There was a ban on the production of Vaseline glass from 1943 to 1958, and after the ban was lifted, uranium prices were higher due to its use as a power source. This made the production of new Vaseline glass more expensive.
“Vaseline Glass is a particular color of yellow-green glass that is made by adding as little as 0.1% to 0. 2% Uranium Dioxide to the ingredients when the glass formula is made. The addition of the Uranium Dioxide makes the glass color yellow-green.
As of 2014, a few manufacturers continue the vaseline glass tradition: Fenton Glass, Mosser Glass, Gibson Glass and Jack Loranger. U.S. production of uranium glasses ceased in the middle years of World War II because of the government's confiscation of uranium supplies for the Manhattan Project from 1942 to 1958.
Neither you nor your customers are at risk from the radiation given off by uranium in Vaseline glass, whether they're holding the piece or it's just sitting on a shelf or table. Neither you nor your customers are at risk from uranium if you accidentally ingest or inhale dust or small chips that happen to break off.
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.
For hundreds of years, glassmakers used small amounts of uranium to create yellow or green glass. The yellow tint of this glass led to the nicknames “Vaseline glass” and “canary glass.” Under an ultraviolet (UV) or “black” light, the uranium causes the glass to glow bright green.
Buckley et al (1980) estimated that there were at least 4,160,000 pieces of decorative uranium glass produced in the US between 1958 and 1978 and 15,000 drinking glasses from 1968 to 1972. The uranium content of Vaseline glass is often on the order of 2% by weight.
Uranium glass is considered safe to wear and handle, according to the U.S. nuclear Regulatory Commission. In fact, it is considered to be safer than household electronics.
Most Depression glass was made with uranium, but it also contained iron oxide, which makes the glass much greener than Vaseline glass. Depression glass is often less valuable than Vaseline glass, so collectors have to be careful to not confuse the two.
Uranium glass contains from about 0.25% to 2% uranium. A popular brand of uranium glass is Vaseline glass. So named because in ordinary light it has approximately the color of Vaseline. Under black light it fluoresces bright green.
During a bout of pleurisy (a condition often caused by the flu virus, in which the tissue 'twixt lung and chest wall becomes inflamed, causing difficulty breathing), Chesebrough had his nurse cover and rub him, head to foot, in Vaseline. He soon recovered.
Vintage uranium and vaseline glass playing marbles, that fluoresce under black light are indeed collectible, however they are not necessarily of high value, which is $3 - $6 each on average.
Uranium glass is as a blanket term used for any glass containing uranium. It is characterized by the presence of uranium (oxide) and, in some cases, iron oxide. Unlike the commonly known (green) uranium glass, vaseline glass is a type of uranium glass — referring specifically to the bright lime-yellow (canary) color.
Only by testing with the black light will a piece be verifiable. Vaseline Glass can be yellow, yellow-green, or green. Individual collectors each have their own preference as to the exact color of Vaseline glass collected.
Uranium glass is still available to buy today, with some manufacturers continuing to make it and plenty of uranium glass antiques on the market. In fact, people often find uranium glass for sale as normal glassware, as sellers are not aware of what they have.
Uranium glass, or Vaseline glass, is a prized collector's item and is generally safe to handle.
To identify uranium glass without using a blacklight, the best method is to observe the glass for a distinctive green or yellow-green color in natural light. Uranium glass, often referred to as Vaseline glass, contains uranium oxide, which can impart a unique color to the glass.
If the glass is broken or chipped, that's cause for concern, as ingesting or inhaling uranium glass would be dangerous. For that reason, it's safest not to eat off or drink out of uranium glass.
Uranium glass was produced regularly until just before WWII, when the US government halted production as uranium became highly regulated. This moratorium lasted until 1958, when uranium oxide was deregulated, and uranium glass has continued to be produced ever since (Collector's Weekly n.d.).
Under the glow of ultraviolet light, uranium glass reveals its captivating secret: an ethereal fluorescence that has enchanted collectors and artisans for nearly two centuries. This distinctive glass, known for its vibrant yellow-green hues, embodies a rich history at the intersection of art, science, and culture.
To differentiate between manganese and uranium glass, it's essential to use the right UV light source. A 365nm UV light will reveal the subtle glow of manganese glass, while a 395nm UV light will showcase the vibrant fluorescence of uranium glass.
Burmese glass has a soft yellow lower section, which blends into a salmon pink. The effect was created by Frederick Shirley, at the famous American glass company Mount Washington. Using their opal glass mixture, they added oxide of uranium, and reduced gold.