Vintage Glass Hallmarks

To tell if your vintage glasses are gold, look on the nose bridge and the temples for a purity mark. Makers often stamped their solid gold pieces with “12K,” “10K,” “14K” and other markings to identify their gold eyewear. You can research all of these markings using trusted online resources. Should you locate a "GF" mark, it is likely that your glasses are gold-filled rather than solid gold. This means that the frames are predominantly a less expensive metal but do have a thin layer of genuine gold alloy as a finish. Another mark that indicates your glasses contain some gold is "RGF." The mark stands for “rolled gold filled.” Glasses bearing this mark feature a gold-plated finish that is thinner than what's found on traditional gold-filled frames. For assistance identifying your eyeglass frame material, consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. Explore a selection of vintage glasses on 1stDibs.

To tell if a glass vase is vintage, first research the maker. Look for markings on the inside and base, and then research them using trusted online resources to determine who produced your vase. By looking at when the maker was active and producing pieces similar to yours, you can typically roughly estimate its age. If your vase is between 20 and 99 years old, it is vintage. Vases that are 100 years old or older are antiques. For help with dating, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a collection of glass vases.

Yes, some vintage glass is worth something. Collectors are often on the hunt for pieces produced by certain makers, such as Blenko, the Culver Glass Company, Dorothy Thorpe, Libbey, Georges Briard and Arcoroc. In addition to who manufactured it, the style, type, age and condition of vintage glassware all impact the potential value. For assistance with the valuation process for pieces in your collection, enlist the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of vintage glassware.

To tell if vintage Cartier glasses are real, first look for the brand's logo on the outside of the arms. It should be spelled correctly and in the French luxury fashion house's iconic gold-toned italic font. Because some vintage pieces may lack serial numbers and other markings used to identify contemporary eyewear, you may wish to enlist the help of a licensed appraiser or knowledgeable dealer for assistance with authentication. Explore a selection of Cartier glasses on 1stDibs.

The easiest way to tell if a bead is glass or plastic is to feel it. Glass beads will be cooler to the touch, whereas plastic beads will be closer to room temperature and warm up quickly in your hands. Another test you can perform is to listen to the sound. Glass has a distinctive ring since it’s harder whereas plastic is softer and has a duller sound. Shop a range of vintage glass bead pieces on 1stDibs.