Tip #4. Short of having the pieces analyzed for their content, we really dont know if the glass contains something to be concerned about. Theres nothing like inspecting a piece of glass that says Depression glass on it, putting it down, and whispering its a fake to your shopping buddy. The Princess Depression Glass pattern was made from 1931 to 1934, and many of these patterned dishes were pink. Additionally, most jadeite items were made using presses, which allowed for mass production. This includes the popular Depression patterns mentioned above, as well as lesser-known patterns such as Aurora. Though the originals vary from piece to piece, if the glass feels thick, its likely not real. Your email address will not be published. I grew up going to antique stores and markets with my mom and grandmother. I'm Stacy Jones and I love antiques! Certain colors of depression glass owe their unique coloring to uranium, which was first used to color glass in the 1830s. "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. Pink Depression Glass was made during the Great Depression Era of the 1920s through the early 1940s. This is rare but incredibly dangerous, even in small amounts. My wife Mary has been collecting this depression glass for 30+ years, she likes the cobalt blue dark blue kitchen ware and the colored ring patterns from Hocking. 2. This glass was made before the invention of the microwave so the glass was not made to withstand the radiation of a microwave. (Source). Depression glass has a rich history and is pleasing to look at. Courtesy of Dan and Lisa Sawyer/the_glowing_glass_guy_, Courtesy of Chelsea Lopez/girl.meets.glass, Sign up for our email, delivered twice a week. Large Obelisk 8 sided finial. There are no bubbles that I can see in the glass, except for some tiny blurbs and pitting on the surface, which can be from repeated use. Id love to hear about what you love to collect in the comments below or leave me a picture on my Facebook page. Share. I am considering using it as everyday dinnerware can you tell me if it is safe to use everyday, put it in the dish washer, etc? I feel like a pro every time. When you think of the Great Depression, images of people standing in long bread lines and banks boarding up their windows may come to mind. For reference, 90 PPM is the highest amount of . ( Source) Lead, Arsenic, and Uranium can all find their way into the food or drink and become a risk to the user. I am now wondering whether it is okay to eat off of, so I just did an internet search and feel unclear about the answer. It might be the memories ofcountless hours spent with my mom and sister in antique stores, or the pride of continuing my grandmothers collection, or even the thrill of the huntwhatever it is, I love collecting Depression glass. It contains low-level amounts of background radiation. Learn your stuff. Ruby Red LLC also participates in affiliate programs with Awin and other sites. For more than 15 years, this downtown dive bar has hosted fiery outdoor iron pours.. Some combinations may make you sleepy. Can you eat off of the deprsson glass? The prices of depression glass have also increased as these dishes have gained popularity. I have a large pink vase no design just frosted around the neck the whole vase is 15 darker clear pink rounded bottom very little flare at top almost like an hour glass cant find anything about it any where thought it may be a Fenton but not sure can you help me figure it out and if it is a valuable piece or not It was my husbands grandmothers who passed away she is related to king Edwards and to my surprise it states that on her death and birth certificate she has had the dishes since the 30s I think maybe longer she was born in 1910 so it could have been even in the 20s they first lived in Detroit before they came to california. They thought school administrators had overreacted. However, Depression Glass is still safe to collect and use for decoration. Unfortunately, I dont have a clear answer for you. This workhorse kitchen appliance will look good as new if you follow these expert-approved steps. Unlike uranium glass, these items are highly radioactive and harmful. When ingested, Uranium can be extremely harmful to your lungs, in extreme cases its consumption can lead to lung cancer. When I asked Dan if he gets weird looks when poking around shops with a black light, he says, Yes, at times, but it depends where I shop. Some in-the-know antique stores have blacklight displays. Hand wash depression glass and make sure to store it somewhere dry and stable. 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, Purple Depression Glass: Manganese. Nice column, excellent advice and information. As others have said, it's safe to use. Among the companies that did mark their glass was Heisey, whose brand was an "H" inside a diamond shape. This glassware was thin and often low-quality, so it sold very cheaply or was given away for free at events or with the purchase of other products. I would appreciate it. Pink Depression Glass began being produced in the 1920s. The real-life British buildings behind J.G. Choose a shade that works with a range of backsplash and countertop materials. Do not wash the vintage glass in the dishwasher. 