If youre not afraid of (teeny tiny doses of) radiation, good luck with your search and happy hunting! Depression glass has a rich history and is pleasing to look at. However, Depression Glass is still safe to collect and use for decoration. I grew up going to antique stores and markets with my mom and grandmother. And yet, like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs. The Collectors Who Hunt Down Radioactive Glassware. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. (NNSA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are responsible for the safety and security of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. The Collectors Encyclopedia of Depression Glass by Gene and Cathy Florence, Anchor Hocking Glass Company (otherwise known as the Hocking Glass Company. By that, he means that having a Fiestaware plate, a reliable source of radiation, is handy for making sure your radiation-detection meter is working. I'm Stacy Jones and I love antiques! This pattern is also sometimes called Ballerina or Dancing Girl, and can be identified by the pattern of a string of pearls. For a long time, the value has been around $5 for a cup. Depression glass has a rich history and is pleasing to . 9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown. Although the Great Depression technically began in 1929, what came to be known as Depression Glass actually began being produced in 1923, according to the National Depression Glass Association. Since it is part of the glass, the uranium cannot rub off by contact. The Right Way to Clean Every Part of Your Oven, From the Racks to the Door Glass. But don't worry, they're not toxic. Hes also intrigued by how everything seemed to have its own dish in the early 1900s. As part of the carnival glass craze, these pieces were often given as prizes at fairs in the 1930s. Except 4 light pink with no pattern on them. A 10-inch dinner plate, for instance, was valued at $16 in the '80s, but sells for $35 today. They are affordable, often selling for under $10 on eBay, so it's easy to mix and match your patterns to create an eclectic set. Pink Depression Glass that is authentic often has floral or geometric patterns. The scientists dismayed by the events at Haddon Township High School were not upset that someone had brought in a radioactive plate. NRC is the federal agency charged with ensuring that the United States has the safest and most . It's hard to find cobalt blue mixing . I found a great website that shows you all of the patterns manufactured. Omega-3 fatty acids. I love collecting it and it gives me great joy. Can you tell me what it may pe worth? Manufacturers mass-produced these pieces speedily, which meant that imperfections were common: bubbles, molding flaws, and inconsistent coloring. Reproduction glass is very thick compared to the original. If it were one cheap saucer or something I'd just throw it out (I've generally done that when it's something I'm not sure about and don't want to send it to Goodwill to lead-poison someone else's child); but it's a whole set and a collectible, so I'd rather know something before just getting rid of it. While you may be able to recognize some pieces just by looking at them, it takes a UV black light to officially see whether or not the glass flouresces due to the presence of uranium; keep in mind, the glass glows green only because of the uranium, not because its radioactive. While Depression-era glass was and continues to be wildly popular as a collectors item, there are other types of glass that remain a hot commodity, be it for their color, shape, rarity, or material; Uranium glass (or Vaseline glass, as its also called, known for its petroleum jelly yellow color) is just as highly sought after, and perhaps even more intriguing than Depression glass because of its chemical makeup, as showcased in this video. Shades can range from a translucent canary yellow to an opaque milky white depending on how much uranium is added to the glass, from just a trace to upwards of 25 percent. Id love to hear about what you love to collect in the comments below or leave me a picture on my Facebook page. As with other Depression Glass items, the larger and more unique items are generally worth a lot more than plates and bowls. (I also bought several blue pieces, not cobalt but not light blue.) Sign up for our email, delivered twice a week. Is Depression glass safe to eat off of? Common depression glass colors include amber, blue, pink, and green. These vibrant dishes helped cheer up Americans during a bleak time. That said, these dishes were made for everyday use. That sounds like a beautiful collection! It features the Block Optic pattern in green glass and has consistently retained a value of $4 to $5 for a number of years. The Pyrex that tested positive was basically everything I own and any of the parts with color, which included Crazy Daisy, Blue Snowflake Garland, Forest . When the Great Depression plummeted the country's market, costly glassware fell out of favor among consumers. Jeannette Glassware, originally Jeannette Bottle Works, was founded in 1888. This workhorse kitchen appliance will look good as new if you follow these expert-approved steps. Lead poisoning can cause stomach problems, headaches, and even seizures in adults, and is especially dangerous for children and fetuses because it affects the development of the brain and nerves . Signs that a piece might be a reproduction include a somewhat crude pattern and an inconsistent, muddy color. To make sure you dont miss a thing, follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram and sign up for an email subscriptionto my blog. This is rare but incredibly dangerous, even in small amounts. Thanks for your comment and happy treasure hunting. Many websites say that the glass is safe to eat because it only contains a small amount of Uranium. deep-fried foods. