FAQ

1. What is the difference between Tiffany lamps, Tiffany style lamps, stained glass lamps, reproduction Tiffany lamps, and original Tiffany lamps?

Tiffany lamps may mean many things, but most commonly it is the general term for Tiffany style lamps, Tiffany reproduction lamps, and the original Tiffany lamps made by the Tiffany Studios, New York. Original Tiffany lamps are made by the Tiffany Studios New York in late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Tiffany reproduction lamps are reproductions of the original Tiffany lamps. Tiffany style lamps are stained glass lamps inspired by the original Tiffany lamps and other stained glass and Art Nouveau subjects. Stained glass lamps are lamps which shades are made of stained glass (many pieces soldered together). Some stained glass lamps have stained glass bases as well.

2. Are you selling original Tiffany lamps, reproduction Tiffany lamps, or Tiffany style lamps? We sell heirloom-quality reproduction Tiffany lamps and Tiffany style stained glass lamps. We do not sell original Tiffany lamps made by the Tiffany Studio, New York.

3. Are the methods and techniques different in the making of Tiffany style lamps, Tiffany reproduction lamps, and the original Tiffany lamps? The making of most Tiffany style lamps and reproduction Tiffany lamps follow the tradition of the original Tiffany lamps, by soldering many (often hundreds) of counts of colorful stained glass together. However, please be aware that a small number of Tiffany lamps are made of plastics with glue, or entire glass shades from the mold. These kinds of lamps actually can NOT be called Tiffany lamps, and they have much less value than true Tiffany lamps. 

4. How much do the Tiffany lamps cost? The cost of a Tiffany lamp varies. The original Tiffany lamps can go anywhere from a few thousand dollars to few millions of dollars. Many of the original Tiffany lamps are in private collection and in museums.

5. How can I tell the difference between the good Tiffany lamp and the bad Tiffany lamp? There are the expert’s way to determine the quality of the Tiffany lamps. Fortunately, there are also easy ways that everyone can use to judge the quality of the Tiffany lamps.

6. What materials do you use in your Tiffany lamps? We use the very fine stained glass in the shades of the Tiffany lamps, and zinc alloy in the bases of the Tiffany lamps.

Judge the Quality of a Tiffany Lamp

Most Tiffany style lamps on the market come with bases made of poly rezin. Some high-end styles use bronze bases made of zink alloy. Other than their various designs, these bases are in general comparable in quality among the vendors. The value of a Tiffany lamp mainly comes from its shade. Fortunately, you will be able to judge the quality of a lampshade using your own eyes and hands. Two things you need to look at—glass and solder.

Glass

Cheap knockoffs use low quality glass. Such glass looks rough and lacks brilliance, consequently they need to rely on the bulb light to present the artistic patterns. Often times, the colors are not well coordinated in those lamps. This is because of the inconsistent nature of the low-end glass used, which makes it almost impossible to find the exact color variations.

On the other hand, a fine Tiffany style lamp is hand made with high quality stained glass that shines even when the light bulb is not on. The patterns are clear all the way through, and the light only enhances the beauty of the lamp. The texture of art glass is smooth. Colors are precise, consistent, and well balanced, bringing nature to life.

Solder

A simple way to inspect the craftsmanship is to study the solder lines. The solder lines on a good Tiffany style lamp is finely drawn, even, and well polished. They are firm and usually plump, supporting the glass artwork and holding the shades tight. The solder on a low quality Tiffany style lamp is inconsistent - thick at some places and thin at other places. You can easily see break-down joints and flat shapes throughout the solder framework.

Touch the shade and see for yourself. The lampshade of a fine Tiffany style lamp feels like one coherent surface, with smooth and even solder lines separating glass pieces. When you touch the surface of a cheap duplicate, your hands won’t have much satisfaction. The solder lines are rough, and if you are not careful, some of them may cut your fingers.