Green glassware is a very popular type of collectible and is often known as Vaseline glass. The glassware in this category is colored green by adding uranium to the glass while it is being made. You can instantly determine if green glassware has uranium in it, by turning out the lights, turn on a UV light or black light, and the glass will turn a fluorescent green. Using a black light isn t necessarily a definitive test for whether the glassware has uranium in it or not, since some types of green glassware that contain uranium won t fluoresce under the light, but it is something neat to do.

History of Green Glass

Uranium gives the green glassware its unique color was first used in the 1830s, and was used from that point on to manufacture this type of glassware. Production of the unique green glassware stopped for about 15 years starting at the beginning of World War II,but by 1959, manufacturers were making green glassware again. Only now the glass was being made with depleted uranium instead of natural uranium. Some companies today are still making this kind of glassware and still add uranium to it; however, the only items being made today are for decorative purposes. Companies do not make dinnerware out of the green glassware since we know more about some of the effects of uranium on human body.

With the concern about the uranium and radiation exposure, it was tested and proven that the levels just are not that high and won t cause any damage. Drinking glasses were made for a while after World War II, but was later said that when water is added to the glass and allowed to sit for a specific period of time, the uranium does leach out into the water. This is one of the reason that his type of glassware is only used for display purposes.

Green glassware or Vaseline glass is a unique collectible with a very interesting history. Even though uranium is and was used to make the green glassware, generally the amount of uranium the glass emits is low enough to be a non-factor. Green glassware has a unique and rather odd color, but it can be quite attractive and some collectors prefer its uniqueness to any other type of collectible glass. If you just have it to look at instead of use for actually drinking or eating purposes then you are fine.

The Cellar Set of 4 Curvy Glassware, Cobalt

The Cellar Set of 4 Curvy Glassware, Cobalt Shapely curves give these glasses a stylish look and give you a better grip. Each glass has a substantial base and is embellished with a frosted stripe. Choose from high ball, double old fashioned or all purpose wine goblet sold in sets of 4.