Glass paper weights are ornamental items designed for desktop use. Paper weights can be customized for a company or brand, designed as keepsakes from a special place, or personalized. Typical glass paper weights tend to be monolithic hunks of silica (a non-crystalline solid). However, you can also find weights which feature chambers of air, water, and even colored sand.

Let's go over some rules to keep your glass weights in top shape. First of all, when it comes to storage, keep your glass paper weights away from precipices and edges of windows. Weights tend to be dense, and they can easily shatter if they fall from a height of more than a foot.

In addition, display your paper weights away from the direct sunlight. Glass weights can act like magnifying lenses and concentrate light on a very small area of your desk or windowsill. If you leave a glass paper weight on your desk in the sun, it can char your desk or, at the very least, warp its coloration. One way to solve this problem is to stick a mirror underneath your paper weight. This will add even more 'reflective sheen' and prevent desk scarring.

To clean your paper weights, use rubbing alcohol and a soft dry cloth or tissue paper. Get pure rubbing alcohol if you can. Alternatively, you can use a nonabrasive detergent and water. Just be sure to rinse off all the detergent and to dry the weights completely after cleaning, so you don't leave fingerprints, residue, or water spots.