Uranium Glass Tumbler Value Guide

This 1930s American-made uranium glass tumbler is a quintessential example of Depression-era glassware, prized for its delicate etched floral patterns. Its collectibility stems from its unique chemical composition, which allows the piece to emit a vibrant green glow under ultraviolet light.

What Is Uranium Glass Tumbler Worth?

The typical price range for Uranium Glass Tumbler is $30 - $35 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the etched floral pattern, as fading or wear can reduce the $30-$35 valuation.
• Clarity of the glass and the intensity of the glow under UV light.
• Absence of chips, cracks, or 'flea bites' along the rim and base.
• Historical provenance as a pre-WWII piece produced before uranium restrictions.

How to Identify Uranium Glass Tumbler?

• Verify a bright neon green fluorescence when exposed to a long-wave UV blacklight.
• Check for the specific 1930s-style etched floral motif characteristic of American glass manufacturers.
• Inspect the glass for a slight oily or 'Vaseline' yellow-green tint in natural daylight.
• Confirm the tumbler shape and weight consistent with early 20th-century drinking vessels.

History of Uranium Glass Tumbler

Uranium glass, often called Vaseline glass due to its pale yellow appearance, gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its distinctive glow under ultraviolet light, caused by the uranium content, made it a novelty. Despite the radioactivity, the levels in most uranium glass items are considered safe for daily use. Production declined significantly after World War II due to restrictions on uranium use, making surviving pieces collectible.