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What is the difference between depression glass and carnival glass

By Emily Sparks

Identification. Both carnival and depression glass are colored. However, carnival glass features an iridescent, multicolored look, whereas depression glass has more of a simple, single-colored, transparent look. Carnival glass was made to inexpensively mimic glass made by the Tiffany Company.

What color of Depression glass is most valuable?

Pink glass is most valuable, followed by blue and green. Rare colors such as tangerine and lavender are also worth more than common colors like yellow and amber. If you stumble upon an extremely rare piece like the red ruby Aladdin Beehive Lamp, expect to pay $800 or more!

What is the rarest color of carnival glass?

  • Fenton Ambergina – a deep orange-red tone.
  • Northwood Marigold – a warm-toned deep yellow.
  • Fenton Cherry Red – a dark, glowing red.
  • Northwood Black Amethyst – a very dark purple that appears almost black.

How can you tell if it's carnival glass?

  • Look at the coloring and sheen for the iridescent rainbow effect.
  • Check out the base of the glass, which should not be thick or weighty. …
  • Look for the manufacturer’s mark, although keep in mind many companies did not place a mark on their carnival glass.

What is considered Carnival Glass?

Carnival glass is moulded or pressed glass to which an iridescent surface shimmer has been applied. It has previously been referred to as aurora glass, dope glass, rainbow glass, taffeta glass, and disparagingly as ‘poor man’s Tiffany’.

How do you identify Depression glass?

Distinguishing Real from Reproduction Pieces. Look for tiny bubbles on the surface of the glass. Check the piece very closely, and look at it from all angles. If it is a real piece of depression glass, there will be a scattering of small bubbles.

Is Depression glass worth money?

While many of the common patterns in yellow or amber can be acquired for just a few dollars, patterns that were short-lived during the Great Depression are particularly valuable. Glass that was once worth less than a quarter can be worth thousands of dollars today. … Assorted Depression-era pressed glass, red.

What is Depression glass made of?

Some depression glass is uranium glass. Although of marginal quality, Depression glass has been highly collectible since the 1960s. Due to its popularity as a collectible, it is becoming more scarce on the open market. Rare pieces may sell for several hundred dollars.

Why is Carnival glass so expensive?

This pressed glass style comes in a variety of bright and muted colors, which are usually determined by the base color of the glass itself. … Scarce quantities remain of red, aqua, peach, and milk glass, making them more valuable. The base of a carnival glass bowl with a dark-blue, nearly violet hue.

Is green Depression glass radioactive?

Not all green Depression glass is radioactive and there are pieces that pre-date the 1930s that also contain detectable levels of radiation. Uranium glass is prized for the deep color it gives off and will glow fluorescent under a UV light. … Other colors like blue, aqua, and even red have been found to contain uranium.

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How do I sell Depression Glass?

  1. Locally try Craigslist or similar websites.
  2. Contact dealers if you have particularly nice pieces.
  3. Try a garage sale or take it to a flea market if you have one.
  4. Look for a consignment auction house.
  5. If you sell online via eBay be sure to photograph, describe then ship carefully.

What is the rarest piece of carnival glass?

Auctioneer’s Description: Millersburg BLUE Peoples vase. EXTREMELY RARE! The most ICONIC piece of Carnival Glass ever made. This vase is considered by most to be the KINGPIN of all carnival glass, not just Millersburg.

Does real carnival glass have seams?

Taking its roots in America, carnival glass is simply press-molded glass with an iridescent finish. First manufactured in early 1905, the intricate pattern work and stunning colors captured the Art Nouveau aesthetic perfectly. Most patterns were inspired by nature or geometry, detailed to hide the seams from the mold.

How can you tell Fenton Carnival Glass?

To identify whether a piece of glass is Fenton glass, look for a sticker near the bottom of the item. The stickers are usually oval and may have scalloped or smooth edges. You may also see an oval with the word Fenton stamped into the glass if the piece was made after 1970.

What are the colors of Carnival Glass?

