Uranium is primarily found in yellow and green depression glass. The most common colors contain natural uranium to achieve their distinctive yellow-green tint, though other colors like amber, teal, and opaque custard yellow also exist.
Identifying uranium glass involves using a handheld black light (UV) to spot a vibrant, bright green glow, which is the most reliable method. It is usually yellowish-green (Vaseline glass) or green, but can be opaque like custard glass. While common in 1920s-30s depression-era items, not all green glass glows.
The rarest and most valuable colors of Depression glass are ruby red and black. Because the original manufacturers produced most Depression glass as cheap, cheerful tableware in high volumes, uncommon hues like opaque black or deep ruby red—often made in very short runs or as specialty pieces—command the highest prices today.
Uranium depression glass typically ranges from $𝟏𝟎 to $𝟏𝟎𝟎 per piece, though highly intricate or rare collector items can exceed $𝟑𝟎𝟎. Values depend heavily on the manufacturer, pattern scarcity, and condition, with basic table settings being the most affordable and specialized figurines or vases commanding higher premiums.
Most pink depression glass does not contain uranium. Uranium was primarily added as a colorant to create yellow or green glass. However, exceptions exist—such as rare "Burmese" glass or specific two-toned pieces—where small amounts of uranium were used.
If the glass glows a rich green color, it contains uranium. This green fluorescence explains why an example of Vaseline glass that looks yellow under incandescent lighting might take on a greenish tinge when viewed outdoors.
Authentic pink depression glass (produced in the 1920s and 1930s) can be distinguished from modern reproductions and fakes by checking for key manufacturing flaws, a lighter weight, and specific, period-accurate coloration.
The most sought-after uranium glass pieces combine historical rarity with striking UV-reactive designs. Top collector grails include pre-1900 Victorian custard/vaseline glass, limited-production depression glass (like the Jeannette Glass Cherry Blossom pitcher), and mid-century art glass from makers like Fenton and Viking.
Uranium is currently trading at approximately $84.50 to $85.00 per pound (measured as U3O8cap U sub 3 cap O sub 8𝑈3𝑂8 or yellowcake).
The most valuable vintage and antique glassware ranges from 19th-century French crystal sets and museum-quality Art Nouveau vases to highly specialized, mid-century American studio pieces.
For starters, understanding how common a piece is will help you gauge how much you should be willing to shell out. Rare color-pattern combinations or limited-run pieces, for example, are worth more than their more manifold counterparts.
Royal Lace by Hazel-Atlas
Royal Lace is the status symbol of Depression glass. It has bold geometry and deep mold detail that collectors instantly recognize. Cobalt blue is the clear winner. Green and pink exist but cobalt drives the highest prices and most competition.
Yes, there is a steady market for depression glass, driven by vintage aesthetics, nostalgia, and a growing appreciation for colorful home decor. The market is valued in the tens of millions, though individual piece values vary wildly depending on the color, rarity, and pattern.
For these people, the maximum estimated dose is 1 to 2% of the average American's annual radiation exposure. This tells us the level of radioactivity in uranium glass is generally considered very low and not harmful under normal handling and use.
The companies who made Depression Glass included Anchor-Hocking, Jeanette, Federal, and Hazel Atlas, and the most common colours were amber, blue, black, crystal, green, pink, red, yellow and white.
The best light for hunting uranium glass is a 395 nm or 365 nm UV (ultraviolet) LED flashlight. A 395 nm light is generally best for beginners because it focuses specifically on the vibrant green uranium glow, whereas a 365 nm light causes many other glass types to glow (like cadmium, lead, or manganese).
Uranium is priced and traded by the pound rather than the ounce. As of May 2026, the spot price of uranium is hovering around $84.50 to $85.00 per pound.
Because uranium decays by alpha particles, external exposure to uranium is not as dangerous as exposure to other radioactive elements because the skin will block the alpha particles. Ingestion of high concentrations of uranium, however, can cause severe health effects, such as cancer of the bone or liver.
🤔 enCore Energy produces and sells 55-gallon drums of yellowcake (uranium), which can weigh anywhere from 800 to 950 pounds!
In fact, a report published by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2001 stated that uranium glass is considered to be safer than household electronics. Despite this, it is recommended that you avoid eating or drinking out of uranium glass objects, as you can end up ingesting small fragments of radioactive material.
Uranium glass is moderately common. Millions of antique pieces—ranging from plates and bowls to figurines and beads—were produced between the 1830s and 1940s. While highly prized by collectors, many pieces still surface in thrift stores and estate sales, often mistaken for normal glassware by sellers.
Mass-produced uranium glass effectively stopped in 1942 when the US government seized uranium supplies for the Manhattan Project. While some companies resumed small-batch or decorative production starting in the late 1950s—with factories like Fenton making it up until their closure—commercial mass production never returned.
Pink depression glass generally ranges from $𝟓 to $𝟑𝟎 for standard, common pieces (like plates and saucers). However, rarer patterns or specialized serving pieces like cookie jars and pitchers can fetch anywhere from $𝟏𝟎𝟎 to $𝟑𝟎𝟎+.
During the thirty years of production, over 100 patterns of Depression glass were manufactured. Each company had signature patterns, each of which is worth different amounts in the market today. Some of the most common patterns were Cameo, Mayfair, American Sweetheart, Princess, and Royal Lace.
There are real and fake pieces, as I just mentioned. Make sure you know what you're looking for! This makes the treasure hunt all the more fun! There are lots of great resources online, like the National Depression Glass Association website, and you'll find many Depression glass books on Amazon.