Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2013

If you are doing some holiday shopping for someone special and looking for something that is, well, special, you may want to look into glass jewelry from Sugahara. Japanese craftsmen create handmade glasses and plates at the company’s Chiba workshop. But they also spin off delicate rings (from ¥5,250), necklaces (from ¥10,500) and earrings (from ¥11,500). Most pieces are made from various colors of glass that have been blended, creating unique colors and others have been scraped and polished to create patterns below the surface. And since everything is handmade, you can be sure you are giving a one-of-a kind gift. The company also offers classes on making glass jewelry, so your holiday shopping may lead to a new hobby. Available online from www.sugahara.com and at Sugahara Aoyama (3-10-18 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku).