Updated on May 21st, 2021
I guess the closest thing I have to a family heirloom is a gorgeous, ruby red punch bowl that I use now as a fruit bowl. I value the gem-like qualities of the bowl the same way I would if it were a real ruby, say, in a super-sized cocktail ring that was left to me.

The punch bowl was part of a set, but the only pieces left include three small, round plates. Even a cracker looks elegant against this rich red background. These plates are probably the reason I love glass dinnerware, whether it is crystal clear or in deep gemstone colors. But I knew there wasn’t much of a chance of easily finding a modern, glass dinnerware set in deep colors.
Gleaming Ball of Cobalt
So imagine my excitement when I walked into a Walmart store and saw a jewel-of-a bowl in shiny cobalt blue. The bowls, which can be used for cereal or soup, are made by Anchor Hocking. I picked up four to buy, but I didn’t stop there. On Anchorhocking’s website, there was an entire 18-piece dinnerware set selling at a big discount. I ordered it. Walmart also has sets online.

The great thing about glass dinnerware is it’s very cheap. The ones we’ve seen in 18-, 20,- or 24-pieces are all under $60. For that low price, you can set a beautifully inviting table. And since the glass dishes are muted–even the cobalt blue set is unassuming–they won’t clash with any dinnerware you might add from a non-glass set.
Glass Dinnerware on a Budget

Squaring It Off
The glass dinnerware collections seem to all have room for the square-shape, which adds an artsy look to the dinner table. Libby, also a large American glassmaker, has a clear, square set that looks like a flat sculpture.

Here’s an idea: If you take pieces from the cobalt blue set, add clear glass pieces (they would be a good stand-in for white) and mix them with any non-glass red dinnerware, the presentation would work for celebrating the summer holidays.
What ideas do you have for using glass dinnerware sets?