Uranium Glass - What It Is, How To Spot It, and Current Market Value

Uranium glass - every home needs at least one of these bad boys! A quick introduction to uranium glass; what it is, how to spot it, and current market appetite for this type of glass.
I ran a little "experiment'" to see if I could detect any radioactivity emitting from my pieces....aaaaand the Geiger Counter actually detected radiation!
If you are a thrifter then you should get yourself a UV flashlight and do some uranium glass hunting, trust me its worth it ;)
Difference bewtween 365nm and 395nm UV lights: www.waveformli...
Article for the true uranium glass nerds: www.orau.org/h...
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:04 What Is Uranium Glass
3:04 How To Spot It
4:07 Quick Note on UV Flashlights
5:16 Experiment with Geiger Counter
6:52 Market & Price

[@likybikky5083]

A tip I use for spotting uranium glass without a UV torch is that it sometimes has a yellow tinge when held up to natural light! Also look out for a milky, opaque ‘pooling’ in a very pale green - similar to the colour of glow in the dark star stickers (doesn’t actually glow in the dark though) the more milky glass is known as Vaseline glass

[@TimelessMerchant]

Ooo! I love that tip; super valuable :)

[@hankfarley2514]

This is spot on. I always thought the stuff was cool, but never looked for any. I did today. Took me 5 minutes to find a piece. Measuring cup. Stood out like a sore thumb and I knew exactly what it was before hitting it with my UV light. It'll look really solid next to other florescent minerals.

[@twerkinthecityhuh6340]

That's Vaseline glass

[@twerkinthecityhuh6340]

No Vaseline glass is yellow tinged not milky!!

[@nickt5349]

Vaseline glass is uranium glass, just a different term.

[@jenniferlabouliere7194]

My mate and I have well over 300 not including marbles. We have some from are older family and others from thrift stores and estate sales. We have been debating on letting go of some. I am glad we came across this video. I even have the horse you showed a pic of.

[@AtrumNoxProductions]

After thrifting for a year, I finally got a hold of my first piece. I was very excited. A nice glass for $1.

[@TimelessMerchant]

💯👌

[@pokerdealer2003]

After a year im going to have to buy another house to store it all. I must be in a good area for it.

[@IamEWoof]

@@pokerdealer2003 lol! What state are you in?

[@pokerdealer2003]

@@IamEWoof Washington

[@pokerdealer2003]

Omg since this vid I have been so lucky, I seriously need to catch some of my goodwill finds on video.

[@HopsAndLead]

3:24 the clear glows green with your 365nm light because it is manganese glass and NOT uranium glass. It will not glow with 395nm but uranium glass will react to either.

[@TimelessMerchant]

That's huge! Thanks for teaching me :D

[@gregyourspinedoctor]

that's what ive experienced, a false positive for uranium. I just made my first mistake with this. it was an expensive one.

[@brianraappana7973]

Learned this too after my first few trips through the thrift stores

[@ronniemontgomery4394]

Now you're talking, great job. I have been chasing this glass for years and I just love it. I have a morano piece called dancer's that is uranium glass. And it's from around 1926 to 1928, and I only paid 11 dollars. So it's still out there. Just keep your eyes and mind open. Good luck hunting.

[@lovedecanters7891]

My earliest piece of uranium glass is close to 1800 and a kind of brown/khaki colour. Under UV it’s bright green and probably has a higher uranium content. 18th and 19th century glass makers had their own secret compounds/methods for clarifying and colouring glass, and experimented to create new effects and colours. Basically they would worked this out by trial and error.

[@jassheen5318]

Uranium is primarily an alpha emitter. A Geiger counter that detects alpha emission will give more satisfying results when it comes to detecting radiation from uranium glass.

[@Rafficarian]

Strange how my beta gamma, geiger counter goes nuts on fiesta, where a normal uranium glass

[@RMX7777]

@@Rafficarian Fiesta ware just has a lot more Uranium in it. Glass is usually around 2% Uranium by mass, where ceramic glaze is typically closer to 15-20%.

[@GalXsea-Class]

I'm a new collector and love the few I have found.i have seen that people are getting more knowledgeable and the price is going up in my small town.thank you for this video.

[@TimelessMerchant]

Thank you for watching and commenting 😊 Yes uranium glass is a lot of fun to collect! My next goal on the list is to find a uranium glass sculpture; I think that would be so cool to display with a permanent UV fixture illuminating it 😄

[@lupinthe3rd629]

hi,from Japan I have to uranium little glass. sometimes,open an antique market discovery in Tokyo.

[@stevenlindsey2056]

I found a whole set of these last Saturday. Plates, cups ,a pitcher ,and and punch bowl.

