Handmade Crystal Glass Jewelry by Gala Glass, $135
Born in a small island close to Venice, Italy called Murano, Angelo Tiozzo is from a town famous for families of master glassmakers for which Murano is world-renowned for. He was the firstborn son of one such family.
Feeling the effects of poverty on his family, Angelo went to work in a glass workshop, other than the one where his father worked. So starting at the very young age of eleven, he began polishing his craft under the tutelage of Murano's great glassmakers. His younger brothers soon joined him in Murano’s glass workshops and many of them continue to practice the art to this day.
In 1966, Angelo moved to Canada and helped create Gala Glass which quickly became the country’s leading authority on handmade crystal glass creations. Four decades and over fifty years of glassmaking-experience later, Angelo has transformed Gala Glass from a fledging operation into a growing family business with his wife and two sons.
Today, Angelo and his associates use a variety of traditional and innovative glass shaping techniques to create beautiful, elegant and timeless heirloom pieces. Angelo is such a stickler for quality that every piece is inspected by a trained member of the Tiozzo family to ensure the highest of standards.
We received three pieces from the Gala Glass Collection – the Dichroic Glass Pendant in Gold which retails for $60 (on sale for $21.97), the Rectangular Aurora Glass Earring in Black/Silver/Gold which retails for $45 (on sale for $19.97), and the Spiral Glass Ring in Red/Black/Gold which retails for $30 (on sale for $14.97).
Just like we did, you’re probably asking yourselves how these breathtaking glass jewelries can be sold at such prices! Well, after receiving the pieces they sent us, I can assure you that these are high quality pieces that happen to be offered at the fairest of prices. In fact, if you’re looking for holiday gifts, now would be a good time to stock up on these babies. The sale prices mentioned above are only good until the end of this month. With the 90-day guarantee they offer with every piece they sell, you just can’t go wrong.
Now back to the review – starting with the pendant – a crystal glass that is fused with precious metal oxides in golds, reds, and blues. Hanging from a black cord, this piece is simply gorgeous. It’s a versatile necklace that goes glam with a skinny pair of jeans and this lime and slate blouse for a night out. Two other shapes and colors are available in this Dichroic Collection.
Onto the glass earrings which by the way is available in three shapes – rectangular, teardrop, and infinity. The combination of black, silver, and gold in this piece is very elegant and will totally dress up any outfit. It’s effortlessly chic and very light on the ears. I paired it up with a red dress like this one from Diane von Furstenberg and the coupling is absolute fabulousity.
Now the ring – in spiraling colors of red, black, and gold – trendy to the nth degree and oh so funky! It’s available in five other colors but this particular combination of red, black, and gold is chic-defined. It’s to-die-for with a sophisticated little black dress.
If you’re not chomping at the bit yet, let me tell you that Gala Glass is having a contest wherein the price is $250 worth of free handmade creations. If I were you, I’d sign up for it and while you’re there, stock up on holiday gifts – prices go up October 1st!
Reviewed by: Chic Techie
