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Order Process
Policies
Murano Glass
Other Information
How can I find a particular product on your site?
We have a Search function that allows you to look for specific words and phrases in the names of our products, and Advanced Search function that also allows you to search in product descriptions and/or limit your search to products within a certain price range. To use the basic Search function, just type the words you are looking for into
the Search box located in the upper left-hand part of the page right above "Shop by Product" section, and click "Go" to see all products that match the criteria. Example: you can type "gold-plated" into the Search box and press "Go" to see all gold-plated items.
To use Advanced Search, click on "advanced search" link just underneath the Search box. Enter a word or a phrase, and check "Search in Product Descriptions" if you want to see the results based on rpoduct descriptions. You can select a specific product category or "All Categories" in the dropdown box, and check "Include Subcategories" if you'd like to look in the subcategories of the chosen category. Finally, you can set product price limits to only find
products that fall within the specified price range. Example: suppose you want to find all blue-colored pendants that cost
between $15 and $50 on our site. Click on "advanced search" link underneath the basic Search box on the home page, and enter the word "Blue" into the top box. Select "Pendants" in the Categories drop-down and check "Include Subcategories". Type 15 into "Price From" box and 50 into "Price To" box. Click "Search". You will see all pendants that have Blue in their product names or descriptions and cost between $15 and $50.
I saw a product that I like and would like to find a matching
accessory to make it a set. How can I find a match?
In many cases we have matching earrings, bracelets, brooches and more available for a particluar necklace or pendant. There are two ways to find matching products on our site:
1) You can use the Search function found on top of the "Shop By Product" section on our Home Page. Just type in the significant word(s) of the product name into the Search box and click "Go" to see all products that have a similar product name. For example, if you are looking for a match to Ca D'Oro Yellow Gold necklace, just type "Ca D'Oro Gold" into the Search box and it will show the Ca D'Oro Yellow Gold necklace and earrings that make up a perfect set. Please see "How
can I find a particular product on your site?" section above to get more information on using the Search function.
2) You can find matching products in Collections. Collection is a set of products that have similar design and color scheme. Collections can be found at the end of our "Shop By Product" list (you can see all the Collections listed on the bottom left of every page if you scroll all the way down). For example, to find all matches for the same Ca D'Oro Yellow Gold necklace, you can find Ca D'Oro Collection here and select the matching products among all Ca D'Oro accessories you see. In addition, every product that is a part of a Collection has this information in its description along with the link to that particular Collection, which says "To see the whole collection, please click here"
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards and Paypal. On an exception basis we can also accept US money orders
and personal checks. If you would like to pay us by money order or check, please e-mail us before placing an order at sales@glassofvenice.com
On large orders we prefer interbank wire transfers. Please e-mail us at sales@glassofvenice.comor by following this link for details. We offer an additional 1% discount from your order of $1,000+ if paid via bank transfer.
Do you accept orders from countries other than U.S.?
Yes, we accept orders from many countries outside of the U.S. We ship our products to the U.K., most continental European countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Israel, Turkey, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and many other countries. Please refer to the country drop-down list during checkout process to see a full list of the countries that you can order from. If you would like to place an order but do not see your country in the list, please feel free to e-mail us at info@glassofvenice.com and we will do our best to assist you.
How soon will my order be processed and shipped?
We strive to process all orders within 1 business day of their receipt whenever possible.
We will send you an e-mail confirmation along with the details of your order as well as the tracking information when it becomes available. If any
part of your order is not in-stock, we will contact you to determine how to proceed. All our products are hand-made in Venice, Italy, and when we run out of stock we may have to wait for the arrival of additional stock from Venice. In many instances we are able to offer you a similar product that is in stock to help you avoid the wait. Due to the nature of our products, some items (such as chandeliers) will need to be custom-made by the artisans in Murano to your specifications. We will clearly indicate such cases on the item descriptions and estimate the expected time for the products to arrive.
What are your shipping methods and costs?
We ship via USPS, UPS, and FedEx. During the
check-out process you will have an option to choose the delivery method you prefer. Free shipping is available on all orders over $100 shipped to
the Continental U.S. You may choose an alternative shipping method at an extra cost, which will be calculated automatically based on your ship-to address
at the time of checkout.
