How to identify uranium glass

An avid collector has just stumbled upon a vintage glass piece at a flea market. It’s an eye-catching item, but there’s uncertainty about whether it’s merely an old glass ornament or something more unique, such as uranium glass. Eager to add a rare find to their collection, they start digging into what distinguishes uranium glass from regular glass, wanting to make sure they’re not missing out on a potentially valuable treasure.

To identify uranium glass, look for a green or yellow-green hue in the glass, which is a common characteristic. Use a UV light; uranium glass will fluoresce bright green under UV light due to the uranium content. Additionally, check for a faint radioactivity with a Geiger counter if available, as true uranium glass will emit low levels of radiation. Finally, research the manufacturer’s mark or patterns–many uranium glass pieces were produced by well-known glass makers during certain periods.

Uranium glass, often marketed as Vaseline glass or depression glass, contains a small percentage of uranium dioxide, giving it unique visual and physical properties. The first step in identifying uranium glass is to observe its color. Most uranium glass pieces exhibit a distinct yellow-green or green tint, a result of the uranium content. Next, employing a UV light is one of the most effective identification methods; when exposed to UV light, uranium glass will glow a brilliant green, signifying its radioactive nature. If you have a Geiger counter, measuring the background radiation can further affirm that it is indeed uranium glass, as genuine pieces will emit measurable radiation levels–though low and safe.

Lastly, researching the piece’s maker or style can provide additional clues. Many manufacturers who produced uranium glass integrated specific styles or patterns into their designs, which can help date the piece and confirm its authenticity. By using these methods in combination, you can confidently determine whether that intriguing glass piece is uranium glass or simply an overlooked antique.