12 Best Mercury Glass Furnishings For Your Home

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Certain vintage items have either stuck around, or have been brought back into modern fashion. Today, we’re taking a look at one of these fabulous oldies made new – contemporary mercury glass.

What Is Mercury Glass?

Mercury glass is an attractive material with a metallic and mirror-like finish. It can come in a variety of colors with silver and gold being the most common. Today, this glass is often used for candle holders, ornaments, and lamps.

History

Now, mercury glass may cause a bit of concern from its name alone. Up until the 1930s, some ornaments and vases were indeed created with mercury. However, this deadly-sounding material actually had another name — silvered glass.

You see, traditional mercury glass was made by incorporating a double-walled design. This leaves a space between the walls of whatever the glassblower was forming. A liquid silvering solution is then poured into the space, silvering it. The space is then sealed to keep the insides untarnished. The solution didn’t have to include mercury, but after all these years, mercury glass is the name that stuck.

Modern Practice

Today, manufacturers have entirely left the mercury in mercury glass out. Instead, many of them use a silver nitrate and glucose mix for their wares. Artisanal silvered glass decor is still being made, and there are many fine craftsmen out there who are experts at the art. These pieces can cost a tidy sum, but oftentimes, they’re more than worth the price.

For anyone looking for a cheaper and more accessible alternative, there’s always the wonderful online world of Amazon to turn to. The cheaper pieces often forgo the double-walled technique. Instead, they simply line the inside of a glass vessel with a silvering material, leaving it somewhat exposed. This ingenious technique allows the look of mercury glass to be achieved without the high price tag.

Online mercury glass products won’t match the quality of artisanal glass, of course. But they will save you a good amount and still look stunning in your home. We have a list of some of the best ones available below, so stick with us!

Why Buy Mercury Glass Items?

Mercury glass is an altogether intriguing material to work with in home decor. It’s inherently vintage in appearance, and many pieces are made purposely distressed to mimic a more antique look. However, it still has the clean, metallic aesthetic to match a modern home. It’s a pretty safe choice for many styles of interior decor and should fit well in your home.

Silvered glass also adds some variety to modern glass decor. Some have a see-through or opaque look, but mercury glass has a bit of both. The coating on the inside allows the outer glass to appear translucent until the eye catches on the metallic finish. This unique appearance makes it naturally stand out. Let’s take a look at some of the best mercury glass pieces on the market today, so you can see exactly what makes the material so attractive.

Best Mercury Glass Candle Holders

We can start with mercury glass candle holders. These elegant pieces are often used for outdoor parties, bringing some life to a decorated table. They work well with both wax and electric candles, reflecting the light off their inner metallic coatings. Some even use these pieces as votives. Given their beauty and the halo-like effect they produce, it’s certainly fitting.

Read more: How To Get Rid Of The Mercury Thermostat

1. [Just Artifacts] Round Mercury Glass Candle Holders

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These Round Mercury Glass Candle Holders from Just Artifacts are perfect for any outdoor occasion. They add a touch of light to any table setup and will save many tablecloths from unwanted wax stains. As a set of 12, they’re a worthy investment for all your garden parties and get-togethers.

2. [LEWORKUS] Silver and Pink Mercury Glass Tea Candle Holders

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These Silver and Pink Mercury Glass Tea Candle Holders from LEWORKUS make for gorgeous decor. Whether they’re placed on a shelf, table, or mantle, the complementary set is sure to catch anyone’s eye. The material proves silvered glass can pull off the modern look when paired with bright colors. We know you’ll love seeing these pieces in your home.

3. [DN DECONATION] Assorted Mercury Glass Candle Holders

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These Assorted Mercury Glass Candle Holders from DN DECONATION sprinkle some variety to the table. A matching set doesn’t always mean an identical one, after all. The pieces in this mini collection all come in a gorgeous bronze hue and unmatched forms. Despite their differences, they can still tie together a look for any room they’re in.

4. [Letine] Gold Mercury Glass Candle Holders

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If you want both quality and quantity, you may wish to look at the Gold Mercury Glass Candle Holders from Letine. The glittering gold finish and the smattering of distressed silvered glass all come together for that elegant and vintage aesthetic. This bang for your buck package is absolutely ideal for larger parties.

Best Mercury Glass Ornaments

Next, let’s go through some of the beautiful mercury glass ornaments that can be found online. These are traditionally presented as Christmas decor, but why stop there? Silvered glass ornaments can be used year-round in the right places. Hang some pink ones up for Valentine’s, black ones for Halloween, or some orange ones in fall. Some tinier baubles can even be hung on everyday shelves to add a touch of glamor. You’re only limited by your imagination with these ornaments. With that, let’s look for some inspiration in these products.

