The jewelry artist sets stunning globs of glass-like gems into sterling silver and 18k gold vermeil statement pieces

Mariquita Masterson and I share a love of glass. From sun-catchers in the kitchen window of my childhood home to the riot of color in the stained-glass windows of the church I attended growing up to the dedicated shelving and strategically placed lights installed in our house to spotlight a collection of colored bottles and vases—including some from a bucket list trip to the island of Murano in Italy—it’s safe to say I’ve got a thing for glass. Houston-based Masterson has had one, too, for more than 30 years. She takes broken bits, purposely sculpted shapes, and smooth cabochons in a rainbow of colors and puts them into simple prong-set sterling silver or 18k gold vermeil styles. Most are statement pieces, as is this Ruby Red Glass Chunk necklace below, and some are accented with a frosting technique or gold foil for additional effect. And while the pigeon’s-blood ruby version of the piece below is out of reach (or not even available) for most, Masterson’s masterpieces can offer size and the color at a fraction of the cost.

Ruby Red Glass Chunk necklace in 18k gold vermeil, $2,150

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JCK