There has been a lot of buzz in the press about Murano glass recently- and in particular the jewellery made from it. But what exactly is it, and what makes Murano glass different from any other glass?Murano glass has been produced on the island of Murano for centuries, and is its most famous export. The island of Murano, is just off the shore of Venice in Italy and has been a commercial port as far back as the 7th century, and by the 10th century had become a bustling city of trade.The old traditions of producing glass jewellery create a variety of different and beautiful effects, and many of the old production techniques are still used today to produce glass jewellery, contemporary art and unique home accents.

Today Murano attracts tourists and jewellery lovers from all over, and Murano jewellery really captures the essence of the beauty of Italy, whether in a delicate heart necklace or a statement glass ring, and the craftsmanship needed to create these pieces is clear.One of my favourite Murano techniques is ‘venturia’ which means adventure, and involves impressing flecks of gold into the glass for a shimmery metallic finish. I love this as it means the pieces are decadent and suitable for all occasions, and of course the magpie in me loves anything with a shimmer!But all the techniques produce beautiful results and a piece of Murano jewellery is often regarded as a collectors item and something to cherish for years to come.