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What Is Vaseline Glass?

Vaseline glass, also known as uranium glass, is glass that has had uranium added to the mix before the melting process. Vaseline glass was very popular in the 19th century and the early 20th century. It was a popular material for household items, particularly tableware, until the availability of uranium was cut. Vaseline glass is much desired by collectors and the glass is considered a retro-era antique. The advent of the Internet has made it possible for people to collect Vaseline glass without ever having to leave home.

History
- Vaseline glass was mass produced in the 19th century and was very popular during the Victorian period. Production dates ran from about 1840 to around 1959. However, production was halted during World War II when uranium supplies were confiscated. The first major producer of Vaseline glass was Josef Riedel who worked in Dolni Polubny, Bohemia.
Color and Radioactivity
- The color of Vaseline glass ranges from transparent yellow to greens. The glass fluoresces under ultraviolet light and can register radiation on sensitive Geiger counters. However, most Vaseline glass pieces are not considered harmful as they only have trace amounts of radioactivity.
Authenticity
- To prove that Vaseline glass is authentic, most glass collectors and dealers will place it under a UV black light. Authentic Vaseline glass will glow green under a black light. The more intense the UV light, the brighter green the glass piece will glow. Sunlight will also give Vaseline glass a slightly green glow.
Types
- There are other types of glass that have been made with uranium in the mix. Besides Vaseline glass, which has a green glow, there is custard glass. If custard glass has a pink tinge to it, it's then referred to as Burmese glass. It's important that new collectors understand Vaseline glass so they are able to identify it from other types of uranium glass. Essentially, all types of uranium glass are not considered Vaseline glass.
Present Day
- Only very small items are made out of Vaseline glass today. Manufacturers that produce new pieces include Mosser Glass, Gibson Glass, Fenton Glass and Jack Loranger.

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