The novelty glass has enchanted collectors for centuries even though—or maybe because?—it's radioactive.
What Is Uranium Glass (and Is It Dangerous)?
Published on Jan. 24, 2025
I vividly remember the first time I saw uranium glass. In daylight, the antique bowl looked ordinary—pale green, transparent glass with a decorative rim—but under a UV light, it transformed, glowing as bright as neon. It looked almost like an X-ray, showing every ornate detail of the glass in iridescent green. Unsurprisingly, this amazing type of vintage glass is hugely popular with collectors.
What is uranium glass?
It’s glass manufactured with a small amount of uranium added to achieve a distinctive yellow-green color. In its heyday, the glass was often called “Vaseline glass” because its translucent yellow hue resembled the jelly. The fluorescent glass was wildly popular, and between the 1830s and 1930s, manufacturers across North America and Europe used it to create endless varieties of household objects, such as vases, bowls, plates and even drinking glasses.
In the 1940s, production came to a complete stop. The United States government seized all available uranium for the Manhattan Project. Through the 1950s, the Cold War and nuclear race tied up the uranium supply, but the tinted glass had a resurgence of popularity in the groovy ’60s and ’70s. It’s rare to see it made today. That means that almost all uranium glass pieces you’ll find are antiques dating back 50 years or more.
Is uranium glass dangerous?
Technically, uranium glass is radioactive—but at such a low level, it won’t harm you from ordinary handling or from living with pieces on display. In fact, in 2001, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission published a report stating that uranium glass is considered safer than most household electronics.
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.
Where do I find uranium glass?
Since uranium glass was wildly popular for decades, it’s relatively easy to find. Antique shops and vintage stores are a good bet, especially if they specialize in glassware. You might even get lucky at a thrift store—it’s definitely a good thing to hunt for at Goodwill. Online shops like Etsy and eBay are certain to have a good supply but don’t expect the bargains you might find at a rummage sale.
If you want to be sure it’s real uranium glass and not another antique glass like jadeite or milk glass, take it into the dark and test it under a UV light.
How much is uranium glass worth?
Uranium glass is relatively affordable, which makes it a fun item for burgeoning collectors. Like vintage Pyrex, you’ll occasionally stumble across a super-rare piece, which drives the value up much higher. If you’re not an expert, here’s a rundown: basic table settings, simple stemmed vases and bowls are generally affordable, costing less than $100. Rarer, more valuable pieces tend to look striking, like Victorian-era pieces with extravagant detail (think candlesticks, vases or decanters).
Unusual objects are almost always worth more. You may find uranium glass clocks, globes, elaborate animal-shaped jars and even furniture-sized pieces like statues or goldfish bowls. The larger, older and more unusual a piece is, the more likely it is to cost more (as much as several thousand dollars). If the glass bears a maker’s label or country of origin, that’s also a good clue to help you research your find.
