Year of manufacture– Traditional uranium glass manufacture started in the 1800s and reached its peak in the 1880s.These included antique bottles, figurines, jewelry, chandeliers, vases, mugs, pitchers, and dishware.

Type– Uranium glass was largely used in the manufacture of specific types of items.Texture– Uranium glass features a translucent and oily appearance.Color– The color of uranium glass ranges from greenish-yellow to bright yellow.Glow– When placed under fluorescent or ultraviolet light, uranium glass should display a bright green glow.Uranium glass generally glows green under the backlight.īelow, we will look at some additional tips you can use to identify true uranium glass: The easiest way to identify uranium glass is by checking its color and determining whether it glows under black light. This is because one can ingest small fragments or chips of radioactive material. Eating and Drinking from Uranium Glass is Not RecommendedĮven though the levels of radiation in uranium glass are low, the Environmental Protection Agency advises people to avoid drinking or eating out of items made with the material. The report indicated that you are likely to be exposed to higher levels of radiation from household electronics than from uranium glass. Nuclear Regulation Commission, uranium glass was considered to be safer than everyday electronic items. Uranium Glass is Considered Safer Than Household ElectronicsĪccording to a report published in 2001 by the U.S. This means that it does not have negative health impacts when handled correctly. It is, however, worth noting that the level of radioactivity in uranium glass is very low. While the uranium dioxide used in the glass is vital for the color and appearance, it also makes the uranium glass slightly radioactive.

Below, however, we will look at several safety facts related to uranium glass: Uranium Glass is RadioactiveĮnvironmental Protection Agency reports that uranium glass is one of the few antiques considered radioactive. If it is used properly, uranium glass is safe to have in any home. Is Uranium Glass Safe?īecause of the uranium in it, most people often wonder whether uranium glass is dangerous. However, its use dropped when uranium availability was limited by the Cold War in the years running from the 1940s to the 1990s. In the early days, uranium glass was used as a raw material in the manufacture of household items and tableware. Other manufacturers that produced uranium glass included: The London-based Whitefriars Glass Company was one of the first companies to market uranium glass. The addition of uranium dioxide to glass became popular in the 1830s with the interest in uranium glass booming around the 1880s. Soon after, uranium found its way to glass manufacture because of its decorative and fluorescent effect. Uranium was first identified by Martin Klaproth in 1789. Originally trademarked as Jadite, this subtype was later corrected to “Jadeite.”

Jadite glass– This glass is semi-opaque or opaque pale green.

Custard glass– This subtype is semi-opaque or opaque pale yellow.

The yellowish-green color led to the nickname “Vaseline glass” in the 1930s because it resembled the petroleum jelly produced by the Vaseline brand.

Vaseline glass– This subtype is yellowish-green.Several subtypes of uranium glass exist depending on the color: Uranium dioxide gives the glass a color that ranges from yellow to green. The proportion in which the uranium dioxide is added to the glass mix sits between trace levels and 2% uranium by weight. During the manufacture of uranium glass, uranium dioxide is added to the glass mixture right before melting. You should not use it for extended periods to store things (canning vegetables for example) but a once in a while dinner party is not going to significantly increase someone's radiation exposure.įinally, it's worth noting that the Uranium in this glassware is fixed into place very securely, and it does not have an appreciable residue when left for long periods.Uranium glass is a type of glass that has uranium dioxide in it. Uranium glass can be eaten off of and used to hold liquid. This is opposed to 'Phosphorescence' which is the phenomenon that allows the little glow in the dark keychains and stuff to 'store' light and dissipate it over time. The phenomenon here is 'Flourescence' which means the effect immediately dissipates when the UV lamp is removed. Don't wear a necklace made out of the stuff. Uranium glass can be harmful, if kept in close proximity for an extended period of time. Uranium glass emits primarily beta particles, and when stored in a glass or wood cabinet, causes less radiation exposure than being outside on any given day. Just to pre-empt people speculating about cancer, radiation, and the safety of having this stuff around:

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