About Carnival Colors Carnival glass colors definitions are based on the color of the glass, with the exception of marigold, clambroth, white, and some smoke, which are clear glass. The most common color is marigold, followed by amethyst/purple, blue, and green.

Can you put carnival glass in the dishwasher?

Five Things to Avoid When Cleaning Carnival Glass These habits can cause permanent damage and destroy the value of your glass: Never clean antique carnival glass in the dishwasher. Most carnival glass was made before the dishwasher was invented, and the soap and high temperatures can destroy it.

Does all depression glass glow?

Both green Depression glass and Vaseline glass will glow under a black light due ​to the uranium oxide content in the glass. … American colorless pressed glass made before 1930 is said to fluoresce yellow, while reproductions generally do not.

Can depression glass be clear?

“S” Pattern Depression Glass Pattern Mainly found in clear, but other colors such as yellow, amber, and red can also be found in certain pieces.

Is there black depression glass?

Depression glass, as it came to be known, was produced in a wide range of bright colors—pink, pale blue, green, amber, and less common colors like canary, ultramarine, jadeite, delphite (opaque pale blue), cobalt blue, red, black, amethyst, monax, white (milk glass), and even fluorescent uranium glass that glows under …

Is depression glass marked?

If you’re trying to determine the value of Depression glass you own, the first step is usually identifying the pattern and/or manufacturer. Some pieces of this type of glassware are marked, but the vast majority of dinnerware pieces are not so you will have to do some research to move forward with valuation.

Does depression glass have lead in it?

Lime-soda glass was used to make most of the pressed dinnerware items in depression glass patterns. The lead glass was used to make blown items like stemware and vases. Regardless of which type of glass was being made, arsenic was added to the glass formula. That’s right – arsenic.

Why does green depression glass glow?

The great majority of the green Depression-era glass contains very small quantities of uranium, which causes the glass to glow a fluorescent green under an ultraviolet light (blacklight).

Why is it called Vaseline glass?

The most common color of uranium glass is pale yellowish-green, which in the 1930s led to the nickname “Vaseline glass”, based on a perceived resemblance to the appearance of Vaseline-brand petroleum jelly as formulated at that time.

What is so special about Depression Glass?

While generally made with low-quality glass, the plates, saucers, cups and bowls that are today classified as “Depression Glass” have bright colors and pretty molded patterns that make them as fun to collect today as they were 80 years ago.

Is Depression Glass the same as uranium glass?

Depression glass, clear or colored-but-translucent glassware, became popular during—you guessed it—the Great Depression. … Uranium glass, meanwhile, is glassware that was made with uranium oxide. These pieces range from yellow to green. The use of uranium in glass manufacturing dates back to the ancient Romans.

Is green Depression glass worth anything?

Produced by Hocking Glass Company around 1929 to 1933, this green glass cup is a common find. The value has generally held steady around $5 for a single cup for a few decades.

Does Depression glass have uranium?

Based on appearance, it’s easy to confuse Uranium glass with Depression glass, but Depression glass does not have any uranium in it, so it doesn’t glow.

How can you tell Vaseline glass without a black light?

Find fluorescent glass by looking for a softer glow. Fluorescent glass will glow slightly under UV light, but it won’t be as bright or as green as vaseline glass. Look for a softer, more natural glow to distinguish between fluorescent and vaseline glass.

How can you tell if a glass is Jeanette?

The mark indicating a piece was made Jeannette Glass Company included a capital J enclosed by either a square or a triangle, and sometimes alone. The J is sometimes is reversed on the bottom of the piece, but appears normally when seen through the bottom of a tumbler, goblet or ice cream glass.

What is the oldest carnival glass?

In 1908, Fenton made the first American pieces we now know as carnival glass. Northwood also began their production in the same year. Other companies such as Millersburg, founded by John W. Fenton after the Fenton Art Glass venture proved profitable, and Dugan also made beautiful carnival pieces.

What is Fenton Carnival Glass?

Fenton Art Glass made Carnival Glass originally from 1907 through to the late 1920s. In the 1970s, they revived the techniques of making Carnival and re-introduced Carnival Glass products that have become best sellers and known throughout the world.