Depression Glass Cruet Value Guide

This 1930s Depression Glass Cruet is a quintessential piece of American history, mass-produced during the Great Depression as an affordable luxury for the home. Its vibrant green hue is derived from uranium oxide, making it a highly sought-after 'uranium glass' collectible that glows brilliantly under ultraviolet light.

What Is Depression Glass Cruet Worth?

The typical price range for Depression Glass Cruet is $75 - $85 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence and condition of the matching original stopper significantly impact the $75-$85 price range.
• Clarity of the green glass and the intensity of the glow under UV light can increase collector demand.
• Physical condition is vital; any chips, cracks, or 'sickness' (cloudiness) in the glass will lower the market value.
• The distinctiveness of the ribbed pattern compared to more common smooth-sided Depression glass variants.

How to Identify Depression Glass Cruet?

• Verify the presence of uranium oxide by using a UV/blacklight to see if the glass emits a bright neon green glow.
• Check for the characteristic ribbed pattern molded into the body of the green glass.
• Ensure the stopper is original to the piece, matching both the color and the specific ribbed design of the cruet base.
• Look for signs of 1930s manufacturing, such as small air bubbles or slight mold lines common in mass-produced Depression-era glassware.

History of Depression Glass Cruet

Depression glass was mass-produced in the United States during the Great Depression, primarily from the 1920s to the 1940s. It was often given away as premiums or prizes with other purchases, making it widely accessible. Its affordability and variety of colors and patterns made it a popular item in homes during a challenging economic time, offering a touch of cheer and elegance when budgets were tight. This particular piece is often referred to as uranium glass due to the presence of uranium oxide, which gives it its characteristic greenish-yellow hue and makes it glow under UV light.