[@zzdogger]

I myself own a Geiger counter and a small collection of radioactive dishware, and my vintage orange Fiestaware teacup gets the counter up over 3,000 CPM! 50% higher than the "evacuate immediately, report to government" warning on the card; however it's only detectable from a few inches away, and I don't drink from it often.

[@crazycowgirl3919]

3000??? I feel like that's not safe to drink from

[@evilgabe666]

I found a piece at a thrift store just laying on the shelf next to a lot of junk. This store is probably the worst of the thrift stores. The piece of glass was more valuable than a used shirt and it was priced what I'd expect a used shirt to be, a buck

[@cannotgraduate3118]

It must be a SAVERS store lol They are horrible!

[@dewdyoimtheman]

Wow did not know uranium glass was even a thing!!! 🤯So cool

[@TimelessMerchant]

right?! It's pretty rad......get it? 😂

[@jarredbrandso]

Favorite episode thus far!

[@TimelessMerchant]

☢

[@glennbiss5588]

Thanks man! Great video. I just started collecting and it’s addicting lol!

[@brendan.1979]

Great video 😀 So in other words, every piece of Uranium Glass that you find, whether it be a plate, glass, vase, the age of it is anywhere between 1850 and 1920 (every single piece) ?

[@TimelessMerchant]

Thank you! :) No, I think drawing definite dates like that is hard to do. I would say that the mid 1800s is when we start to see an increase in usage of uranium in the glass industry, but the use of uranium in glass making has been around for longer than that. Personally, as a rule of thumb, I date uranium glass as 1940s or earlier, as the ban on uranium in commercial production entered into effect in the early 40s. This ban was later lifted (late 50s I believe) , but the process of making glass with uranium, on a mass scale, was never really brought back. Sure, you can probably find some pieces that were made post-ban, but I'd wager to say that this production would be on a super small scale. Actually as I'm writing this, I realize that I'm just speaking from an American perspective; I'm not sure what the rest of the world did or didn't do in terms of banning uranium in glass production, or how individual countries regulated the use of uranium?? So yeah haha, I guess that would be another interesting rabbit hole to explore!

[@Dinnye01]

The issue is that the particular type of counter you are using cannot detect the most prevalent radiation of Uranium. There are several hundreds of CPM worth of alpha radiation that it cannot detect. Mind you, it is still safe to handle occasionally, but don't let yourself fooled by an inappropriate detector.

[@TimelessMerchant]

ohhhh very interesting!! Thank you for that piece of information :)

[@Dinnye01]

@@TimelessMerchant There is a Nile Red video on making Uranium Glass. I suggest you watch it, it also holds a lot of information on actually how it's made (and on some uranium handling methods). My comment may have made it sound like it's not very safe. However, if you handle it occasionaly and do not let any dust or particulate come off of it, it is perfectly fine. He also gives exact figures. I strongly recommend you watch his video. You made a nice video nevertheless and I really enjoyed it!

[@TimelessMerchant]

@@Dinnye01 This is awesome information; thanks again, and I'll definitely check out the video! Thanks for watching, means a lot :D

[@rayystilllearning1]

Your content cool af keep doing that content!

[@TimelessMerchant]

Kind words 🙏 Thanks for watching, means a lot

[@DIYDumpRat]

Excellent video ma man 👍 can't wait to start my collection!

[@FisherybyTrade]

This is very cool... great editing 👌 very informative 👏

[@baldtiremuddin]

That clear glass may be Magnesium and not Uranium. Especially if it only glows under the 365NM light.

[@TimelessMerchant]

Oh niceeee 🙂 I didn't even know that Magnesium would light up. Thanks for the info/correction, love learning new stuff from you guys!

[@Shadobanned4life]

Thanks for a nifty, informative video! 🌞

[@rileymarion8662]

The suit!!!!!

[@Federico84]

Can transparent glass be made with uranium or is it made with manganese?

[@justimagine2403]

When you find it in an antique shot and it is labeled Uranium or Vaseline... it is EXPENSIVE... cause they know it is collectible. But taking your flashlight UV and panning around you do run across just stuff in the wild marked at 1 or 2 dollars and you NAB it ! It is fun but I have seen whole cabinets full of glass so I have a long way to go. It does set off my geiger counter so I keep it in my leaded glass curio cabinet.

[@rockeruss555]

I try to stay away from antique store owners because they're also are in the game of buying low and selling high Uranium glass.

[@thomascabral8443]

yes,, I have 250 pieces in my collection including a set 8 love birds depression pattern,,

[@user-pb8rl4gx5c]

Well..from this video, I learned that a,UV flashlight is a 'thing'. Also enjoyed the comments..

[@alienfriedchicken6476]

You show how to see the glow with the lights off. No one has that option in store. Would be nice if you include how it looks in a more realistic lighted situation in store.

