Vaseline Uranium Glass Ashtray Value Guide

Produced primarily between 1930 and 1950 in the United States, these translucent greenish ashtrays are highly sought after for their unique chemical composition containing uranium oxide. They represent a fascinating era of mid-century glassmaking where functional household items were infused with radioactive colorants to achieve a signature aesthetic.

What Is Vaseline Uranium Glass Ashtray Worth?

The typical price range for Vaseline Uranium Glass Ashtray is $25 - $40 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition is paramount, as chips or surface scratches from cigarette use can significantly lower the $25-$40 price range.
• The intensity of the fluorescence under UV light can drive higher interest from specialized 'glow' glass collectors.
• Intricacy of the mold design and the presence of specific manufacturer patterns from the 1930-1950 period.
• Clarity of the glass, with fewer bubbles or inclusions typically commanding the higher end of the market value.

How to Identify Vaseline Uranium Glass Ashtray?

• Verify a vibrant neon green glow when the glass is placed under a long-wave ultraviolet (UV) light source.
• Look for the characteristic oily, yellow-green translucent appearance that resembles petroleum jelly, giving it the 'Vaseline' moniker.
• Check for typical mid-century American manufacturing marks or mold lines consistent with mass-produced Depression-era glassware.
• Confirm the material is glass rather than acrylic, as authentic uranium glass will feel cold to the touch and have a distinct ring when tapped.

History of Vaseline Uranium Glass Ashtray

Uranium glass was produced from the 19th century through the mid-20th century; small amounts of uranium oxide were added to give a distinctive yellow-green glow under ultraviolet light. By the 1920s–1950s the material was popular for household items such as bowls, dishes and ashtrays. Collectors today prize these pieces for their color and fluorescence; many were mass-produced by glassmakers in the United States and Europe during the Depression and mid-century periods.