How to Identify Antique Mercury Glass Bead Garland

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I've collected vintage and antique mercury glass Christmas ornaments for several years, including (probably) hundreds of Shiny Brites. It wasn't until just a few years ago, though, that I discovered antique mercury glass bead garlands. I had only ever seen people share the garlands online for a while, but then, I started to see them in person...for a lot of money most of the time! I was able to collect a few at antique shows, but I wanted to be sure of how to identify them, in case I saw them at a thrift store, estate sale, or garage sale. I've learned a few clues to spot them and want to pass along that info so you'll be able to as well! 

I've seen the mercury glass garland in lots of colors, including gold, green, red, pink, silvery blue, and multi-color. Some strands have small beads and some a bit larger. There are some fancier beads in different shapes, as well, but those are a bit rarer. I recently saw some garlands at an antique show with much larger and ornate beads. They sold for over $60 a piece and were the first I've seen like them. I normally spend between $8-$15 a strand (prefer less than $10). I do, however, see them for much higher sometimes ($25-$45). As with anything, you have to know how much you want to spend on things, so you can jump on an opportunity if it presents itself.

Clue #1

The mercury glass bead garland is lighter than you think it might be. Even though the strands are made up of hundreds of glass beads, they don't weigh much. Because of this, the garland has really pretty drape and tends to stay in place better than a plastic bead garland would. They also have a very distinctive sound when they tap each other...but I have no way of conveying that in a blog post. If you ever have the chance to handle them in person, you'll know what I'm talking about. ‍

Clue #2

The beads on the mercury glass garland are strung loosely, without knots between them. You can see this very well on strands that have seen better days, with beads having been broken off over the years, leaving extra string being exposed. I don't mind this, as it adds to the charm of the garland, but I do know that lots of people buy loose bead lots online and re-string them. That's always an option if you don't have luck in finding whole garlands in the wild!

Clue #3

A lot of the antique mercury glass bead garlands that I've found have have tiny pieces of cardboard on one or both ends. I've seen them in the shape of a circle, square, and star. I honestly don't know what the cardboard was originally for, but will try to do some research. While over the years, lots of the garlands have lost these pieces, many still remain, and are a tell tale sign that the beads are authentically antique.

Clue #4

One of the easiest ways to tell an authentic antique mercury glass bead is that they're not perfectly round, in that each of the openings have a bit of a lip, instead of being perfectly smooth. I think this one clue can help you identify almost instantly whether or not the garland or beads are the real deal. Most of the time the beads are in an individual form, but occasionally, there are pieces that have several fused together. I've seen some items where that seems intentional and others where it's just a few on the strand, so I wonder if it was an anomaly. Either way, the lip on the beads will still be evident.

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Don't tell my Shiny Brite ornaments, but mercury glass beaded garland is quickly becoming my favorite vintage Christmas find. It's a bit more elusive, which instantly makes it more appealing to me. It's also so versatile! You can use it as actual garland on your tree or mantel, drape it over decorative objects, or simply load it into a pretty jar and enjoy the colors! The jars also keep the beads safe-I store mine in the jars all year.

I think one of the best parts of collecting vintage Christmas decorations, including the mercury glass bead garland, is being able to tuck them throughout the house, even if I'm not using them in their traditional way. They add so much sparkle and magic to the season. I love to think about who owned them and the memories they were a part of.

I hope that these "clues" for identifying antique mercury glass garland are helpful. I really believe that once you see a strand in person, you will be able to put these tips into action and you'll know right away if they're the real deal. If you have a collection of your own, share a pic of your finds on Instagram and tag me so I can see: @hilaryprall.