The more time you spend at estate sales the more you’ll realize that the buying possibilities are endless.

If you have any interest in glass paperweights, don’t waste time seeking out upcoming estate sales in your area. This is the best place to turn if you’re looking to grow your collection.

While you may have a basic idea of what you’re looking for, here’s some additional information to keep in mind:

·      Glass paperweights rose to popularity in the 1850s, with these becoming one of the most sought after desk accessories of the time. While popularity died off around the turn of the century, it began to pick up steam once again in 1950s.

·      Get this: everything about a glass paperweight is made of glass, including what you see inside. This is why paperweights weigh so much; there’s nothing cheap about them.

·      The earliest paperweights were made in France, the United States, England, Bohemia, and Venice. While you can buy paperweights that originated in many parts of the world, the most popular early models were created in Pantin, Clichy, and Baccarat.

There are many places to purchase glass paperweights, but there’s no better feeling than finding a gem at a local estate sale.

Once you come across one of these, do your best to identify the age and origin. From there, you’ll have a better idea of what you’re getting if you decide to make a purchase. Happy hunting!

Bonus: you may came across the term millefiori as you learn more about glass paperweights. This is a glasswork technique which generates unique patterns on glassware.