Today, people love to collect it. And there are even a few dozen pink Depression glass pieces and sets that have sold for over $1,000 throughout the years. Even in small doses, they have the potential to be harmful. Ruby Red LLC is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. (CHIP) AU $25.00. It is made in a variety of colors and many times has intricate designs etched into it. Pink Depression Glass was made from the 1920s to the mid-1940s. (Source). As you may have guessed, Uranium glass contains uranium oxide, which gives the glass a yellow or yellow-green tint, makes it radioactive, and causes it to glow vibrantly under a UV black lightif thats not cool on some level, we dont know what is! You should not put these dishes in the oven or on the stovetop either. 1. In its natural state, uranium dioxide is a vivid yellow. Depression Glass was used every day, so there will most likely be some damage to all pieces of authentic pink Depression Glass. While combing the beach with a blacklight at night, they found a strange piece of sea glass that glowed under UV light. I can say that I personally dont serve anything on my depression glass (unless its a special event or something) because Im a collector and want to keep it in good condition. Among the companies that did mark their glass was Heisey, whose brand was an "H" inside a diamond shape. I have many Petalware dishes and love them as they are light weight. Depression glass cannot be eaten or drank off. "The Daze," a newspaper devoted to Depression glass, and books like The Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass by Gene Florence will help get you started. with a sort of uneven swirl on bottoms. Get out there! It also comes in lots of different patterns: Cherry Blossom, Dogwood, Princess (shown below), and Sunflower, just to name a few. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. It was originally made with green scrap glass added into milk glass mixtures (8). Broughton says that people in his field hunt for uranium-containing Fiestaware all the time. How do I find out if they have any lead or other chemiclas in them? The bowls and serving bowls were wrapped in paper and carefully packed. How to tell the difference between depression glass and uranium glass. Some popular pink Depression Glass patterns include: The Cameo pattern was the 3rd most popular pattern that pink Depression Glass had. Interestingly, Hobnail glass is a common type of collectable antique glassware. It even was given out at movie theaters and other businesses! While some Uranium glass has an oily sheen to it, that doesnt mean that a piece lacking said sheen isnt real. Depression glass was used for everyday tasks and was prone to scratching, so scratches are likely due to the delicate nature of real Depression glass. The owner immediately marked up those items prices. The value of Uranium glass pieces is affected by 4 main factors - these include: 1. They are likely to explode. 3. They were meant for daily use and used in American households as such, which meant that pieces today show their years of wear. Do not wash the vintage glass in the dishwasher. Additionally, most jadeite items were made using presses, which allowed for mass production. However, this is not the most valuable pattern that pink Depression Glass is found in, so you likely wont be able to sell it for over $100. This will leave a good margin to sell it somewhere else for even more. The coloring agent in Vaseline glass is uranium which is mixed into the glass at the time of production. Familiarize yourself with popular depression glass patterns so you can more easily identify depression glassware when you see it. Like I said, getting it appraised is the only sure-fire way to get the value. Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home! The highest concentration of lead is usually in the paint on the outside of the Pyrex bowl or dish. Pale pink is the color du jourin homes, restaurants, and even workspaces. Id love to hear what you come up with! My Mom inherited her Grandmother and Mothers Depression Glass, and then went on to hunt down more pieces. In terms of Uranium glass's radioactivity, while pieces from the late 19th and early 20th centuries were made of 2-25% uranium, their level of radioactivity is still negligible in the long run; people are exposed to radioactive materials on a daily basis, and while we wouldn't recommend eating, I love adding new pieces or replacing chipped ones with ones that look new. Would you eat from something that glows under black light and is RADIOACTIVE??? In the 1930s, when Depression glass was created, scientists didnt fully understand the dangers of uranium and radioactive materials. It has distinctive a distinctive knob pattern and comes in a variety of colors. In addition, consider adding foods high in zinc to your diet. With more than 20 manufacturers across the US producing nearly 100 distinct patterns, Depression glass pieces run the gamut, but a few identifying characteristics shine through across the category. But thousands of similarly radioactive plates and cups can be found in antique stores, thrift shops, and possibly your own kitchen cabinets. Thank