I want to purchase a gift. Do you provide gift-wrapping?
Yes, at your request we can gift-wrap your product. For jewelry we use gift boxes that are gender-neutral and fit any special occasion. For other items, gift packaging varies depending on the size and shape of the item. We will also include a gift note at no extra charge if you write the text you would like to appear on the gift note in the "Notes" section during the checkout.
What is "Save Venice" option during Check-out?
We do not only sell beautiful Venetian products but also strive to make a difference in the world by teaming up with our customers to help Venice to survive and sustain its rich cultural heritage for generations to come. To achieve this, we offer a unique program, called "Save Venice". Just place your order with us and select the appropriate amount from Save Venice section. The amount that you add will become a part of our donation program. Once the funds contributed by all our clients total up to $100, we will add another $100 and donate the $200 to www.SaveVenice.org – a non-profit American charitable organization working on projects to save and protect Venice and its unique and fragile heritage. Please read more about the program here.
Do you collect sales tax?
As mandated by the U.S. tax code, we collect 7% New Jersey State sales tax on all orders shipped to New Jersey. We do not charge taxes on orders shipped elsewhere. On international orders, it is the customer's responsibility to comply with their respective country's laws and regulations pertaining to custom duties and taxes.
Can I place a custom order with you?
Yes, we welcome custom orders. We can work directly with master glassblowers in Murano to create a custom product for you. Please contact us with any custom requests you might have at sales@glassofvenice.com or by following this link and we will do our best to accommodate them.
What if I want an item that is not on your website?
We make every effort to keep our clients satisfied and help them find what they are looking for. Even if we don’t have an item that you want in our inventory, we can work with multiple master glassblowers in Murano to find or create it for you. Please contact us with any custom requests you might have at sales@glassofvenice.com or by following this link and we will do our best to accommodate them.
I clicked "See the whole collection" link. How do I order other products from the collection?
When you are viewing a product, you will often see a link on the bottom of the product page that allows you to see other products from the same collection. The collection represents the full range of items in a particular style that our master artisans are able to create. Due to a large variety of product options, usually we will have some of these products in our inventory, but not others. However, we are able to order from Murano artisans any item that you see in our Collections pages. If you would like to order a product from the collection that you don't see on our web site, please submit your request here or send us an e-mail at sales@glassofvenice.com.
How can I order a chandelier?
As every chandelier is a unique labor-intensive work of art, it is always made to order. You can pick from a number of customization options such as color, number of lamps, and even design. Please follow this link for more information on ordering our chandeliers.
Do you sell your products wholesale?
In order to streamline the ordering process and make it easy and user-friendly for our wholesale clients, we created a separate website, www.MuranoGlassWorld.com, dedicated exclusively to our wholesale offering.
Note: In order to see the prices on this website, you will need to create an account on www.MuranoGlassWorld.com. After the registration, you account will typically be reviewed within the next 24 hours and, once approved, you will receive a separate e-mail confirming your account approval. After that, you will be able to view the prices and submit your wholesale orders to us.
Are you able to offer corporate gifts?
Absolutely! Many of our products make ideal corporate gifts. We can work with master glassblowers in Murano to create a custom product for you or customize existing products to include your company logo, information about your event etc. We can also customize the packaging material to suit your needs. We are happy to work with you to understand your requirements and determine how we can meet them.
What is your return/exchange policy?
We have a total customer satisfaction policy which implies that if you are not satisfied with the product you received for any reason, return it to us within 30 days of delivery for a full refund or exchange. Items must be returned in original wrapping/packaging in sellable condition unless defective. In order to better serve you in the future, please also send us a brief explanation of the reason why you would like to return/exchange your item. Please click here for more details.
Is my information secure?
Secure storage and transmission of our customer`s sensitive information is our top priority. Unlike most of our competitors on the Internet, we work to protect the security of your information by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) software, which encrypts information you input. We implemented a top-notch 256-bit encryption for all the data you transmit during checkout and registration process so that there is no chance for unauthorized access to it. Please click on the Site Seal icon on the bottom left corner of this page to see more information on our Certificate.
What is your privacy policy?
