Uranium Glass Sherbet Cups Value Guide

These Depression-era sherbet cups are highly collectible due to their unique composition containing uranium oxide, which allows them to fluoresce brilliantly under ultraviolet light. Produced in the United States between 1920 and 1940, this set of five represents a classic example of mass-produced functional art from a period when colorful glassware was a staple of American households.

What Is Uranium Glass Sherbet Cups Worth?

The typical price range for Uranium Glass Sherbet Cups is $40 - $50 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of the complete set of five matching cups significantly stabilizes the $40-$50 valuation.
• The clarity and detail of the rim etching, as wear or fading can reduce collector interest.
• Physical condition, specifically the absence of 'flea bites' or chips along the delicate footed base and rim.
• The intensity of the fluorescence, which is determined by the concentration of uranium oxide used during the 1930s production.

How to Identify Uranium Glass Sherbet Cups?

• Verify the signature bright neon green glow using a 365nm or 395nm UV blacklight.
• Look for the specific pale green translucent tint characteristic of early 20th-century American glass recipes.
• Examine the rim for delicate, period-accurate etched patterns typical of the 1920-1940 aesthetic.
• Check for the footed base design which distinguishes these as sherbet or dessert cups rather than standard tumblers.

History of Uranium Glass Sherbet Cups

Uranium glass, known for its distinctive yellow-green hue derived from trace amounts of uranium oxide, gained immense popularity from the late 19th century into the Depression Era. This glass type is famous for glowing brightly under ultraviolet light. During the Depression, glass manufacturers mass-produced inexpensive, colorful glassware, often combining the uranium recipe with popular patterns to create highly collectible items that served as everyday tableware. Production saw a significant pause during World War II when the US government restricted uranium use.