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. I enjoyed learning about items she grew up with and collected throughout the years, and recognizing similar items when we would go antique shopping. Carnival glass gets its color from an application of metallic salts to it after it is removed from the mold. Alternatively, you can find lots of pieces in the same pattern. The symbol on Federal's glass was an "F" inside a shield. Pink Depression Glass that has the Cameo pattern is rare because it was only produced for a few years, so the pieces still left are limited. After the war, says Phil Broughton, it was no longer the cheapest green colorant available, and the amount of paperwork required to work with uranium in the United States dissuaded most glassworkers. Also,Worthpointis a great online resource that allows you to see the price of antique items that have been sold on Ebay and through many auction and estate sales. When the plate registered as radioactive, someone at the school panicked and called in a hazmat team. Answer (1 of 7): Uranium glass emits very little radiation, with a large area beta detector (plastic scintillation) detector I can measure the beta particles coming off it. Hes found a whipped-topping uranium glass dish with a matching spoon and a dish specifically for mayonnaise with a matching flat-bottomed spoon. Antique Spotlight: If You Own Any Uranium/Vaseline Glass, Check This Out! Most antique white glass rolling pins have wood handles. Green Depression Glass Flower Earrings. . I also love that I get to be a part of something that my grandmother started. (CHIP) AU $25.00. 6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023. Enjoy reading this post? And Its not just nuclear scientists that get excited about uranium glass. The following are the largest companies that manufactured pink Depression Glass for varying amounts of time and various patterns: Pink Depression Glass does not glow because it doesnt have any uranium embedded in it. 2023 Atlas Obscura. The blue is not cobalt, I dont believe as not that dark, but not light blue. It even was given out at movie theaters and other businesses! It also comes in lots of different patterns: Cherry Blossom, Dogwood, Princess (shown below), and Sunflower, just to name a few. If people want to collect uranium glass and Fiestaware, thats fine, its the radium-containing products that wed really prefer people dont collect, says Broughton. If your pink Depression Glass is flawless and doesnt have bubbles or lines, then it is not authentic and was made in modern times with modern techniques. The Causes of Hair Loss at the CrownPlus, What to Do About It, According to Experts. Whether inherited, found, or purchased, collectors value Depression-era pieces today for their historical significance as an innovative solution a bright moment during one of the darkest decades in American history. "Depression Glass" might be defined as collectible, mass-produced glassware (principally tableware), inexpensively produced and very popular in average American households beginning in the late 1920s, throughout the 1930s and into the 1940s. As for uranium glass, he says, theres much to appreciate. Typically, the only Depression Glass that glows is yellow or green Depression Glass. The highest concentration of lead is usually in the paint on the outside of the Pyrex bowl or dish. Uranium glass fell out of production in the United States during World War II when all uranium use was restricted to nuclear-weapons development. However, authentic Depression Glass does have a seam. Depression Glass that has the Princess pattern has a distinguished scalloped pattern, so it is easy to determine whether or not your pink Depression Glass has the Princess pattern on the exterior. I have a large set of Amber Madrid by Federal Glass. If your pink Depression Glass is thin, then it is likely authentic. From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner. It is made in a variety of colors and many times has intricate designs etched into it. My general rule is when in doubt, err on the side of caution. Depression glass has a rich history and is pleasing to . The bowls and serving bowls were wrapped in paper and carefully packed. We dont know about you, but we find the concept of glowing (albeit radioactive) glassware super cool heres a video of it under black light to see what it looks like! You should not put your Depression glass in the microwave. I see some of the straw lines you mentioned. When she passed, she left 3 to 4 pieces for each grandchild. If you want to serve with yours, then go for it! Whatever you do, be sure to bake a loaf of soda bread for the tableand end the meal on a sweet note with one of our dessert recipes just right for the holiday. But thousands of similarly radioactive plates and cups can be found in antique stores, thrift shops, and possibly your own kitchen cabinets. On the other hand, a rare uranium glass piece can set you back $10,000+. Deregulation occurred in 1958, but Uranium/Vaseline glass produced after that wasnt the same as before, due to the depleted uranium that was used instead of the more radioactive strain from before. Depression glass in the market todaydespite its imperfectionshas withstood 100 years, which speaks to the longevity of its appeal. I cant imagine what place settings would have looked like back then with all this green glass sitting out, says Dan. Uranium glass collectibles glow. Whats the chance one of our three kids will want this stuff shipped across the country? says Dan. In its natural state, uranium dioxide is a vivid yellow. He knows of uranium glassblowers in Germany, England, and New Zealand, but they mainly create glass art rather than glassware sets. Interestingly, Hobnail glass is a common type of collectable antique glassware. Very doubtful.. Laura B. It can be difficult to determine whether or not your pink Depression Glass is authentic by looking at the pattern on the glass, as pink Depression Glass was made in more than 100 different patterns, but the patterns will often have flaws in them because they were hand-etched.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'antiqueanswers_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-antiqueanswers_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Authentic pink Depression Glass often has bubbles trapped within the glass, and will usually have lines on the side and bottom of the glass. Although uranium glassware does register on a handheld Geiger counter, the radiation amounts are considered negligible and on par with radiation emitted from other everyday items such as smoke detectors and cell phones. Awesome article! AU$48.00. For some depression-era glassware collectors, the only color that matters is glow-in-the-dark. Since it is part of the glass, the uranium cannot rub off by contact. Shattered depression glass is not fun to pick . if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'antiqueanswers_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-antiqueanswers_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Depression glass is a type of dinnerware that was mass-produced in the 1920s and 1930s. 