Bubbles, flaws in moulding, and inconsistent colour are simply signs of authentic Depression glass. You'll also find small lines at the base of any piece. These are called straw marks, which were created by cast-iron moulds used to make the glass.
Depression glass is the term for the colored or transparent glassware that was mass-produced in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. Pink and green are the best-known colors, but you can also find it in red, amber, yellow, blue, white, and clear.
What color of Depression Glass is rare? Pink and crystal (clear) are two of the rarest colors of Depression glass.
Edit: after a quick search on depression glass I found this-'' Most depression glass is not safe to eat or drink off. The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends against using these types of dishes for their original purposes due to the amount of uranium found in them.
In a nutshell, Depression glass is machine produced glass made in America from the mid 1920's through the 1930's. It was inexpensive, and came in a variety of colors: pink, red, green, amber, yellow, blue, cobalt, white and crystal. This glass was given out at the movies, in flour bags or soapboxes.
While they are both colored glass, carnival is differentiated by its signature iridized glaze and multicolored appearance, while Depression glass has a more transparent and monochromatic look.
Pink and red (cranberry) glass is typically the most valuable and was made using gold oxide, while blue (made using cobalt salts), green (uranium), and yellow or amber (sulphur) tend to command lower prices.
From circa 1943 until 1958, because of the events of World War II and the Cold War, U.S. officials did not allow the production of uranium glass since the government had banned uranium salts from commercial use. Only after uranium oxide was deregulated did the U.S. government allow uranium glass to be manufactured.
Another way to tell if your drinkware is lead-free is to hold it up to the light. Standard glassware is better at refracting light, meaning you should be able to see a prism of light breaking into a rainbow. If you struggle to make a rainbow no matter how you hold the glass, it could contain lead.
Leave the object in vinegar and water overnight to loosen calcium deposits, rinse with water and dry with a microfiber towel.
Depression glass: Transparent yellow or transparent yellow-green glass, glows green if uranium oxide was included. Contains other colorants to “up” the green color, like iron oxide. Less popular with collectors because it is “tainted”.
Markings on glassware can help affect their value! Typically, glassware with pontil marks is considered more valuable because they are older and handmade. Scarcity is another factor that will affect the value of your antique glass. Bottles that are rare are going to yield a higher profit due to their low availability.
As mentioned, imperfections in the glassware due to daily use during the era that the glassware was originally produced do not necessarily affect value, or if they do, it is very small.
Regular glass tends to have a smoother, flawless surface. Tempered glass is also slightly thicker, often 1/4 inch or more. Regular glass panes are typically 1/8 inch or less for most applications. When tempered glass breaks, it shatters into small, granular pieces.
Colored glassware of the Depression era was produced during the late 1920s and into the 1930s; some authors and researchers extend the timeframe even longer, at least into the 1940s. It was made by many glass companies over an extended period of time and included a never-ending array of shapes, sizes and colors.
Perhaps the most reliable way to identify the presence of uranium in the glass is to expose it in the dark to a source of ultraviolet light (e.g., a black light). If the glass glows a rich green color, it contains uranium.
The best practice when approaching vintage glassware is to steer clear from using it on a daily basis, and don't store things in it for a long period of time, Dr. Kosnett recommends.
Crystal will have a definite, clear ring when tapped or struck, much like a bell. The longer and clearer the ring has the higher quality the crystal. Crystal is a type of glass that contains strengthening minerals like lead-oxide, potassium carbonate, and silica to make the material durable.
Lead-based paint was banned in 1978, so all glassware produced in the U.S. and Europe since then should be safe to drink from—but if you regularly shop at Amazon, Costco, Ikea, or other big box stores, you should check the location of where your products are made, as many products made by larger manufacturers are made ...
Uranium glass is considered to be radioactive, but the level of radioactivity is very low. This generally means that there are no negative health impacts when you handle the glass correctly.
A: Vaseline glass is a specific type of uranium glass. It got its name from its distinctive yellowish color, which looks like petroleum jelly. It is also sometimes referred to as canary glass because of its yellow color.
However, since uranium is radioactive, you can also be exposed to its radiation if you are near it. Even if you are exposed to uranium, you might not be harmed. Whether you are harmed will depend on such factors as the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you happen to contact it.
One of the most collectible rare Depression glass patterns is Royal Lace by the Hazel Atlas Glass Company. This pattern was only made for a few years — from 1934 to 1941. That's part of its rarity, but it doesn't account for all of it. This pattern was made in three main colors: pink, green, and cobalt blue.
Uranium/Vaseline Glass - is the term used to describe any glass that glows green under UV light. First identified in 1789 by a German chemist it was discovered that if Uranium, usually in Oxide Diuranate form was added to a glass mix before melting this would result in a beautiful green colour.
Aquamarine is a more expensive crystal, with prices set at upwards of a thousand dollars per carat. Aquamarine is a favorite for its appearance, as well as its healing properties, both spiritual and physical.