Vaseline & Uranium Glass Value & Identification
Estimated value · from sold prices
$15 – $600
Indicative educational range — not a formal appraisal.
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Vaseline glass is a yellow-green glass coloured with a trace of uranium, and its party trick is also the authenticity test: it glows bright green under a UV (365nm) blacklight. Most common small dishes and pressed pieces sell for about $15–$60, good coloured or patterned pieces run $40–$150, and marked pieces by desirable makers (Heisey, Cambridge) or striking art forms reach $150–$600. The blacklight glow separates true uranium glass from ordinary yellow or green glass that just looks similar, so it's the first thing to check. After that, maker, form, colour and condition set the price. It's mildly radioactive but considered safe to display and handle normally.
What drives the value
Uranium glow
A bright green glow under 365nm UV confirms genuine uranium glass — the key authenticity check.
Maker & form
Marked Heisey/Cambridge and striking art forms beat common unmarked dishes.
Colour & condition
Strong, even colour and no chips or cracks add value.
Typical sold price ranges
Directional ranges informed by public sold prices (auctions, estate and marketplace sales), not a list of individual lots; values fluctuate by rarity and condition, and thin-market ranges are hedged, not firm.
Care & conservation
Confirm it with a 365nm blacklight (it should glow bright green), then check the maker and condition. It's mildly radioactive but safe to display and handle normally.
Frequently asked
How do I know if it's real Vaseline glass?
Shine a 365nm UV blacklight on it in the dark: genuine uranium (Vaseline) glass glows bright green. Ordinary yellow or green glass won't glow that way, so the blacklight test is the definitive check.
Is uranium glass safe to own?
Yes, for normal display and handling. The uranium content is tiny and the radioactivity is very low; collectors keep and use it routinely, though it's not meant for daily food use.