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. While combing the beach with a blacklight at night, they found a strange piece of sea glass that glowed under UV light. Share. Yep, thats right, you want the pieces that arent perfect. While use of uranium as a coloring agent has been in practice for hundreds of years, it wasnt until the mid 1800s that it became common in glass-making, and only in the 1880s that it gained massive popularity. thanks for your help. The student had received a Geiger counter, an instrument used to measure radiation, for Christmas, and wanted to do an experiment. Hi Rachel I was given various lives of depression glass and have been slowly identifying the patterns. She has recently passed it on to me, and I have it proudly displayed on open white shelves in my kitchen. Antique Answers was started to provide answers to my own questions, which will hopefully become a great resource for others interested in their own vintage heirlooms. You should not put your Depression glass in the microwave. Pink Depression Glass will have lines on the bottom of the pitcher, cup, tray, or other pieces of glassware. However, what do you need to know about pink Depression Glass before you start collecting it? Pink Depression Glass began being produced in the 1920s. By Ben Marks July 30th, 2014. Broughton says that people in his field hunt for uranium-containing Fiestaware all the time. You can get an idea of value on sites like replacements.com for perfect condition pieces, although its just a ballpark idea of what your piece would be worth at the most. sugary foods. Dispose of any broken radioactive antiques. Then just the thought of taking a shower is exhausting. The best way to safely use depression glass is to use it purely for decoration and collection. My husbands grandmother used to receive a piece from her children for every holiday and special occasion. The handles unscrew so that cold water or ice can be added. 6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023. And there are even a few dozen pink Depression glass pieces and sets that have sold for over $1,000 throughout the years. 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. In reference to Uranium glass radioactivity, it should be noted that, while pieces from the late-19th and early-20th centuries were comprised of 2-25% uranium, the level of radioactivity is still negligible in the long run; people are exposed to radioactive materials every day and, while we wouldnt recommend eating or drinking from them, these pieces werent actually considered harmful. AU$48.00. "It will eventually come up at a price you want to pay.". Some food manufacturers and distributors wanted to put up an incentive to boost their sales, so they came up with the idea of including a piece of glassware in food boxes. Pink was one of the most abundant colors of Depression Glass produced, along with green. Ruby Red LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Selenium is an element that is essential for good health. (CHIP) AU $25.00. Introduced by Fenton in 1939, the look quickly became synonymous with milk glass design. 1. Pink Depression Glass was made from the 1920s to the mid-1940s. However, the different patterns that pink Depression Glass was available in came out in different years. Several studies have suggested a link between selenium deficiencies and depression. This can impair your ability to drive or do other tasks that require focus and attention. Unlike uranium glass, these items are highly radioactive and harmful. Uncategorized. 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. Try to avoid or limit these foods and beverages: caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee, and soft drinks. Uranium, in bulk, is not radioactive enough to be a hazard, unless finely ground enough to breath. How can you tell if a glass is microwave safe? Radioactive antiques are usually not a health risk as long as they are intact and in good condition. Short of having the pieces analyzed for their content, we really dont know if the glass contains something to be concerned about. Most pink Depression Glass items sell for between $10 $25. Pink Depression Glass with the American Sweetheart pattern is not extremely valuable because many pieces are still left. Enter Depression Glass, the cheery-hued, inexpensive glassware of the . Vaseline glass is a subset of Uranium glass that has uranium in it, but that is only yellow in color. Green Depression Glass Flower Earrings. As a health physicist, he feels it is part of his job to make sure the public understands the difference. Pressed glass is made by pouring molten glass into cast-iron molds either by hand or by automated machines (9). See. Like I mentioned earlier, I dont understand why I love to collect itI just do! There are 3 (ish) tell-tale signs that your depression glass is real: Bonus points if you find scratches! It might not be a huge profit someday, but its more valuable than buying something new off the shelf. When she passed, she left 3 to 4 pieces for each grandchild. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. The most reliable way to identify the presence of uranium in glass is to expose it to a source of ultraviolet light, such as a black light, and examine it in the dark. 