[@qqq1701]

Any suggesting for a display light? I got one from amazon that had reviews saying it was good and even a reviewer video showing it working very well. I'm betting they changed the item because it hardly did anything. Can anyone point me to something that works well to light them all up in a display?

[@surefire1333]

New to this hobby. Great simple video lesson. You covered all the basses. 👍❤️ I found a new hobby that me produce some profits. 👍 Thk u !

[@jamesmarcellinus6074]

I want to booking 1 special Uranium glasses for celebrating my successful in my ambition.

[@LickorishAllsorts]

The 365nm lights will fluoresce uranium glass but will also light up manganese glass that has absolutely *no* uranium, the 395nm lights will only fluoresce uranium glass.

[@varsityathlete9927]

Does a uv light work in day time if you are checking a thrift shop or do you need to put the item in a dark place?

[@rockeruss555]

Yes, it does work. 🙂

[@seanhogan7552]

It does but I like to pop the item into the shade if I can

[@tyrlant2189]

If it's good it will light up bright with even a dim uv pen light.

[@VintageSoul]

Great video 💚

[@jenniferbuescher9762]

Is it safe to use?

[@TimelessMerchant]

Based on personal experience and knowledge, I consider uranium glass safe to use. But risk tolerance vary and knowledge about certain topics change as time goes on, so I would recommend you to do your own due diligence; don't trust random internet strangers haha 😅

[@tareasytrabajosadolfoarian4849]

I want collect Uranium glass, I'm wondering if they imported to Mexico

[@TitanTerrastoya]

Haha imma have to get a geiger couter for my aunt now they have like 120+ uranium glass dishes and cups sitting around there house

[@twerkinthecityhuh6340]

Where did you get that outfit??

[@glassinthedark]

Cool!

[@TimelessMerchant]

Thanks for watching & commenting :)

[@uwusmolbean]

Myanium ❤😊 from feldspar

[@luketanner7483]

The clear glass is probably manganese glass

[@zachary_attackery]

the problem with using a 365 flashlight is most blacklights people put in their display cabinets are 395, so you might end up buying something that lights up with your 365 flashlight but then doesn't show up under your regular blacklights in your cabinet

[@jehovahuponyou]

I LOOKED ALL OVER WAL-MART AND THE INNER-NET AND COULD NEVER FIND A *"YOU-VEE FLASHLIGHT"* - WHERE CAN I GET ONE, AND HOW MUCH ARE THEY???!!!!

[@pokerdealer2003]

up to 30% uranium, not 3. awesome vid.

[@TimelessMerchant]

oo thanks for correction, good catch! Thank you :)

[@RMX7777]

The high percentage Uranium glass is easy to tell apart from the low. Glass with a high concentration of Uranium in it will look opaque, where as the 2-3% stuff is clear.

[@carolyncannon7805]

You look like a nasa scientist sir

[@TimelessMerchant]

I wish I was one 😂

[@HansBelphegor]

I bought a tea mug that is a 1889 making that has a big v on it, going to be my coffee mug.

[@collector_n_things]

dude the intro is not needed for uranium glass it is more needed for vintage cracked/chiped fiestaware i literly have/use my uranium glass colection

[@RMX7777]

That would be overkill, even for chipped fiesta ware. Maybe if the glaze were grinded into a powder, but that would already be illegal.

[@judymelchert3966]

I find it at yard sales

[@ba_charles]

lol why does your tyvek suit have a bomb shelter symbol on it?

[@borisbellone5833]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/infMZpWCp8d1gJY una radiografia con la pechblenda di marie curie

[@twerkinthecityhuh6340]

Ur opening...too funny

[@Ittybittythetwofacedkitty]

Is this Chris Elliot?

[@TimelessMerchant]

😂 I had to Google the name! Never heard that one!

[@c0ba1t]

Get a dosimeter. This stuff isn't that hot. I have much hotter stuff... like a Radium compass (Half a million counts per minute of gamma radiation).

[@ened30]

obviously, i would never use it because if it breaks probably there would be uranium everywhere and uranium is the most radioactive material. alot of uranium particles do not buy

[@RMX7777]

Uranium is one of the least radioactive isotopes. Its half-life is 4 and a half billion years.

[@susanrinaldi9131]

Put your Geiger counter next to your telephone and see how much radiation that’s putting out

[@LubckeEnjoyer]

Phones don't put out the same radiation

[@FenianAn1mal]

please say you are just trolling and not really this ignorant

[@susanrinaldi9131]

@@FenianAn1mal I’m really that ignorant. I never put the phone next to my head. Colbalt glass and mercury silver glass ornaments ……. Safety first

[@HPG45]

You’d need an RFR/EMR meter to measure the hazard of these. But, non-ionizing radiation (wireless devices) ≠ ionizing radiation (radioactive elements), but yes, both bad for your health.

[@RMX7777]

@@HPG45 The microwave band used by cellphones is of no consequence to your health.

