The normal colour of uranium glass ranges from yellow to green depending on the oxidation state and concentration of the metal ions, although this may be altered by the addition of other elements as glass colorants. Otherwise, modern uranium glass is now mainly limited to small objects like beads or marbles as scientific or decorative novelties. Most such objects are now considered antiques or retro-era collectibles, although there has been a minor revival in art glassware. Uranium glass was once made into tableware and household items, but fell out of widespread use when the availability of uranium to most industries was sharply curtailed during the Cold War in the 1940s to 1990s. James Powell’s Whitefriars glass company in London, England, was one of the first to market the glowing glass, but other manufacturers soon realised its sales potential and Uranium glass was produced across Europe and later North America.

įirst identified in 1789 by a German chemist, uranium was soon being added to decorative glass for its fluorescent effect. The proportion usually varies from trace levels to about 2% uranium by weight, although some 20th-century pieces were made with up to 25% uranium. Uranium glass is glass which has had uranium, usually in oxide diuranate form, added to a glass mix before melting for colouration. It dated to 1890 and was in excellent condition.Uranium glass used as lead-in seals in a vacuum capacitor A multicolored Vaseline glass epergne in the shape of three trumpet flowers sold for more than $1,000 in March 2021.It was in excellent condition and featured a pretty decorative motif. A Vaseline glass dish in the shape of a fan sold for about $75 in April 2021.A pair of vintage Vaseline glass candlesticks in good condition sold for $40 in April 2021.

Here are some sample values for Vaseline glass pieces: The best way to know if a piece of Vaseline glass is valuable is to look at the recent sales prices for similar items. Additionally, rare pieces, such as those with multiple colors of glass or featuring unique and interesting designs, can fetch much more than average. Older items tend to be more valuable than newer pieces, all other factors being equal. The condition of the piece is very important, with scratches, chips, and repairs having a negative effect on value. Many individual pieces of Vaseline glass sell in the range of $20 to $50, but they can be worth more or less depending on a number of factors. Some uranium glass is still made overseas. This lasted until 1958 when the laws were loosened and glass makers began producing Vaseline glass again in limited quantities, but in 1970, the EPA reports that all US manufacturers ceased production of radioactive glass. The glass faded in popularity after the 1920s as regulations were enacted in 1943, heavily restricting the use of uranium due to its use in World War II.

Technically, the yellow and green pieces are both uranium glass. Vaseline glass makers began with the yellow pieces and eventually added in iron oxide to make pieces with the green color, which were referred to as uranium glass. Some of the most common glassmakers were Adams & Company, Steuben Glass, Baccarat and Cambridge Glass Company. It became popular to add uranium dioxide to glass in the 1830s and an interest in Vaseline glass boomed around the 1880s. Uranium dioxide has been used to make glass for centuries and pieces have been found as old as from 79 A.D.

Black light for uranium glass