WOW! How different but brilliant are these glass gems.
But where would you wear a shimmering body piece of glass-melted beads on wire, aptly called Over The Top, with a matching price tag of £420?
And what about a dramatic £1,810 necklace of red glass, that looks as if you were wearing it back to front? Mind, it's guaranteed to get you noticed.
But just how wearable is glass jewellery? I was amazed at that what looked like razor-blade sharp shark's teeth and cutting-edge chokers, weren't in danger of slitting my throat.
My favourite pieces were a necklace and earrings made from recycled glass-louvred windows by Rebecca Ward.
A girl after my own heart, Rebecca collects glass from beaches, glaziers and demolition yards, breaks it up, tumbles it and creates simple organic jewellery using sterling silver and various types of thread and cable.
Another funky lady is Marianne Schliwinski, who also works with fragments of glass into which she incorporates photos, silver, gold, pearls, paper or other items, using techniques including mounting, hammering and setting, to create sophisticated brooches.
Our model Ingrid, former Metro FM DJ, dazzled visitors to the National Glass Centre, as she posed in pieces from this fascinating new exhibition which features the work of 39 contemporary international artists and runs until July 9.
Called Wearing Glass, this travelling show illustrates the amazing diversity of glass as a medium for stunning, contemporary jewellery and its fascination for designers from different creative backgrounds, including sculptors, gold and silversmiths, product designers and jewellers, as well as glass artists.
There's Maori-inspired amulets, pendants and brooches made from recycled glass, funky bead-garland necklaces with baroque influences and ethereal neckpieces – all quite beautiful.
There's about 250 works with prices ranging from £100-£2,500. That top price is for a sculptural body piece for looking at, not wearing.
The earrings I loved and made from recycled louvred windows cost £110 and matching necklace, £340. They were amazingly light and delicate and for wearing any time, anywhere, so you'd get your money's worth.
With that celeb red carpet style back-to-front piece, you'd certainly be remembered. But who wants to pay £1,810 to hear someone say "Oh, she's not wearing that again."
As fascinating as the pieces, are the men and women who've made them. Where do they get their inspiration?
Karina Guevin of Canada, whose funky pebble necklaces were just too chunky a choker for my liking, said: "I explore the sensuality of glass. Making sculptural jewellery has taken my work to another level, a place where I can play and be totally crazy."
And she isn't alone. Michi Suzuki, of France, is inspired by plants and trees for her fabulously different, but very wearable, glass-beaded rings. Well priced at £115.
The scope and style of work on show ensures it will be a hit with anyone interested in glass as a creative medium, as well as those interested in the latest trends in bespoke jewellery.
And with the majority of pieces for sale you could be buying a collector's item – a classy glass investment for the future.


Small price to pay for big names

ORIGINAL necklaces from Chanel and Givenchy are just some of the pieces that make up this divine collection of vintage costume jewellery.
Cruise Vintage, features designs of the 1950s to 1980s. And what a coup to have such a collection of some 60-odd pieces.
Now I've told you, they'll be flying out. These are fabulous investments from ornate diamante necklaces to enamel brooches, oversized gold chains and vibrant rhinestone-embellished Lucite bracelets.
And there are pieces to suit every taste and budget from £25 to £240.
Designers featured in the range include Kramer, whose extravagant ornate styles often featuring rhinestones, faux gems and faux pearls, also manufactured jewellery for Christian Dior. 1940s–70s.
Lisner, famous for brightly-coloured Lucite pieces often highlighted with clear and coloured rhinestones. 1900s-79.
Lea Stein, renowned for producing stylised resin brooches in a variety of shapes including cats, dogs, foxes, ladybirds and people, 1960s to present day.
Selro, best known for brightly coloured moulded faces. 1950s–60s.
Trifari, prestigious American manufacturer with celebrity clientele. 1900s–80s
Lauren Anderson, jewellery buyer for Cruise said: "While some people love to search for that one off piece of jewellery at a vintage store or market stall, other people are put off by the thought of rummaging or simply don't know where or how to start looking.
"We have done the hunting for our customers, tracking down some of the finest quality pieces, from international costume jewellery designers.
"The only trouble people will have is deciding which piece to choose, as no two pieces are the same, with each one being beautiful in its own right."
"Costume jewellery, due to its beautiful and often elaborate detailing, offers the finishing touch to any outfit.
"Whether it is to add drama to simplistic fashion or to simply decorate the neckline, wrist or ears, the timeless and expressive nature of costume jewellery communicates style and individuality."
Information cards displaying the period and designer of each piece, sit alongside the collection in all Cruise stores.
Lauren noted the importance of providing customers with background information about the range adding: "While many people will love these pieces for their beauty and unique characteristics, others will be interested in the item's history, with many keen to invest in illustrious designers, whose products are often rare and collectible."
The collection is available in all Cruise women's stores now. Our nearest is in Newcastle. Prices range from £25 to £240.


Try it – wear it

THE National Glass Centre runs courses in glass-jewellery making for beginners and the more experienced.
There's a taster session this Sunday from 1-4pm, price £15.
An intermediate six-week course starts on July 20 to August 24 from 10am-1pm, or 6pm-9pm, price £68.
Places are limited. For more information call the National Glass Centre on 515 5555.
The courses are designed to introduce students to a variety of glass-making skills working in a professional glass studio using specialist tools, equipment and materials, with tuition from Studio Glass Artists and specialist staff.
Using coloured "Bulseye" glass, students develop the knowledge to cut glass to size, assemble their design, and decide on the appropriate firing technique.
They produce their own one-off glass jewellery using kiln forming techniques. After firing and carrying out any cold work, the glass components are assembled using silver findings to create earings, pendants etc.
* The National Glass Centre also accepts commissions for one-off jewellery designs.


Dame Liz is alive and blinging

SCREEN legend Elizabeth Taylor, truly the Queen of Bling, glittered with some of the world's most famous jewels the other day, was determined to show the world she is still alive if not exactly kicking – dazzlingly wealthy.
Adorned with gems from her great love affairs and her own line of designer jewels, she flashed the giant 33-carat ring given to her by her most famous co-star and two-time husband, Richard Burton, and said: "Oh, come on. do I look I'm dying? Do I look I have Alzheimer's"
Just last month reports went around the world that she had little time left and was fast losing her wits.
Scorning her gloom-sayers, Dame Elizabeth, in her first interview in three years, joked and twinkled. At 74, she looked radiant in a bright lime-green tunic and sitting in a wheelchair.
She modelled some of the jewellery from her House of Taylor range she has designed.
Wearing a £99,400 sapphire and diamond necklace from the range, she admitted she is in chronic pain with a bad back and uses a wheelchair and said: "I'm loving what I'm doing, designing jewellery."
Liz is pictured above wearing the ruby and diamond brooch designed by herself for the House of Taylor collection.
It costs £45,800. Her sparkling sapphire and diamond necklace is from the screen legend's range, which she is launching at a gems fair in Las Vegas this week.
What a snip at just £99,400.
On her finger sits the pricless 33-carat Krupp diamond, given as a Valentine's gift by Richard Burton.