How to Identify Uranium Glass
How to Identify Uranium Glass
Learn how to identify authentic uranium glass using visual characteristics, maker marks, and expert tips. Based on 5 uranium glass items in the InstAppraisal archive.
🔍Key Identification Characteristics
Visual and physical traits that help identify authentic uranium glass
- 1 Distinctive yellow-green color in normal light (also called vaseline glass for its petroleum-jelly tint)
- 2 Brilliant green fluorescence under ultraviolet (UV/blacklight) — the definitive test
- 3 Produced primarily 1830s-1940s, with production pausing during WWII due to uranium restrictions
- 4 Can be pressed, blown, or mold-blown in patterns matching other Depression-era glassware
- 5 Slightly heavier than non-uranium glass of the same size due to uranium dioxide content
- 6 Color varies from pale yellow to bright green depending on uranium concentration
🔎Common Marks & Labels
Stamps, signatures, and labels to look for on uranium glass
- Most uranium glass pieces are unmarked — identified by the UV glow test rather than marks
- Some pieces carry the same maker marks as other Depression glass: Fenton, Heisey, Cambridge
- Pattern identification helps attribute unmarked pieces to specific makers
- Some custard glass (opaque yellow) also contains uranium and will glow under UV
💡Expert Tips
The only reliable test is UV light: shine a blacklight on the suspected piece in a dim room. Genuine uranium glass will fluoresce a vivid, bright green. No other type of glass produces this exact fluorescence color and intensity
Not all green glass is uranium glass, and not all uranium glass is green. Some custard glass (opaque yellow) and some clear glass also contain uranium. Always test with UV light rather than relying on color alone
Uranium glass is safe to collect and display. The uranium content is minimal (typically 0.1-2%) and the radiation level is negligible. However, avoid using it for food and drink storage as a precaution
Need Help Identifying Your Item?
Upload photos of your uranium glass and get an instant AI-powered identification and valuation — completely free.
Upload Photos for Free AppraisalRelated Identification Guides
Uranium Glass Value Guide
See current market values, price trends, and detailed value analysis.