The Designer Glassware You Should Quietly Hunt For At Thrift Stores & Estate Sales

Glassware is easily one of the most common items you'll find at thrift stores. Cups, flutes, vases, tumblers, chalices, goblets, bowls, jugs, decanters, plates... You name it. It can be hard to navigate which pieces are worth bringing home and which would just be taking up space in your cupboard. Tiffany & Co. glass, not to be confused with Tiffany glass, definitely fits that first category. 

The luxury house may be best recognized for its pioneering jewelry design, but homeware and tableware have always been staples in its catalogue. The company, which has a rich history dating back to the 1830s, started as a fancy goods (i.e., ornamental pieces) store but quickly evolved to include high-end table services and drinkware — particularly in silver and crystal. These products are still sold today. 

Because of the brand's long-standing legacy and incredible worldwide success, Tiffany & Co. glass pieces aren't exactly rare and often pop up at thrift stores and estate sales. Most will be engraved with laser markings of the famous company logo, which has barely changed over the years, and some may even be accompanied by its equally iconic and time-honored blue box. Tiffany & Co. glass antiques don't seem to be as well researched and documented as the manufacturer's silver trove, so you'll likely stumble upon some incredible deals on unassuming treasures.

Thrifting Tiffany & Co. glassware can be as straightforward as looking for the brand name at the bottom of each piece. Of course, anything associated with what is widely considered the top U.S. luxury brand ranks among the valuable glass items you should be looking for at thrift stores and estate sales. Some thrifters have been finding Tiffany & Co. goods for chump change at their local second-hand stores. This is a massive steal considering the most affordable glassware on the Tiffany website at the time of writing is a set of two stemless champagne flutes for $95. 

However, because there isn't a well-established fandom for Tiffany & Co. glass antiques, it's hard to tell which pieces are particularly ancient, rare, and, therefore, more valuable. Even the fact that most Tiffany & Co. drinkware is crystal may not automatically make it expensive. Unless a piece is designer-grade, if it was made in the last 60 or so years, you shouldn't be paying big bucks for it — or expecting to resell it for a large profit. It can still be a great addition to your personal vintage display, though.

One of the most famous Tiffany & Co. collaborations to keep in mind is the Elsa Peretti line from the '80s. Typically marked "Elsa Peretti for Tiffany," this collection was defined by curvilinear shapes and vibrant colors. On eBay, some examples have sold for as much as $300. Emil Brost glassware from the 1990s is also particularly valuable.