you! "There are just too many glasses out there for one collector to get them all," says Michael Kelly, co-author of Collectible Drinking Glasses: Identification and Values. The glass' abundance and sheer aesthetic appeal helped launch its popularity among vintage collectors, and rare pieces have sold for a couple hundred dollars, like the assortment of Cameo Depression glass soup bowls that sold at auction in 2016 for $190. However, that result would vary depending on the hue of pink glass you have. But don't worry, they're not toxic. I also love that I get to be a part of something that my grandmother started. This colorful glassware, an inexpensive and cheerful antidote to the dark days of the Great Depression, was not actually known by its current name until the 1970s, when collectors named it. I don't want to trash it without knowing anything for sure, given that it was a gift and it's lovely to look at. By Caroline Eubanks. The amount of uranium in uranium glass (aka vaseline glass) is at trace level. Many different kinds of glass can have a yellowish-green hue, but the thing that sets Vaseline glass apart from the rest is the fact that it glows green when it is exposed to UV light. Although pink Depression Glass may seem uninteresting to many, it is quite fascinating, especially when you consider how popular it has been since it was originally made. As far as value is concerned, Id suggest having it appraised to be sure. The pink is Madrid, I found out, and has raised seam lines. Vaseline glass is a subset of Uranium glass that has uranium in it, but that is only yellow in color. Signs that a piece might be a reproduction include a somewhat crude pattern and an inconsistent, muddy color. This can be dangerous. I have a set that was gifted to me years ago; it was a collection that was built up over time, just as a collection, not for actual use. As I mentioned before, my most recent addition came from a random art/frame storethe seller had no idea what treasure he had (or what he could have charged)! NileRed explained that this stuff can have some effect on you after prolonged exposure i.e. However, what do you need to know about pink Depression Glass before you start collecting it? NRC is the federal agency charged with ensuring that the United States has the safest and most . The Mayfair and Princess patterns were incredibly popular Depression Glass patterns, and dishes that have the Mayfair pattern can be extremely valuable depending on the color of the glass. Photo by JJ Harrison CC BY-SA 2.5. But what concerns me more is whether there is lead in it. Learn your stuff. A 2001 study by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission indicated that some uranium might be leached from the glass by acids that could result in very small radiation . refined and processed . The most valuable pink Depression Glass SETS that have been sold recently are Jeannettes Cherry Blossom pattern, Macbeth-Evans American Sweetheart pattern, Hockings Mayfair pattern, Federal Glasss Sharon (aka Cabbage Rose), and Hockings Miss America pattern. This means the chemicals could be ingested over a long period of time. I excitedly went home and looked up what other people are selling it for and discovered that its going for $125 online! The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends against using these types of dishes for their original purposes due to the amount of uranium found in them. Pink Depression Glass is still safe to use nowadays. One of them is the exact pattern you have pictured above on the gold plate under learn the patterns and the next one how do i start? Of course I cant find the name of it. (Source). This includes the popular Depression patterns mentioned above, as well as lesser-known patterns such as Aurora. 1. Of course I would avoid lead crystal, but that doesn't appear to be what they're talking about in some instances, and it's not clear to me whether other colors might have also contained lead to add to the clarity of the glass. They thought school administrators had overreacted. Sign up for our email, delivered twice a week. Call Studio Antiques now at 310-322 -3895 to see what is presently in the shop! The most valuable pink Depression Glass items sold are rare pieces in the Mayfair (Open Rose) pattern from Hocking Glass Company, such as the 3 legged serving bowl and the sugar bowl with lid. Can you eat off of the deprsson glass? Answer: You can identify your Depression Glass by checking out marks on the bottom, but you also need to know the pattern. A uranium glass piece that is extremely common can cost under $100. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns of the potential dangers of consuming Uranium. Most cobalt blue Depression glass pieces aren't found for a dime a dozen anymore. If you are lucky enough to find Depression glass at a second-hand store, you will save money and typically end up paying prices similar to the prices in the 1930s. If you want to determine if your pink Depression Glass is authentic and how valuable it is, useThe Collectors Encyclopedia of Depression Glass by Gene and Cathy Florenceor theKovels Antique Price Guide. 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