Your privacy is very important to us. We diligently protect the information you share with us from any unauthorized use. With that in mind, we developed an extensive Privacy Policy to address any concerns you may have and explain how we handle your sensitive information. We encourage you to read our Privacy Policy to ensure your familiarity with our approach to this important subject.
What are your general terms and conditions?
We value honest and open conduct with our customers. To ensure that you have all the information on how we operate, we publish our Terms and Conditions on our Web Site and we encourage you to review them to stay informed.
How can I be sure that your products are authentic?
We differ from our competitors in that we were founded with only one purpose: to help our global client base get access to the wide variety of authentic Murano glass that has previously been only available in Venice, at prices better than one would find in Venice. We specialize only in Murano Glass. In fact, we do not sell anything else, and we have been in business for six years with thousands of loyal clients worldwide. The Management of the company is Italian-educated with knowledge of Italian language and culture, and we travel to Murano often to maintain our close relationships with the artisans and provide them with constant feedback to achieve high quality products that follow latest trends. We deal only with reputable Murano-based artisans that have been creating Murano Glass for decades. Each product we sell comes with certificate of authenticity in English and Italian to assure your clients that the items they purchase are genuine. For further assurance please view our video which we shot on one of our trips to Murano, featuring famous Murano Glass-making process.
I returned from Venice and realized I should have bought more Murano glass there. What can I do now?
While visiting Venice, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the quantity and variety of Murano glass offered for sale all over the city. However, once the tourists return home and start wearing or displaying their beautiful Murano glass purchases, they instantly get many complements and questions about these items, prompting them to think that they should have purchased more Murano glass items both for themselves and as gifts. Then they realize that Murano glass is not widely available around them, and wonder “is it too late to buy more?” Fortunately, the answer is “no, it is not too late”.
While outside of Venice there are not many stores specializing in genuine Murano glass, and counterfeits are abound, one can still find a good selection of genuine Murano glass products even after they leave Italy by going online. Sites like GlassOfVenice.com feature a full line of authentic Murano glass jewelry, accessories, and home décor imported directly from Venice and offered at very reasonable prices.
I have a beautiful glass item. Is it Murano glass?
As with many works of art, it is not always easy to determine whether a particular glass item is authentic Murano glass, and it is even harder to attribute it to a particular master. Over the centuries, there were so many trends and techniques in Murano glass that the spectrum of possibilities of what a genuine Murano glass item may look like is very wide. From imitations of classical antiquity to enameled glass, glass made to look like chalcedony or other semi-precious stones, glass with filigree and engravings, Murano masters made miracles out of glass for 800 years. These days, one can only come across Murano glassware from the Middle Ages in museums such as the famous Glass Museum in Murano. However, Murano glass from more recent times such as 19th and 20th century, often made by famous masters, can often be found in ordinary people’s possessions.
If you come across an item that you think may be Murano glass, first of all look for any labels, etchings, stamps or signs stating the origin of the item or name of the glass-making company. If you find any, and it contains names like Salviati, Seguso, Barovier, Toso, Moretti, Mandruzzato, Venini, Zanetti, Nason, Signoretto, Barbini, Bianconi, Cenedese or words like “Vetro Murano”, “Vetreria Artistica….Murano”, “Maestri Vetrai Murano” or similar, you are probably holding a genuine Murano glass article. If there are no labels or etchings, identification is more complicated and has to be made on the basis of the look and glassmaking technique alone. The best approach in this case is to take several high quality photos of your article from various viewpoints and send them to experts for identification and attribution. GlassOfVenice.com has been dealing with Murano glass for many years and can help you with such requests for free.
What is the difference between Murano glass and any other glass?
Murano glass is glass in a chemical sense of the word. However, Murano glass is as different from, say, the glass in your window panes, as Rembrandt paintings are different from an empty canvas. Murano glass is created only on the island of Murano, located within the borders of the city of Venice in Northern Italy. This glass is made from silica, soda, lime and potassium melted together in a special furnace at a temperature of 1500°C to reach a liquid state. Gold or silver foil are often added to the glass mixture, along with such minerals as copper for sparkles, zinc for white color, cobalt for blue, manganese for violet, and so on. The mixture is then mouth-blown and/or hand-crafted by master glassmakers using special techniques and basic tools, many of which have been developed in the Middle Ages and changed little since then. This method of glass-making results in unique creations with rich coloring and beautiful, sometimes surreal, patterns and shapes, deserving to be called “works of art”. Even though beautiful glassware has also been created in other places around the world, none of the glassware still being produced has such rich history and so much artistic value as Murano glass.
