Uranium Glass Jar Value Guide

This antique Uranium Glass Jar, produced in the United States between 1900 and 1940, is a prized example of Depression-era glassware. Its distinct coloration and historical significance as a piece containing uranium dioxide make it a centerpiece for collectors of luminous glass.

What Is Uranium Glass Jar Worth?

The typical price range for Uranium Glass Jar is $70 - $100 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The intensity and consistency of the glow under UV light significantly impact the $70-$100 price range.
• Physical condition, specifically the absence of chips, cracks, or 'flea bites' on the rim and base.
• The presence of original matching lids or unique embossed patterns from the 1880s-1920s peak popularity period.
• Clarity of the glass, as cloudiness or 'glass sickness' can reduce the overall market value.

How to Identify Uranium Glass Jar?

• Verify a bright neon green glow when placed under a long-wave ultraviolet (blacklight) source.
• Check for the characteristic transparent green or yellow-green 'Vaseline' tint in natural daylight.
• Look for manufacturing marks or mold lines consistent with early 20th-century American glass production.
• Examine the glass for small air bubbles or slight imperfections typical of 1900-1940 era glass mixtures.

History of Uranium Glass Jar

Uranium glass, also known as Vaseline glass, was popular from the 1880s to the 1920s. Its unique green or yellow hue comes from the addition of uranium dioxide to the glass mixture. Though the radioactivity is minimal, its vibrant color and characteristic glow under blacklight have made it a sought-after collectible.