How to Turn Glass Art for Sale into a Valuable Investment

Purchasing a piece of contemporary art is more than a way to beautify your home. With the right purchase, it can also be a smart way to make a long-term investment with your money that could even appreciate in value over time.

Investing in glass art for sale is not the same as investing in the stock market, however. There are no portfolios or ROIs to peruse. Yet there are still ways you can make sure that when you buy modern art, you’re making a smart purchase. Here are a few words of advice when it comes to glass art for sale in particular.

Don’t follow trends
Art trends, like fashion, come and go in cycles. Don’t buy a glass sculpture you won’t personally enjoy looking at every day just because you saw the artist featured in a magazine. Follow your own artistic eye to choose a piece that you will love, no matter its monetary value.

Do your research
It can be impossible to forecast which contemporary glass artists will be remembered 50 or even 100 years from now, but understanding a little bit about their history and accomplishments can help you gauge their potential worth. Albert Paley, for example, a metal sculptor who has been working out of his Rochester, NY, studio for more than 40 years, was the first sculptor to receive Institute Honors from the American Institute of Architects, the highest accolade awarded to non-architects. His unique pieces are highly distinctive and coveted by collectors.

Look for the historical
Even an untrained eye can find value in old works for their historical merit. Glassblowing has been around since the earliest days of the Roman Empire in the 1st century B.C., and works that have withstood the test of time can be very valuable for collectors. Both freeblown and mold-blown works, the two major methods of glassblowing, can be found from cultures around the world and throughout the ages.

Choosing to purchase glass art for sale, as opposed to traditional painting artworks, is a wonderful way to diversify and augment your collection. Unlike paintings, it’s difficult to forge a glass sculpture. When you find a work you love, consider it an investment, both financially and aesthetically.