I had a favorite Murano glass item and it broke. Can it be fixed?
Murano glass is hand-crafted by masters working the heated-up liquefied glass mass using special centuries-old techniques, and then cooling it down till it solidifies to form a specific pattern within a certain shape. For this reason, when an article made of Murano glass breaks, it is not possible to fix it except for gluing it together. Gluing may work if the item has a smooth break line and broke into only two or three pieces as opposed to many small ones.
If, based on the above conditions, you feel that it may be possible to glue the item back together, first of all you need to buy the right glue. We recommend using E-6000® glue for Murano glass, or any glass for that matter. This is a very strong waterproof and flexible adhesive once it dries. The only downside is its long drying time- make sure to let it dry for 24 to 72 hours after application. With this glue, apply a thin coat to both glass surfaces that you need to attach, wait ten minutes and strongly press the surfaces together. Then put the item aside and let dry. Make sure you use this glue only in an area that has adequate ventilation.
If your Murano glass broke in such a way that it can’t be glued together, or if it just cracked inside its frame (like may be the case with Millefiori pendants), your best option may be to try to find a replacement. Regardless of whether the Murano glass item was modern or vintage, purchased recently or long ago, there are companies specializing in Murano glass that will be willing to work with you to find a replacement.GlassOfVenice.com is one such company, which accepts custom requests and is often able to deliver the specified products.
How do I know if a Murano glass item is genuine?
This question is by far the most common one among those we receive. And this does not come as a surprise to us, since so many counterfeits have flooded the market in recent years, especially with the advent of the World Wide Web. Most Murano glass lovers appreciate this glass not only for its beauty but also for its historic, artistic, and sometimes sentimental value. So understandably they want to be sure they are buying the real thing rather than some cheap imitation. Here are the things to look for:
1) Look at the item itself (or its photos if buying online)
Does the item appear to be hand-made with slightly uneven surface or texture, or perhaps tiny bubbles inside the glass? Are the photos clear and professional showing the surface and texture of the glass? Can the photos be enlarged so you can clearly see the patterns? Are the colors bright and rich? Does the item seem to glow from within? Does the description say “Murano Glass” (and not “Murano-style” or similar)? Does it talk about real gold or silver being used during production of the glass? You want to be able to answer YES to ALL of these questions when you are looking for a genuine article. Always look for the evidence of the hand-crafted nature of the items, good photos, rich colors and specific descriptions.
2) Look at what else comes with the item
Does the seller offer a certificate of authenticity stating the origin and the production process of the item? Does the certificate display any text in Italian language? Is special packaging offered with the item? Does the packaging look attractive and is it of good quality? Again if the answer is always YES you are on the right track.
3) Look at the seller
Is the seller reputable? Does it share information about itself? Does it specialize only in Murano glass? Does the seller demonstrate good knowledge of Murano glass industry, techniques, production process, and history? Does it possess Italian background, education, or extensive travel experience to Italy? Does it offer a generous Return/Exchange policy? If it’s a website, is it professional-looking? Is there a real business address and phone number listed on the site? Look out for the addresses in Asia or in developing countries as this often is a counterfeit warning sign. Is it merely a large web portal selling lots of items from all sorts of sellers? Are any client testimonials or product reviews readily available on the site? Answering YES to these questions indicates the seller is likely to sell genuine Murano glass. On the flip-side, if the seller also sells lots of other cheap-looking jewelry and accessories, is known as a large seller of cheap household names, can’t tell you much about Murano or Murano glass, does not seem to have any links to Italy, or has a shady website, you are probably looking at counterfeits.
4) Look at the assortment of Murano glass products the seller offers
Does the seller offer a wide range of Murano glass products that includes jewelry, home decor items and high-end Murano glass items such as vases, chandeliers, or art glass? Does it offer any Millefiori items? If so, is there a large variety of them and are they of good quality, displaying intricate patterns with many mosaic pieces in them, and rich colors? Millefiori is one of the most difficult Murano glass techniques and is harder to fake than some other ones. Does the seller offer to work with you on procuring any custom items or items not in their inventory? Again, if you answered YES to these questions you can be reasonably sure you are dealing with the seller who offers genuine Murano glass.
