Millefiori Pendant Necklaces

Author:

I enjoy lapidary (gemstone polishing and faceting), reading, writing, crochet, beading, home decorating, jewellery making and upcycling.

An Italian millefiori pendant necklace displays beautiful details made of glass that adds a splash of colour to any outfit. They are loved by both adults and children and make a great addition to any jewelry collection. If you’re looking to buy a pendant online, this article explains the history and techniques used in glass cane production and where to buy these necklaces online.

You can find some really beautiful millefiori pendants online, like this one I bought last year.

This interesting, modern-style pendant adds extra dimension to the flowers by the use of sloped sides.
Style Hive

History of Millefiori

Millefiori is a glasswork technique that combines different coloured glass to make decorative, mosaic patterns. The name “millefiori” (1000 flowers) comes from the Italian “mille” (thousand) and “fiori” (flowers) and is usually made with Murano (ancient Venetian style) glass, hence the association of caned mosaic glassware being associated with Italy.

This art dates back to Ancient Roman, Phoenician and Alexandrian times. The technique of caning was revived in the nineteenth century in Venice, as interest grew in glass jewellery. Glass millefiori is the most highly prized as it has a three dimensional, colourful appearance. It’s easy to determine the expertise of the crafter in the intricacy of the style created.

Today, many factories in Italy, France and England manufacture millefiori pendants and beads. You might have seen them incorporated in glass paperweights, vases or made with polymer clay into bowls and candleholders. Glass millefiori is beautiful, ages well and is uplifting to look at. Children are especially fascinated by the beauty of the designs.

These colourful murrines are all slices of different glass canes.
SL Universe

Another example of the beautiful millefiori heart pendants available at Amazon.

How Millefiori Pendants Are Made

The technique of caning involves fusing different coloured rods of glass together, then pulling the molten tube of glass at each end to lengthen the cane. When cooled, cross sections of the cane are sliced into tablets, called “murrines”.

Murrines are applied and melted over a glass core to produce curved surfaces. In commercial production, murrines are melted in specially shaped molds.

After cooling, murrines are polished to enhance their detailed beauty and may be drilled to add a hole for silver findings or cord. The technique of caning is used with all sorts of materials, the most popular being glass, polymer clay and other clays.

Polymer clay is easier to manipulate to make canes than the glass techniques—hence, expect to pay less for polymer clay than glass pendants.

Where to Buy a Millefiori Pendant Necklace

There are a large variety of necklaces for sale, but they can be hard to find. Colourful millefiori pendants are available at eBay and high-quality pendants can be purchased at Amazon and through individual glass manufacturers online.

The quality of the millefiori should determine the price—you can tell by looking at the detail of the pendant whether the artist has mastered the technique. The size of the pendant also affects the price as larger pieces use more glass and require more handiwork.

A small millefiori pendant matches any outfit.

Thank you for reading my article. If you’re looking for a delightful, colourful gift for a child, or wearable glass art for yourself, a millefiori pendant necklace is an excellent choice because they age well and draw a lot of compliments!

A rare, antique baccus concentric millefiori paperweight sold at auction for $4200 US.

Comments

allyndagreeno on December 25, 2017:

I would click the vote up or useful button but I don't see either. Great article!

Susie Lehto from Minnesota on July 09, 2015:

I have not made millefiori jewelry but I have made millefiori polymer clay that I used in clay sculptures. I love working with clay. This is a beautiful hub, Suzanne. - Kudos!

Susan from India on December 18, 2013:

I have never heard of them. They look so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.