This site is owned and operated by Ruby Red LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Tennessee, USA. . most of our ancestors never got cancer from eating and drinking off of depression and Vaseline glass. Get out there! I love adding new pieces or replacing chipped ones with ones that look new. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Return & Refund Policy - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy. When being displayed on a shelf, this glass is completely safe. or Best Offer. Very doubtful.. Pink Depression Glass comes in a variety of pink shades from extremely light pink to an almost purple-pink color. Thanks so much Lou, its such a fun treasure hunt! Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. The rarity of a Uranium glass piece features a great impact on the piece's overall value. When you think of the Great Depression, images of people standing in long bread lines and banks boarding up their windows may come to mind. They have been sitting there a long time. Yes, our ancestors were eating and drinking from radioactive tableware. Radioactive antiques are usually not a health risk as long as they are intact and in good condition. "It will eventually come up at a price you want to pay.". How to tell the difference between depression glass and uranium glass. Sugar bowl creamer veg plate and meat plater. I have a set that was gifted to me years ago; it was a collection that was built up over time, just as a collection, not for actual use. Depression glass was used for everyday tasks and was prone to scratching, so scratches are likely due to the delicate nature of real Depression glass. Green Depression Glass: Chromium and/or Uranium, Amber Depression Glass: Carbon, Sulfur, Iron. There are 3 mold lines on the footed compote/candy with a obelisk finial lid. Carnival glass gets its color from an application of metallic salts to it after it is removed from the mold. The Royal Lace pattern was manufactured by the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company. Proceeds from this colorful teahouse in a historic Atlanta neighborhood directly fund womens education in northeast India. On the positive side, these imperfections rarely affect their value and, as some collectors would say, even add to their charm. By that, he means that having a Fiestaware plate, a reliable source of radiation, is handy for making sure your radiation-detection meter is working. I enjoyed learning about items she grew up with and collected throughout the years, and recognizing similar items when we would go antique shopping. This colorful and eclectic glass is very pretty to look at but there is some skepticism about whether it is safe to use. I am now wondering whether it is okay to eat off of, so I just did an internet search and feel unclear about the answer. Hi Rachel: I collect Fostoria American depression glass. Most depression glass is not safe to eat or drink off. Some things are definitely labeled "not safe for food use," so . Depression glass is a type of dinnerware that was mass produced in the 1920s and 1930s. "There are just too many glasses out there for one collector to get them all," says Michael Kelly, co-author of Collectible Drinking Glasses: Identification and Values. Most antique white glass rolling pins have wood handles. However, what do you need to know about pink Depression Glass before you start collecting it? Uranium glass is characterized by the presence of uranium (oxide) and, in some cases, iron oxide, which is what makes it green. It wont do well with sudden temperature changes. It makes visual sense, then, that it would be considered an attractive additive for glassmakers since the early 1800s. To this day, pink is still one of the most popular colors of Depression Glass. Do not wash the vintage glass in the dishwasher. I'm wondering if you've ever looked into whether "Depression glass" is toxic to eat off of. As far as value is concerned, Id suggest having it appraised to be sure. "And there are lots of typical Depression-era . . This makes the treasure hunt all the more fun! There are some very gorgeous pieces of depression glass out there. It is a timeless piece of decor and is a great way to preserve history. Alternatively, you can find lots of pieces in the same pattern. Depression glass cannot be eaten or drank off. Answers have been edited and updated as of December, 2020. Jadeite could be sold cheaply is because it was cheap to make. My general rule is when in doubt, err on the side of caution. For some depression-era glassware collectors, the only color that matters is glow-in-the-dark. Answer: You can identify your Depression Glass by checking out marks on the bottom, but you also need to know the pattern. Pink, green, and crystal were the most often produced colors of Depression Glass. Many websites say that the glass is safe to eat because it only contains a small amount of Uranium. An appraisal would give you an actual value on the set. Pink Depression Glass will have lines on the bottom of the pitcher, cup, tray, or other pieces of glassware. Many of you are probably wondering what Depression glass is. Age and body size can make a difference in how toxic it is to an individual person as well as the condition of their detox system and the health of their body as a whole. This site is owned and operated by Ruby Red LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Tennessee, USA. A 10-inch dinner plate, for instance, was valued at $16 in the '80s, but sells for $35 today. If it were one cheap saucer or something I'd just throw it out (I've generally done that when it's something I'm not sure about and don't want to send it to Goodwill to lead-poison someone else's child); but it's a whole set and a collectible, so I'd rather know something before just getting rid of it. Id love to hear about what you love to collect in the comments below or leave me a picture on my Facebook page. In response to the school evacuation, 50 scientists signed a letter stating that Fiestaware "is among the most benign radioactive materials commonly found in the home" and applauding the . Whether inherited, found, or purchased, collectors value Depression-era pieces today for their historical significance as an innovative solution a bright moment during one of the darkest decades in American history. After feeling the weight of the glass in your hand, tap the side of the glass with either your fingernail or the tongs of a fork. Short of having the pieces analyzed for their content, we really dont know if the glass contains something to be concerned about. You should not put these dishes in the oven or on the stovetop either. If you don't see a mark etched in the glass, it's possible that the company affixed a paper label to the glass, which rubbed off over time. That also doesn't really answer anything about my actual collection, which is pink. Because it was so cheap, people didnt complain about the thickness. Rarity. Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home! Interestingly, Hobnail glass is a common type of collectable antique glassware. "Depression Glass" might be defined as collectible, mass-produced glassware (principally tableware), inexpensively produced and very popular in average American households beginning in the late 1920s, throughout the 1930s and into the 1940s. Among the companies that did mark their glass was Heisey, whose brand was an "H" inside a diamond shape. October 11, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. EDT. Choose a shade that works with a range of backsplash and countertop materials. Movie theaters would give it away as a premium for coming to the pictures. The value of Uranium glass pieces is affected by 4 main factors - these include: 1. (Source). However, this is not the most valuable pattern that pink Depression Glass is found in, so you likely wont be able to sell it for over $100. Pink Depression Glass does have value to collectors and people who love antiques. Most depression glass is not safe to eat or drink off. For many glass collectors, the only color that matters is Vaseline. There is a reason Uranium is restricted when producing glass. But thousands of similarly radioactive plates and cups can be found in antique stores, thrift shops, and possibly your own kitchen cabinets. "Depression glass" is also a term that is sometimes bandied . If you need to contact me, read my signature, don't reply. Depression Glass - Brief Summary. Create your St. Patrick's Day menu from our selection of appetizers and main courses (we included a few drinks, too!). It may be true that there is so little uranium or arsenic in the glass that its not a problem. Uranium that is inside of Depression Glass is embedded into the interior of the glass, not the exterior. I don't want to trash it without knowing anything for sure, given that it was a gift and it's lovely to look at. The Princess pattern is popular among collectors, but pink Depression Glass that has this pattern is not extremely valuable because it was relatively common in the Great Depression Era. With more than 20 manufacturers across the US producing nearly 100 distinct patterns, Depression glass pieces run the gamut, but a few identifying characteristics shine through across the category. Lead glass is typically much heavier than lead-free glass due to the higher metal content in the crystals. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'antiqueanswers_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-antiqueanswers_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Depression glass is a type of dinnerware that was mass-produced in the 1920s and 1930s. Copy. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. It came in lots of great colors: green, red, black, amethyst, blue, yellow, clear, and pink (which is what I collect). Pink Depression Glass is still safe to use nowadays. You must check the reCAPTCHA button before hitting the Sign Up button. If you want to serve with yours, then go for it! I cant imagine what place settings would have looked like back then with all this green glass sitting out, says Dan. Still, if you're inclined to try, here, we offer a guide to this vintage American glassware from collecting experts. Yet the cost of most Depression glass is still quite reasonable. Pink Depression Glass that is authentic often has floral or geometric patterns. However, as pink Depression Glass doesnt have uranium in it, you can definitely use it without the worry of getting sick. The best way to safely use depression glass is to use it purely for decoration and collection. Best Answer. Common depression glass colors include amber, blue, pink, and green. On March 17, there's much to dofrom cooking corned beef and cabbage and donning your finest green attire to raising a glass in honor of Irish pride. Based on appearance, its easy to confuse Uranium glass with Depression glass, but Depression glass does not have any uranium in it, so it doesnt glow. The most commonly-used salts contained tin and magnesium (not bad), but some of it used cobalt-containing salts and other nasty stuff you wouldn't want to ingest. It doesnt sound like depression glass to me because of the frosting and lack of design. The value of Depression glass has been rising steadily in recent years. The thin strands of straw left lines on the bottom of the glass. Corinne Segura | My Chemical-Free House Consulting, How High Performance can Help Prevent Mold, How I Recovered from Chemical Sensitivities, Emergency Housing for Chemical and Mold Sensitivity. Depression glass grew popular, in its stead, particularly among consumers who sought the look of opulent place settings for a fraction of the cost. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. This unique ability to glow is one of the reasons collectors have such a fascination with Depression glass. Antique Answers was started to provide answers to my own questions, which will hopefully become a great resource for others interested in their own vintage heirlooms. The condition and rarity of your pink Depression Glass piece are the main determining factors of its value. Offer a guide to this vintage American glassware from collecting experts or geometric patterns and 1930s include:.... Love adding new pieces or replacing chipped ones with ones that look new,,... And cups can be found in antique stores, thrift shops, and crystal were the most often produced of! Glow is one of the glass, not the exterior great is depression glass safe to eat off of on the bottom of the collectors... Uranium that is sometimes bandied with all this green glass sitting out, says Dan use it the... Glass has been rising steadily in recent years a historic Atlanta neighborhood directly fund womens education in northeast.! All this green glass sitting out, says Dan Chromium and/or Uranium, Amber glass... 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