1. [Creative Co-Op] Embossed Mercury Glass Ornament Garland

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The Embossed Mercury Glass Ornament Garland from Creative Co-op is well-suited for some peppy and pretty events. The ornaments come in different shades of a beloved color, and they bring bright energy to any room. Whether hung together or bunched up in a centerpiece, this garland is a real head-turner.

2. [Serene Spaces Living] Copper Mercury Glass Ornaments

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The autumnal colors are vibrant with the Copper Mercury Glass Ornaments from Serene Spaces Living. These jewel-like pieces are small but stunning. Their little caps are even shaped to look a bit like acorn tops, adding to their charm. Dot these around a wreath of fall leaves for the ultimate autumn look.

3. [Serene Spaces Living] Platinum Mercury Glass Ball Ornaments

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The Platinum Mercury Glass Ball Ornaments from Serene Spaces Living is an example of classic meeting modern. The mercury glass finish adds that touch of vintage charm to an otherwise contemporary set. Hang these up as ominous dark orbs on Halloween to bamboozle trick or treaters. Or, for a more traditional use, place them against a white Christmas tree for some brilliant contrast.

Read more: How To Install A Mercury Thermostat In A Kegerator

4. [Luna Bazaar] Mini Mercury Glass Ball Ornaments

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The Mini Mercury Glass Ball Ornaments from Luna Bazaar can go almost anywhere. Imagine a string of these baubles dangling from either side of your bookshelf. Think of how nice their silver finish would look catching the light around a lampshade. Tie them together or keep them apart. Either way, you’ll certainly find a spot for them in your home.

Best Mercury Glass Lamps

Mercury glass lamps are some of the most classy and stylish fixtures out there. When used as the base, silvered glass catches light beautifully. Even when used as an accent, the material shines well. The ones we have listed below are some prime examples.

1. [Regency Hill] Cottage Mercury Glass Lamp

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The Cottage Mercury Glass Lamp from Regency Hill is well suited to the brighter side of cottage-core. The burlap-like lampshade fits a more rustic aesthetic. But, the glass body of this lamp still exudes vintage class. A setup with a lot of whites and light beiges will easily match this unique piece.

2. [360 Lighting] USB Mercury Glass Lamps

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The struggle of reaching behind a bedside table to charge your phone is a familiar one. That’s why the USB Mercury Glass Lamps from 360 Lighting are on our list. They act as both beautiful glass fixtures and convenient charging stations for your devices. You’ll no longer need to struggle with that socket! The USB ports on the bases of these lamps got you covered.

Read more: When Did They Stop Using Mercury In Mirrors

3. [Décor Therapy] Standing Lamp with Mercury Glass Accents

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The Standing Lamp with Mercury Glass Accents from Decor Therapy is another elegant fixture for your living room. This time, the silvered glass is an accent on its long body, situated right below the lampshade. It strikes a lovely contrast against the dark metal of the lampstand. This piece will likely suit any modern or vintage room your heart desires.

4. [SUNWIND] Solar Mercury Glass Jar Lamps

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SUNWIND’s Solar Mercury Glass Jar Lamps bring beautiful silvered glass lighting outdoors. These solar-powered devices are excellent for brightening up your backyard in the most enchanting way possible. With their speckled finish, their shadows can almost mimic stars. Hang these up under your porch roof or leave them on your outdoor table. That way, you can enjoy their glow when the sun goes down.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mercury Glass

• Read more: Where Is The Three-Seeded Mercury Plant Native To

  Is mercury glass harmful?

Modern mercury glass no longer has mercury to create its signature sheen. Antique mercury glass, on the other hand, may contain some amounts of mercury depending on the glassmaker. It’s recommended to do your research on a piece’s history and manufacturer to learn if it’s likely to contain mercury or not. Not all antique mercury glass contains the dangerous metal, but it is a factor you need to consider before purchasing.

• Is mercury glass valuable?

Mercury glass comes in all shapes, sizes, and qualities. Because of this, the values of different pieces tend to differ. Many of the more antique and pristine items can fetch a tidy sum when put on the market. However, a majority of silvered glass can be found at relatively inexpensive prices. Modern, single-walled silvered glass in particular is usually very affordable.

• Do they still make mercury glass?

Mercury glass is still being made and sold today. Some craftsmen make artisanal-level pieces in Europe and other parts of the world. And, of course, modern, single-walled silvered glass is also being made and sold online.

Conclusion

Mercury glass seems to be following in the footsteps of stained glass — it’s an old trend with new tricks. The gorgeous material has once again found its way into modern decor. Whether artisanal or single-walled, one thing’s for sure. Mercury glass has proven itself to be beautiful at any age, and it has the potential to remain in style for years to come.