UV Glass, Ultraviolet, Vaseline, Uranium Glass - What is it?

Sea glass - UV vaseline glass, also called uranium glass

Sea glass - UV vaseline glass, also called uranium glass

~ Here's the answer from Nick Donofrio* of SeaGlassDreams.com:

VASELINE GLASS / URANIUM GLASS - WHAT IS IT ?

Vaseline Glass is a term used to describe a yellowish-green glass that was produced using "uranium dioxide" in the glass mixture and glows a vivid neon green, red or even blue in the presence of ultraviolet light or "black light."

The more Uranium Dioxide in the glass the brighter the Glow!

It was primarily made from 1840, up to just before WWII by Anchor Hocking, and then was continued from 1959 to the present.

Vaseline Glass was in its heyday during the Victorian period from the 1880s to the 1920s.

UV vaseline glass for sea glass
"Vasline glass glowing" by Realfintogive - Own work.




Due to the high cost of uranium today, vaseline glass is being produced much less and is very much in demand among collectors.

The government confiscated all supplies of uranium during WWII and halted all production of vaseline glass.

FACT: Vaseline glass is not harmful, as the emissions from the glass are just slightly stronger than normal background radiation that we are all exposed to on a daily basis.

~ Nick Donofrio* of SeaGlassDreams.com

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*from Nick's previous comments on this forum

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sea glass colors line

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Pieces of Uranium Glass

Comments for UV Glass, Ultraviolet, Vaseline, Uranium Glass - What is it?

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Nov 18, 2017
 red beach glass glows under UV light
by: Anonymous

I found it along Lake Michigan. Is it safe to have around? There are three tiny triangles on it, maybe part of a pattern.
Jul 29, 2016
 red and red/orange sea glass
by: bill

I was hunting sea glass today in Southern California and found two red and one red/orange sea glass.  

When I put the UV light on them one of the red and the red/orange lite up.  

How rare are these pieces?  

I also found one Vaseline and one turquoise which did not fluoresce.

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Hi Bill,

How rare are these pieces? They are very rare ... if they are well tumbled, rounded, and frosted.

Excellent finds! Can you upload some photos? We'd love to see these very unique pieces.

David and Lin @ OdysseySeaGlass
May 11, 2016
 Why so many different colors?
by: Toni

I took all my green seaglass and put it under a black light, most glows pink...some aqua...some yellow...and some red..and of course some stay green.

After reading this article it makes sense but why the yellow.

I also heard emeralds from the 1715th fleet will glow red under black light.(and look like green seaglass)..how true is that? Because I've found quite a bit in the area of where the ships went down.

Any info.would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Toni

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Hi Toni,

Lin and I have been waiting to see if there are any experts on this area of glass.

Did you find out anything more? It is very interesting and we would enjoy hearing more and especially also seeing some photos if possible.

Very intriguing.

David and Lin @ OdysseySeaGlass.com
Oct 24, 2015
 Previous comments
by: >>>

Jun 05, 2015
Orange!
by: Summer

Hi Chuck,

I just got a black light and checked all my glass last night.

Found about 8 small bright yellow/greens and an orange (!!!).

It's so bright under the light. :)


Nov 15, 2014
Wow, didn't know this!
by: Chuck

I was wondering if anyone has found sea glass of a color other than green that glows under a black light.

I have pieces that I am wondering about but they are light blue.

I don't have a black light at this time and would like to know if anyone can answer this question.

Chuck in Hawaii

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