| Glassware collectors the world over are in tune to | | | | did pose risk for uranium contamination. |
| the varied and beautiful collections of glass that | | | | Subsequently, the collection of green glassware is |
| define certain generations. Glassware lines can | | | | largely for decorative purposes; most consumers |
| actually act as a historical timeline, as we see the | | | | would not think of exposing themselves |
| lines and colors metamorphose to reflect the | | | | needlessly to even small traces of uranium so this |
| changing times. There are glassware collections | | | | is not a line that is put into practical everyday use |
| for all tastes and budgets - running from the | | | | much any more. |
| conservative and clear to the funky and colorful. | | | | Like many manufacturers of the time, production |
| One such colorful line of glassware - and one that | | | | ceased during Word War II and the green |
| receives quite a bit of attention by collectors - is | | | | glassware line would not reappear until the end of |
| green glassware. Green glassware began to be | | | | the 1950s. At this time the production method |
| produced in the 1830s; glass blowers achieved the | | | | switched to the use of depleted uranium rather |
| green glassware's distinctive color by adding | | | | than natural uranium. There are companies that |
| uranium during the production process. Also | | | | continued to make decorative green glassware |
| known as Vaseline glass, green glassware - while | | | | and still do today. But the period pieces prior to |
| green is color - is transparent. Consumers were | | | | World War II are most in demand for collectors. |
| intrigued by the unique collection and its popularity | | | | Finding green glassware can be tricky as the |
| soared. | | | | authentic pieces can look quite the same as any |
| Of course the possible health effects of eating | | | | green colored glass. One way to check for |
| and drinking from glassware made of uranium did | | | | authenticity - while not an exact science - is to |
| not go unnoticed. Researchers concluded that the | | | | take the glass into a dark area and expose it to |
| levels of uranium present in the green glassware | | | | ultraviolet light. Authentic glass should - in most |
| did not warrant much concern. However, later | | | | cases - literally glow in the dark from its uranium |
| research yielded different results; it was found | | | | content. |
| that water glasses made from green glassware | | | | |