In general, trust your instinct and common sense when buying Murano glass. If something tells you “beware”, try to find out as much information as possible from the seller, and if you are still not satisfied, just steer clear from it and look elsewhere.
Who makes your products?
Unlike many of our competitors, we are proud to sell only authentic Murano glass products made in Murano, Italy. Murano is an island that forms a part of the city of Venice, Italy. In our search for perfection we found the best artisans on the island of Murano and we work with them directly to bring their products to you at the lowest cost via our secure internet store. We sell only 100% authentic Murano glass from the artisans that have been in business for over 75 years and are members of Consorzio Promovetro trade association. This association guarantees that its members produce only the highest quality original Murano glass made according to the ancient techniques and traditions and upholds the fight against multiple reproductions and counterfeit copies of Murano glass circulating in the world today. All our products come with certificates of authenticity so that you can rest assured in the quality of the products you bought.
How should I care for my Murano glass products?
Murano jewelry requires very minor care and cleaning, and is generally quite durable. Please keep your Murano glass jewelry out of reach of children and pets, as some items may break if they fall on a hard surface. Larger items such as vases and chandeliers may dust more frequently and visibly, and require more thorough cleaning. Periodically wipe your glass items thoroughly with a clean, lint-free cloth. Make sure that your cloth has no cleaning solution on it that might leave a residue or damage your delicate Murano glass. You may use a lightly dampened lint-free cloth to remove any remaining spots after dry dusting. Please note that none of the Murano Glass items are dishwasher-safe, and will most likely be damaged in the dishwasher. Therefore, wash your glasses, bowls, etc. manually in warm water with soap.
Where can I find out more about Murano Glass?
We take great interest in studying about Murano Glass and sharing our knowledge with our customers. We offer original articles about Murano Glass on our website, including a comprehensive Overview of Murano Glass History and Glassmaking Techniques. We also try our best to respond to custom queries about Murano Glass items regarding their manufacturers, styles, etc. If you have such request you can e-mail it to us at info@glassofvenice.com or or by following Inquire on our Web Site
Can I see feedback from your other customers?
Yes, we are proud to report that we have many satisfied customers and we are happy to share with you the feedback that we received. You can find some quotes from our custiomers here. We hope that you too will like our products and service and invite you to send us your feedback.
In addition, we provide a way for our customers to leave comments about the products that they bought and share them with our web site visitors. If you bought a product from us, your review will be invaluable to all our customers. To write a product review, please log in to your account (or create one) on this page, locate the items that your ordered, click on Reviews, then Write Review on the bottom right of the page. Write a short text under Your Review and assign a Product Rating below. You'll get $0.20 worth of points credited to you for every review you write.
What are the benefits of creating an account at GlassOfVenice.com?
By registering with us you are getting access to a variety of services, which include:
- Permanent Cart – Any products that you added to your online cart remain there even after you log out, and you will be able to see them in your subsequent visits to the site until you remove them, or check them out.
- Coupons - From time to time we will send you communications about our current promotions and will include coupon codes. You will only be able to use these coupons if you have an account on our Web Site.
- Address Options - We can deliver your products to addresses other than yours. This is perfect if you would like to send gifts directly to the recipients.
- Order History - View the history of purchases that you have made with us.
- Product Reviews - Share your opinions on products with our other customers.
- Newsletters - We will send you newsletters describing our new products and offering you a glimpse into the life and art of Venice and Murano Island.
- Forums - You will be able to post questions or share thoughts on our forums.
What else can interest me on your site?
In order to better serve our clients and enhance their experience with our website, we decided to introduce a blog solely related to Murano glass, Venice, Italian culture, travel, and so on. You can access the blog at http://blog.glassofvenice.com. The blog is absolutely commercial-free and you are free to ask questions, make comments, share your ideas on the subject etc.
We value your thoughts and would truly appreciate your feedback on this initiative. Please tell us your thoughts by sending an e-mail to info@glassofvenice.com or by following this link.
I have a question not listed here
We welcome any other questions you may have. Contact us at info@glassofvenice.com or by following this link.
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