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. As far as I know, true depression glass didnt have animals on top. Familiarize yourself with popular depression glass patterns so you can more easily identify depression glassware when you see it. Vaseline glass is a subset of Uranium glass that has uranium in it, but that is only yellow in color. Folate and other B vitamins. It was produced in the Depression Era which is how it got its name. Fluorescent uranium Depression glass. Macbeth-Evans Glass Company became part of Corning in 1936 and is best known for their "American Sweetheart" pink pattern. You can determine whether or not pink Depression Glass is authentic by looking at the pattern, seam, bottom of the dishes, trim, etched details, and the shapes in the details in the glass. "I've learned that if you want a certain glass, be patient," says Kelly. This one has all the characteristics of depression glass but I dont want to assume that it is, mostly b/c I have not found another one like it. No they are not safe if they are the real things. Many different companies made pink Depression Glass, especially because it was an extremely popular color. Sort of like Fiesta ware of the 30's-50's - you can put certain things in them but you cannot put others in them . "In social situations, some people don't realize I withdraw or don't speak much because of depression. You can search for accredited members on their site: https://www.isa-appraisers.org/find-an-appraiser, I have a white (milk) glass rolling pin that has a seam running down the two sides of the roller. The bottoms are inset(?) Call Studio Antiques now at 310-322 -3895 to see what is presently in the shop! The Collectors Who Hunt Down Radioactive Glassware. Manufacturers didnt want to waste materials, so all glassware was thin. 8 plates, 8cups&sausers, desert boles Herbert cups and saucers. So overall it left me confused, and I just wondered if you've looked into this and can tell me anything definitive. Also called Vaseline glass, these pieces are usually yellow or green and have graced many an American table. It is a timeless piece of decor and is a great way to preserve history. Pink depression glass is the most valuable of all the colors from the depression glass collection, which was introduced between 1929 and 1939. Thank you to Live To Love Photography for the gorgeous images of your Depression glass collection! 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. Do not use ceramics like antique orange-red Fiestaware or Vaseline glass to hold food or drink. On March 17, there's much to dofrom cooking corned beef and cabbage and donning your finest green attire to raising a glass in honor of Irish pride. Manufacturers mass-produced these pieces speedily, which meant that imperfections were common: bubbles, molding flaws, and inconsistent coloring. If it makes a gentle clink, your glassware is most likely safe. Tinged varying shades of yellow, Vaseline glass can have an oily sheen to it, and is generally, although not always, translucent. Cobalt blue kitchenware, made by both Hocking Glass Co. and Hazel Atlas, has long been popular with collectors. Hand washing will limit the wearing down of your dishes and help preserve them. Thank you for the article and info here. After all, everyone is Irish onSt. Patrick's Day. It sounds like a beautiful piece you have! I also hope that youll join me in collecting what makes you happy. 3. Vaseline glass gets its oddly urinous color from radioactive uranium, which causes it to glow under a black . Although the amount of uranium youll leach out of a uranium glass is pathetically small, he says, as a general rule, [you] dont uptake radioactive material you dont have to do. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends not eating or drinking out of uranium glassware at all. 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. Its green, it looks awesome under UV light, and since its effectively crystal, really good artists can make some gorgeous works out of it.. Plus, find out how much it's worth today. NileRed explained that this stuff can have some effect on you after prolonged exposure i.e. Pink Depression Glass was made from the 1920s to the mid-1940s. The value of Uranium glass pieces is affected by 4 main factors - these include: 1. NRC is the federal agency charged with ensuring that the United States has the safest and most . However, it is recommended by health professionals that you do not consume food off of these dishes. Can you put depression glass in the microwave? A uranium glass piece that is extremely common can cost under $100. Some additional research studies have . October 11, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. EDT. My Mom inherited her Grandmother and Mothers Depression Glass, and then went on to hunt down more pieces. A variety of different companies released pink Depression Glass, but these companies released the colored glass at different times and in different patterns and shades. Look for faint markings on the bottom or bubbles in the glass to make sure it's authentic. The Princess pattern is popular among collectors, but pink Depression Glass that has this pattern is not extremely valuable because it was relatively common in the Great Depression Era. 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. About uranium glass dish with a range of backsplash and countertop materials a hazmat team in doubt err. 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