How to Identify Antique Mercury Glass Bead Garland
Interior
November 27, 2024

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.

fireplace mantel with vintage christmas decorations, including blow mold santa, jewelry tree, doll house, mercury glass bead garland
This is the first year I've added mercury glass bead garland to our mantel display and I think I'm in love! I found some strands with the usual beads, but also more unique additions like satin ornaments and tassels. I love the extra sparkle they add! 
shelf with antique putz houses and mercury glass bead garland
You can see the beaded garland draped on the hooks in our entryway on the shelf hooks. It hangs so nicely and doesn't budge once it's in place like plastic garland tends to do. I think it's because the beads are so light...they just stay where you put them.

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!

mercury glass bead garland
I know the loose string might bother some people, but the charm of antiques and vintage, to me, is that they show their age and all the love that they've seen. Plus, as I layer on more and more garland, you don't even notice the extra string or missing beads! 

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.

mercury glass bead garland
I am continually amazed at how well-preserved many of the vintage Christmas decorations that I collect are. This is especially considering how fragile the materials are from which they were made. I mean, glass and cardboard...neither of which should seemingly have longevity. I think it goes to show how precious these items were, and have continued to be, considered.
open shelving with mercury glass bead garland in jars
I was so excited a couple of years ago to find the colorful mercury glass bead garland that had been my grandma's! I have it displayed here in the antique strawberry preserves jar. I will be honest that I don't remember it specifically on her tree, but have since seen it in a few old pictures. What is almost more precious to me is how I found them, carefully wrapped in paper towels in an old checkbook box. That couldn't have been more appropriate for my grandma. She took impeccable care of everything she owned (she was, after-all, a Depression Era baby) and she was an original recycler, reusing things after their original purpose was done.

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.

mercury glass bead garland
The lips or raised edges at the openings of the beads is so clear, once you see it. It really is a great way to identify actual antique beaded garlands! 
arrangement with vintage christmas decorations and milk galss and mccoy pottery
The little silver beaded picks in this arrangement have beads that are still fused together. I'm assuming they were meant to be that way. You can also see on the redps at the openings. Not all beads were made into garland. You'll also see them used on smaller decorations used for wreaths and other decorative purposes.
colorful mercury glass bead garland

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.

wooden commode and bust of a woman with antique mercury glass bead garland
I found this bust at an estate sale a few years ago and love to decorate her! She's currently wearing a faux diamond strand, a couple new mercury glass garlands I found this year, and my great grandma's wedding tiara.
bench with vintage and antique christmas decorations
bench with vintage and antique christmas decorations
I'm still working on this display and probably will be all season...that's how my Christmas decorating goes. I love how all these colors mix and mingle, though. There's just something magical about Santa mugs, putz houses, and mercury glass garland! The more the merrier!
vase with mercury glass bead garland and mercury glass candles
I think the garlands in this vase were some of my first finds. I nestled in some branches from an aluminum Christmas tree and mercury glass "candles".
open shelving with vintage christmas decorations
I don't fully decorate every room, but I love to add a bit of holiday cheer here and there. A few bits of vintage Christmas ornaments and decorations in the laundry room make a boring task so much better.
coffee table with a plant and vintage christmas decorations

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.

farmhouse table with vintage christmas decorations
We're still playing it safe with our actual Christmas tree since getting a kitten a little over a year ago. While he seems grown (he's giant), he is still wild! No ornaments on the tree this year, but I still have them around in different ways. I decided to display the vintage and antique ornaments I inherited from my grandparents. There are even two that were made by either my dad or his brothers, with "Mom" and "Dad" and "1961" written on them in glitter. I love how special they are! 

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.

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