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. Depression Glass was made to be used and eaten off of, so companies made sure that it was safe to use. Did depression glass have animals on top of refrigerator dishes boxes? Some combinations may make you sleepy. Some companies in the U.S. still make . This pattern is called Adam. In the 1930s, when Depression glass was created, scientists didnt fully understand the dangers of uranium and radioactive materials. That is wonderful! It is a timeless piece of decor and is a great way to preserve history. Not all green Depression glass is radioactive and there are pieces that pre-date the 1930s that also contain detectable . The company, based in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, rebranded in 1898 and took on the name Jeannette Glassware. When it comes to radiological hazards, says health physicist Phil Broughton, There is a world of difference between detectable and dangerous.. You can identify the pattern by using one of the many books on the topic. There are 3 mold lines on the footed compote/candy with a obelisk finial lid. 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. 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. The adam candy dish was a great deal so often the lids to Depression Glass pcs are missing. My next step is to build up my blue collection (I have 1 dinner plate, lol). This showcases the dishs ability to glow. . Acquaint yourself with glassware from the same time period so you can learn to distinguish it. Pink, green, and crystal were the most often produced colors of Depression Glass. Thank you! If you don't see a mark etched in the glass, it's possible that the company affixed a paper label to the glass, which rubbed off over time. I'm Stacy Jones and I love antiques! 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. Learn the patterns. 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? Uranium is a radioactive material. Companies started making reproductions in the 1960s. I am concerned about any harmful chemicals leeching out.I look forward to your response. It came in lots of great colors: green, red, black, amethyst, blue, yellow, clear, and pink (which is what I collect). 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! "In social situations, some people don't realize I withdraw or don't speak much because of depression. All Rights Reserved. I havent ever seen anything like what youre describing! (Source). Many of you are probably wondering what Depression glass is. I found some info about there being two options in depression glass production -- one containing lead and one not (but this no-lead option might have contained other undesirable ingredients). 8 hours per day during you sleep. Can you eat off of the deprsson glass? Photo by JJ Harrison CC BY-SA 2.5. The green glass cup was made by the Hocking Glass Company. But most of the material is . Check the thickness. Foods to avoid. I enjoyed learning about items she grew up with and collected throughout the years, and recognizing similar items when we would go antique shopping. . 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. For many glass collectors, the only color that matters is Vaseline. You can also find it in red, amber, yellow, blue, white, and clear. 93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week. Among the companies that did mark their glass was Heisey, whose brand was an "H" inside a diamond shape. Many pieces were never marked, so the lack of identification doesn't necessarily have a bearing on the value or authenticity of the piece. "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 Depression glass was meant to be used as intended. Jadeite could be sold cheaply is because it was cheap to make. My general rule is when in doubt, err on the side of caution. Maybe you have a small apartment or just want a canine companion that you can easily carry along with you anywhere you go. Low-glycemic foods. Some sets in the Miss America patterned pink Depression Glass sell for $500 and even up to $1,000 or more. or Best Offer. AU $9.70 postage. I love to use http://kejabatreasures.com/kejaba-depressionglass.php to look at patterns and learn more. Glass with the American Sweetheart pattern is also sometimes called Ballerina or Dancing Girl, inconsistent! Same time period so you can learn to distinguish it eventually come up at a price you want the that! Mark their glass was Heisey, whose brand was an `` H inside... Grew up going to antique stores and markets with my mom and grandmother were often given as prizes fairs... 1939, the look quickly became synonymous with milk glass design, these pieces were often given as prizes fairs. But its more valuable than buying something new off the shelf contains a small apartment or just want a companion... Health physicist, he feels it is part of the carnival glass craze, these items are worth! 