[@kevin42]

This video is horrifically inaccurate.

[@slythewhyissilent]

Get some radio active trash, (recycled art is always in), from the Japanese tsunami. Get some lead lined glass to make your display box out of. Make a flower out of your contaminated waste, (it must be contaminated enough to power a small display light for itself), put it all together under your 'safety glass' display box and you would have what? Your own personal radio active power plant.

[@bdegrds]

As uranium decays it releases radon gas. As well the detector your using does not detect alpha particles. Messing around and making videos with something as serious as uranium with a limited Google education is irresponsible.

[@tojanarm]

You do not need a PhD in nuclear physics to collect or handle glassware made with uranium. You can LITERALLY find any information on Google. If you're afraid of uranium glass consider the following: do not go outside (radiation from sun), get rid of certain household appliances, stay away from flying, and make sure you never enter a radon free basement without a hazmat suit.

[@jaffacalling53]

Oh no, it releases alpha particles! Alpha particles that can't even peneteate your skin! And an extremely, stupidly small amount of radon that should almost entirely remain trapped in the glass as well! What a horror!

[@winterbear8633]

Look up Galen Windsor

[@helenhoward5346]

His life, he's a competent adult. It's honestly minimal risk as long as he's not eating off them everyday for prolonged periods. Radium glass, not great, not terrible either. This is interesting content. Return to your lead shielded bubble wrapped safe space. No, you probably shouldn't expose yourself to radiation recreationally, HOWEVER, this honestly isn't that dangerous. It's the prolonged exposure, mainly through eating off of radioactive sources, that gets you. He's an amateur sure, but it's radium glass. It's like collecting radium watches. Shoot ppl used to wear them 24/7 and it's not like they ended up like the radium girls. No it's not great, but it's NOT terrible. But if you're some sort of expert (if you were, then you wouldn't freak out and Karen out on this guy) then why don't you save us from our ignorance then? Life is full of toxic exposure, I've found the most toxicity comes from narcissistic individuals tbh...

[@RMX7777]

Uranium glassware doesn't produce any appreciable amount of radon gas, only natural Uranium such as its ores will produce that. Before Uranium is used to make the glass it is chemically purified, meaning they remove all of the daughter isotopes from it. This means the only radioactive element being added to the glass is Uranium. The primary isotope, U-238, has a half-life of 4.5 billion years. Such a long half-life means that Uranium will only experience around 12,400 decays per second. Keep in mind that a single glass can contain trillions of atoms, so it is an extreemly small percentage that will decay at any one time. When U-238 decays it becomes Th-234 and then Pa-234, which both have short half-lives. Once Pa-234 decays it becomes U-234, which has another long half-life at 245,000 years. Upon decaying again it will become Th-230, which has another long half-life at over 75,000 years. It takes nearly one million years for Th-230 to reach its equilibrium point in the Uranium glass (the point where it will emit the maximum amount of Radon), on a human time scale the amount of Radon coming off the glass is practically zero.

[@FenianAn1mal]

not a bad video but like many vids on uranium glass....its NOT THE SAME material as used in nuclear reactors OR weapons. IDK why ppl assert this, to add some jazz to their videos, or out of ignorance. I wont bother to explain the difference between naturally occuring uranium ores, and weapons grade material but it should be fkin obvious they arent putting highly enriched material into a wine glass ffs. Also CPMs are not how they measure the biological risk of exposure to ionizing radiation...not that it matters because the counts were so low to be laughible. Im thinking you may just get a higher count from a bunch of bananas, or standing next to a giant piece of granite, but you never know.

[@MinSredMash]

Yes, it's literally the SAME MATERIAL. This is just glass with a percentage point or two of U-238, plus trace amounts of U-235. If you bought a few hundred kilograms of uranium glass from pre-1948 and chemically separated out the uranium, you could indeed create a fuel pellet for a CANDU nuclear reactor. Any other civilian reactor would just need a bit more U-235 in the mix.

[@FenianAn1mal]

@@MinSredMash lol the only correct thing you said there was about the CANDU design. It's clear you have little to no understanding of wtf you said. typical uranium glass contains about 2% of uranium in its oxide form....of that 2% less than 1% of it is u235. you would need alot more than a few hundred kg to refine into something useful for reactor fueling. and again it is not the same material used in nuclear weps or most reactors.

[@MinSredMash]

@@FenianAn1mal Everything I said was correct, "lol". Read my comment carefully. I said CANDU fuel *pellet*. Do you know how tiny a fuel pellet is? It is just 200 grams of uranium. So 2% of several hundred kilos of glass is enough uranium for one pellet. You also appear to be ignorant of the fact that the CANDU uses *unenriched* uranium, so the natural U-235 content is sufficient. Nice try attempting to look smart on the internet, better luck next time.