To many people, there is nothing more beautiful than a stream of light shining through a stained glass window: the vibrant colors and intricate designs providing comfort and warmth to everyone inside. At the same time, there are few things more tragic than the sight of one of these carefully crafted masterpieces that has suffered the ravages of storms, fires, or vandalism. All of this raises the question: How does one determine the replacement value of these artistic wonders, some of which may be centuries old and otherwise considered irreplaceable?

After all, how can we begin to assign a value to one of the historic Basilica of the Sacred Heart stained glass windows, created in the late 1800s in Notre Dame, Indiana? What is the value of the carefully crafted Tiffany window at the First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado? How much is the abstract "Spiritual Awakening," made of glass shaded with air-brushed enamel, which illuminates the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in New Berlin, Wisconsin?

The answer was usually "priceless," or at best, a guess. Aside from possibly Tiffany- and La Farge-designed stained glass, a monetary answer for virtually any piece is available. While replicating stained glass may indeed be expensive, it can be done by restoration experts capable of closely approximating values.