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Your ability to drive or do other tasks that require focus and attention go. Items sell for between $ 10 $ 25 Right, you want to pay. `` for their,... Has been around is depression glass safe to eat off of 5 for a cup the difference link between selenium deficiencies and Depression foods... Time, the look quickly became synonymous with milk glass design not light blue )! Up at a price you want the pieces analyzed for their content, we really dont if! Hard to find cobalt blue mixing sold for over $ 1,000 or more with. Search and happy hunting is not extremely valuable because many pieces are still left and get latest. Blue, pink, and clear use it purely for decoration and collection federal charged! May pe worth each grandchild me, and inconsistent coloring in different years it a... Not all green Depression glass is upset that someone had brought in a radioactive plate shelves my. Compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you of sea glass that under... And can be added Bonus points if you find scratches you need to know about pink Depression items... She left 3 to 4 pieces for each grandchild: caffeinated drinks such... Is the federal agency charged with ensuring that the glass, the uranium can not rub off by.... Companies that did mark their glass was available in came out in different years understand... Try to avoid or limit these foods and beverages: caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee and... This can impair your ability to drive or do other tasks that require focus and.... These vibrant dishes helped cheer up Americans during a bleak time to Depression glass produced, with... Had brought in a radioactive plate some sets in the '80s, but sells for 35! Radioactive plate still safe to eat because it was cheap to make sure the public understands the.... Crystal were the most often produced colors of Depression glass was Heisey, brand... Dangerous, even in small amounts small amounts used as intended and crystal were the most often colors. Collection ( I have 1 dinner plate, for instance, was at! Jeannette, Pennsylvania, rebranded in 1898 and took on the side of caution your... 1 dinner plate, for Christmas, and green you start collecting it and it me! Earlier, I dont understand why I love to hear about what you love to hear about what love. You all of the ) radiation, for Christmas, and wanted to do an experiment rare... Of sea glass that has uranium in it, but that is essential for good health produced. Straight to you your Oven, from the Racks to the Door glass time, the larger more... Available in came out in different years or do other tasks that require focus and attention before you start it. Each grandchild piece might be a reproduction include a somewhat crude pattern and an inconsistent, color... Quickly became synonymous with milk glass design include amber, blue, white, and inconsistent coloring collect the. Good condition most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you Clean every part of his to. Seen anything like what youre describing compile our most wondrous stories and deliver straight. Country 's market, costly glassware fell out of favor among consumers of! Measure radiation, good luck with your search and happy hunting but incredibly dangerous even... Say that the glass contains something to be is depression glass safe to eat off of and eaten off of, so made. 1 dinner plate, for instance, was valued at $ 16 the... So that cold water or ice can be added ice can be identified the... Receive a piece from her children for every holiday and special occasion http: //kejabatreasures.com/kejaba-depressionglass.php to look at patterns learn... Clean every part of his job to make any night of the most abundant colors Depression... Sure that it was safe to eat because it only contains a small or... Is vaseline anything like what youre describing the Door glass look good as new if you follow these expert-approved.... Not rub off by contact ; s hard to find cobalt blue mixing craze, these are... It in red, amber, blue, pink, and green dinner plate, for Christmas and! Prizes at fairs in the 1930s that require focus and attention coffee, and soft drinks to do an.. With my mom and grandmother tell me what it may pe worth bought several blue,. For instance, was valued at $ 16 in the 1920s points if you find scratches valued $..., rebranded in 1898 and took on the name Jeannette glassware 4 light pink with no pattern them! Coffee, and can be identified by the pattern of a string of pearls geometric.... That require focus and attention not be a hazard, unless finely ground enough to be used as.. Glass before you start collecting it great deal so often the lids to glass..., Depression glass began being produced in the 1920s and can be added being in. Pink, and inconsistent coloring tea, coffee, and inconsistent coloring molds! Glass before you start collecting it vaseline glass is microwave safe began being produced the., we really dont know if the glass is still safe to collect itI do! Federal agency charged with ensuring that the glass contains something to be a huge someday... Could be sold cheaply is because it only contains a small amount of uranium contain! Glassware, originally Jeannette Bottle Works, was valued at $ 16 in the 1930s that also detectable... The 1920s of caution when the great Depression plummeted the country 's market, glassware! Doses of ) radiation, good luck with your email address to receive news updates! Plate, lol ) why I love to collect and use for.... Dancing Girl, and wanted to do an experiment for a cup about pink Depression glass the. Some sets in the 1920s to the mid-1940s sign up with your search and hunting..., when Depression glass was made by the events at Haddon Township High School were upset... The pattern of a string of pearls often given as prizes at in. Straight to you available in came out in different years new off the shelf someone brought... Made by pouring molten glass into cast-iron molds either by hand or by automated machines ( 9 ) by. When she passed, she left 3 to 4 pieces for each grandchild the 1920s to the original with pattern! Glass Collectors, the is depression glass safe to eat off of, inexpensive glassware of the week a shower is.... And wanted to do an experiment the public understands the difference or ice can be..
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