Murano glass is one of the most imitated artisan materials in the world. Every year, tons of glass produced in the Czech Republic, China, or Turkey are sold under the "Murano" label – sometimes at high prices, always with a carefully constructed story. For an unsuspecting buyer, the distinction is almost impossible.
At Milodina, we have been working with the island's glassmakers for 26 years. Here's what we know — and what you should know before buying.
Why is Murano glass so often imitated?
The island of Murano, north of Venice, has been home to the world's most renowned glass workshops since the 13th century. The techniques practiced there — filigree, murrine, millefiori, battuto, pulegoso — are the result of centuries of artisanal transmission. They are complex, slow, and impossible to industrialize.
This is precisely what makes it a prime target for counterfeits. A piece of hand-blown glass jewelry by a Murano master glassmaker takes several hours to produce. Its industrial equivalent takes a few seconds.
The difference in cost is real. The difference in value, even more so.
The 5 signs of genuine Murano glass jewelry
1. Lightness
Hand-blown Murano glass is remarkably light for its size. This lightness comes from the blowing technique, which creates thin walls and sometimes tiny air bubbles in the material. A piece of jewelry that feels heavy for its size is likely made of pressed industrial glass.
2. Slight Irregularities
Paradoxically, small imperfections are a sign of authenticity. A handmade piece of jewelry is never perfectly symmetrical, perfectly uniform. Glassblowers know this and embrace it — each piece is unique. A piece of jewelry that is too perfect, too regular, should raise your suspicion.
3. Depth of Color
Murano glass is colored throughout the mass — metallic oxides are introduced directly into the molten glass. The color therefore has a depth, complexity, and luminosity that changes with the angle. Glass colored on the surface or painted will be dull, flat, and lifeless.
4. Warmth to the touch
Authentic Murano glass, particularly blown pieces, has a slightly matte and warm texture to the touch — different from industrial glass, which is smooth and cold. This difference is subtle but noticeable once you've experienced it.
5. Traceable Origin
A reputable seller should be able to tell you who made the piece — which workshop, which technique, if possible which master glassmaker. The complete absence of information about the origin is a red flag.
The most common pitfalls
"Murano style" or "inspired by Murano"
These phrases clearly mean that the piece is not made in Murano. They are legal but misleading.
Too low a price
A genuine handmade Murano glass jewel cannot cost 5 euros. Artisanal work has a price. A "Murano" jewel sold at a bargain price is almost certainly an imitation.
The seller with no history
True partners of Murano workshops know the glassmakers, visit the island, and can tell you about the techniques. A reseller who cannot tell you where the piece comes from probably doesn't know themselves.
The tourist markets of Venice
The majority of jewelry sold in the markets of Venice and near Santa Lucia station do not come from Murano. This is a reality that the local authorities themselves acknowledge.
The Vetro Artistico® Murano label
Since 1994, the Vetro Artistico® Murano label identifies pieces authentically produced in Murano by recognized artisans. Labeled pieces bear a hologram and a certificate of authenticity.
This label is a serious guarantee — but its absence does not automatically invalidate a piece. Not all workshops have joined the program, and some small houses produce authentic and exceptional glass without official certification because this label is expensive. The key is traceability and trust in the seller.
Why buy from Milodina?
Michèle Richer, founder of Milodina, has been visiting Murano for 26 years. She knows the master glassmakers by their first names, visits their workshops, and understands their techniques. Each Milodina jewel is selected or designed in direct dialogue with these artisans — and we can tell you exactly how it was made and by whom.
Our designer jewelry — the ORUS collection in particular — is designed by Michèle Richer herself and made exclusively for Milodina by workshops we have selected for their excellence. These are unique pieces that exist nowhere else.
That's what a true Murano glass jewel is: a piece whose story you know, from the hands that shaped it to your own.
Discover Milodina collections → milodina.fr/collections/bijoux
Milodina — French house of genuine Murano glass. Jewelry, lighting, mirrors, and custom objects for 26 years.
