metal | Sterling silver | Recycled silver | Silver plated | Sterling silver |
| Certificate included | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Price | £25.95 | £26.99 | £29.95 | £180.90 |
| View | View | View | View |
Fused glass gifts
Fused glass is made by cutting and layering pieces of coloured sheet glass, then heating them in a kiln until they melt together into one piece. Slumping the result over a mould turns it into a dish or a curved panel. Unlike glassblowing, fusing can be done in a small home studio, which is why so many independent British makers work this way.
That makes fused glass one of the easiest ways to buy direct from a maker. The pieces below come from small UK sellers with long, near-perfect feedback records. Each one is cut and fired by hand, so expect small variations from the photos; that is part of the appeal.
We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Check delivery times and any import charges at checkout.
Our favourite fused glass pieces
Hand-blown glass gifts
Hand-blown, or mouth-blown, glass is gathered molten on the end of a blowpipe and shaped with breath, gravity and simple tools. It is the most skilled of the glass crafts and needs a furnace, so most pieces come from established studios rather than home makers.
If you are wondering who offers mouth-blown decorative glassware for gifting in the UK, the best starting point is the Contemporary Glass Society, a UK charity founded in 1997 that represents nearly 1,000 glass artists and keeps a searchable directory of members. Many sell vases, bowls and paperweights directly from their studios. Venetian workshops on Murano are the other classic source, and Murano pieces should carry the trademark described above.
We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Check delivery times and any import charges at checkout.
Hand-blown glass worth giving
Stained glass gifts and make-your-own kits
Real stained glass is cut from coloured sheet glass, edged with copper foil or lead, and soldered together. Small suncatchers make easy, affordable gifts. If she enjoys crafts, a beginner kit lets her make something of her own, which is often the most memorable kind of glass gift.
We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Check delivery times and any import charges at checkout.
Stained glass suncatchers and kits
Glass Christmas gifts
Glass decorations become family heirlooms, which makes them one of the nicest gifts to give before Christmas rather than on the day. Order personalised baubles early, since makers get busy from November. For more ideas, see our guide to handmade Christmas gifts.
We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Check delivery times and any import charges at checkout.
Handmade glass for Christmas
Glass gifts for him
Most men appreciate glass they can use. Engraved whisky glasses are the classic choice; to be clear, the glasses themselves are factory-made soda-lime glass, and the craft is in the personalised engraving. For something truly handmade, a studio glass paperweight or a fused glass coaster suits a desk. Our guide to handmade anniversary gifts for him has more ideas.
We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Check delivery times and any import charges at checkout.
Glass gifts he will use
How to tell genuine handmade glass
Real Murano glass sold as such should carry the Vetro Artistico Murano sticker or a certificate.
Blown pieces are held on a metal rod called a pontil while being finished, which can leave a small scar on the base ([Corning Museum of Glass](https://allaboutglass.cmog.org/definition/pontil)).
Tiny bubbles, uneven edges and slight colour shifts are normal in handmade glass.
A real person or studio behind the listing is the best sign of genuine handmade work.
How we picked these glass gifts
We searched Amazon Handmade, eBay and our partner shops for glass gifts and narrowed hundreds of listings down using these rules.
-
Genuinely handmade
Every finished piece is made by hand, except the engraved whisky glasses, which we have labelled clearly. The craft kits are for making your own.
-
Named makers
We favoured makers who state where and how they work, such as Diana Ingram, Calon Glass and ORTAK.
-
New items from UK sellers
On eBay we only included new, fixed-price listings from UK sellers with at least 98% positive feedback.
-
A spread of budgets
Picks run from small suncatchers to a certified Murano showpiece.
Handmade stock sells out quickly. If a piece has gone, browse the full handmade glass gifts shop for alternatives.
Caring for glass gifts
Glass jewellery only needs a wipe with a soft dry cloth; keep it away from perfume and hairspray, which can dull metal and enamel. Fused and stained glass suncatchers can be cleaned with warm soapy water and dried straight away. Hand-wash blown glass rather than using a dishwasher, and avoid sudden temperature changes, such as pouring boiling water into a cold vase.
Looking for more ideas? See our full guide to handmade gifts for her.
Glass gift questions
What is a good glass gift for her?
Murano glass jewellery is the most popular choice, followed by fused glass suncatchers and dichroic glass pendants. For something more unusual, a hand-blown glass terrarium or a stained glass suncatcher makes a memorable present.
How can I tell if Murano glass is genuine?
Look for the official Vetro Artistico Murano trademark sticker or a certificate of authenticity. The trademark is protected by the Veneto Region under Regional Law 70 of 1994, and only inspected makers may use it.
What is dichroic glass?
Dichroic glass shows one colour when light reflects off it and another when light shines through it. Makers usually achieve the effect with a thin coating, then fuse the glass in a kiln.
What is the difference between fused and blown glass?
Fused glass is layered sheet glass melted together in a kiln, often in small home studios. Blown glass is shaped from molten glass on a blowpipe and needs a furnace, so it usually comes from larger studios.
Who offers mouth-blown decorative glassware in the UK?
Independent studio glassblowers are the best source. The Contemporary Glass Society, a UK charity, keeps a directory of member glass artists, many of whom sell direct.
What are good glass gifts for him?
Engraved whisky glasses, studio glass paperweights and fused glass coasters are reliable choices for men.
Are glass gifts safe to post?
Reputable makers pack glass in bubble wrap and sturdy boxes. Check the seller’s returns policy for breakages before you order.
Our recommendation
- Best overall: Diana Ingram Murano glass heart necklace
- Best for the home: rainbow heart fused glass suncatcher
- Most unusual: hand-blown glass terrarium
- Best for him: engraved whisky glasses
For most women, a genuine Murano glass heart necklace is the safest glass gift: personal, wearable and backed by a certificate. If she prefers something for the home, a handmade fused glass suncatcher or panel from a UK maker brings colour to a window all year.