1. Uranium glass fell out of production in the United States during World War II when all uranium use was restricted to nuclear-weapons development. Answer: You can identify your Depression Glass by checking out marks on the bottom, but you also need to know the pattern. There are 3(ish) tell-tale signs that your depression glass is real: Bonus points if you find scratches! But most of the material is . Kick off your St. Patrick's Day celebrations with our shamrock garlands, rainbow balloons, leprechaun traps, and more decoration ideas. Uranium that is inside of Depression Glass is embedded into the interior of the glass, not the exterior. All that you need to know before you start collecting pink Depression Glass is included below. Dan and Lisa Sawyers interest in radium glass began when they were scouring the shores of Lake Superior for fluorescent sodalites, unremarkable-looking gray rocks that contain minerals that glow under UV light. Reproduction glass is very thick compared to the original. As far as value is concerned, Id suggest having it appraised to be sure. When she passed, she left 3 to 4 pieces for each grandchild. However, the composition and ingredients of this glass can lead to safety and health hazards. 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). With some very rare exceptions, the paint on the outside of both vintage Pyrex and vintage Corningware bowls and baking dishes will usually test positive for lead between 15,000 - 100,000 PPM lead. However, Depression Glass is still safe to collect and use for decoration. They used to cool them on straw, which would often leave marks in the bottom of the glass. The value of Depression glass has been rising steadily in recent years. The real-life British buildings behind J.G. Have you come across white depression glass rolling pins with metal handles? As a health physicist, he feels it is part of his job to make sure the public understands the difference. There are real and fake pieces, as I just mentioned. In addition, consider adding foods high in zinc to your diet. The line on the side of the glass is the seam. Ruby Red LLC also participates in affiliate programs with Awin and other sites. Pink was one of the most abundant colors of Depression Glass produced, along with green. However, Depression Glass is still safe to collect and use for decoration. Disclaimer: The information available on NonTox U is for general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The name. But thousands of similarly radioactive plates and cups can be found in antique stores, thrift shops, and possibly your own kitchen cabinets. Restricting uranium use in the United States was a precaution taken by professionals to improve peoples health. Opinions vary on how effective antidepressants are in relieving the symptoms of depression. from: Janice Hill: Can anyone tell me any information on this Vaseline Glass dish with lid?, from: Paulette Buongirno: My husband fell in love with Vaseline glass when he saw a display at a local restaurant. This makes the treasure hunt all the more fun! Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Most depression glass is not safe to eat or drink off. . Advertising Disclosure: Rachel Rossi may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services or for your clicking on links posted on this website. A good place to look is replacements.com, that should give you a basic idea of what you might get. If you want to serve with yours, then go for it! The new versions of the old patterns are fairly convincing, but there are some great resources, like realorrepro.com, that cover each and every difference. Do you know it? set I have had fun collecting it and feel excited when I come across a piece. The bottoms are inset(?) It came in lots of great colors: green, red, black, amethyst, blue, yellow, clear, and pink (which is what I collect). Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. In the 1920s, glass manufacturers began acquiring and using machinery that was able to mass-produce molded glassware very inexpensively. Hi Rachel I was given various lives of depression glass and have been slowly identifying the patterns. Thanks for your question, Christine. You don't have to give your house a top-to-bottom scrub before guests arrive, but there are a few areas you should pay attention to. With a GM tube sometimes I can and sometimes I can not detect anything. I have a set of pink depression glass. Except 4 light pink with no pattern on them. Manufacturers didnt want to waste materials, so all glassware was thin. Most pieces give off less radiation than a banana! Ive been collecting pink depression glass for forty plus years! These vibrant dishes helped cheer up Americans during a bleak time. Ruby Red LLC is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Thrifts stores are great places to find depression glass because many people donate their grandparents dishware without realizing the value of it. Shes been collecting for lots of years, and now its my turn to continue that collection. 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. It was originally made with green scrap glass added into milk glass mixtures (8). But what concerns me more is whether there is lead in it. Condition Small dogs are also great for families with young children or those of senior age who are best matched with a breed they can physically handle. Yep, thats right, you want the pieces that arent perfect. 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. In the 1950s and 1960s, milk glass vessels were florists' go-to. This practice continued until World War I when stringent laws were made, making uranium a heavily regulated substance. 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. If you haven't researched uranium glass yet, this is a nice introduction. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Prior to World War II, and well before its potential for energy or weaponry was recognized, uranium was commonly used as a coloring agent in everything from plates, glasses, and punch bowls to vases, candlesticks, and beads. Would you eat from something that glows under black light and is RADIOACTIVE??? Hello Rachel, I would like to buy a pink depression glass refrigerator dish box that is ribbed and has a rabbit on top. (Source). Sign up for our email, delivered twice a week. The symbol on Federal's glass was an "F" inside a shield. Below, weve got a few pointers to keep in mind when you come across pieces youre not sure about. I am concerned about any harmful chemicals leeching out.I look forward to your response. There are some very gorgeous pieces of depression glass out there. The highest concentration of lead is usually in the paint on the outside of the Pyrex bowl or dish. They thought school administrators had overreacted. All rights reserved. A prominent sub-category of Depression Glass, Elegant glass, is of considerably better quality, often including polished mold seams, and hand-decoration such as cut patterns, etched patterns, and painted patterns.It was distributed through jewelry and department stores from the 1920s and continuing after the Great Depression through the 1950s, and was an alternative to fine china. That is wonderful! All Rights Reserved. The uranium will make the glass glow a rich green color. Create your St. Patrick's Day menu from our selection of appetizers and main courses (we included a few drinks, too!). Do not wash the vintage glass in the dishwasher. Share. whose brand was an "H" inside a diamond shape, Federal's glass was an "F" inside a shield, research the subject and talk to other collectors. It has a lot of appeal as a collectible item because of its role in the typical World War II household. Hello Rachael . You don't need to eat everything lukewarm, just don't put super hot food on cold dishes. Selenium. Colorful old Depression glassware in an antique shop. Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home! With time, some glass can show signs of deterioration such as cracking or pitting of the glaze. It sounds like you made a great find! Most pink Depression Glass items sell for between $10 $25. (Source), Uranium that is inside of Depression Glass is embedded into the interior of the glass, not the exterior. Instead, they think I'm being rude or purposefully antisocial.". That sounds beautiful though. Introduced by Fenton in 1939, the look quickly became synonymous with milk glass design. 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. Selenium is an element that is essential for good health. Some combinations may make you sleepy. As others have said, it's safe to use. That sounds like a beautiful collection! The bowls and serving bowls were wrapped in paper and carefully packed. As part of the carnival glass craze, these pieces were often given as prizes at fairs in the 1930s. You must check the reCAPTCHA button before hitting the Sign Up button. Uranium glass items are readily available online, but they say it is more fun to find them in the wild. Theyve bought intricately carved serving dishes, kitschy souvenir cups, glowing marbles, and, one of their personal favorites, a bird-shaped salt dip. My Mom inherited her Grandmother and Mothers Depression Glass, and then went on to hunt down more pieces. I have recently received several light blue plates and a bowl with all of the classic examples of depression glass except the stray marks underneath . Get out there! "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. It is perfectly safe to eat off of pink Depression Glass, even if it has a small amount of uranium in it, which is unlikely. I love the pattern because it looks like a quilt pattern called Tumbling Blocks.. I'm Stacy Jones and I love antiques! 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. Pink Depression Glass is still safe to use nowadays. 5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers. Signs that a piece might be a reproduction include a somewhat crude pattern and an inconsistent, muddy color. It is a timeless piece of decor and is a great way to preserve history. I'm Stacy Jones and I love antiques! Hocking Glass Company - ca. The green glass cup was made by the Hocking Glass Company. (I also bought several blue pieces, not cobalt but not light blue.) 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, Because of the small amount of the chemical inside the glass and where it is located, you won't get uranium poisoning if you eat off of Depression Glass with uranium in it. I feel like a pro every time. We are down sizing and want to get rid of it. You should not put these dishes in the oven or on the stovetop either. How can you tell if a glass is microwave safe? Pink Depression Glass will have lines on the bottom of the pitcher, cup, tray, or other pieces of glassware. 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. Near the end of World War II, Uranium glass fell out of production in the U.S. when uranium was restricted to nuclear-weapons development. 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. In its natural state, uranium dioxide is a vivid yellow. A cake plate could sell for as little as $13, a sugar bowl for $7, and an attractive footed tumbler for $25. Pink Depression Glass that is authentic often has floral or geometric patterns. 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. 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)! Did depression glass have animals on top of refrigerator dishes boxes? There isnt an official way to answer this question without having the pieces tested. "I struggle to get out of bed, sometimes for hours. Like I mentioned earlier, I dont understand why I love to collect itI just do! Indiana Glass Company made the first four Depression glass patterns and introduced new patterns of glassware for ten years from 1923 to 1933. 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. 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