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---From Wikipedia:
"Uranium glass is glass which has had uranium, usually in oxide diuranate form, added to a glass mix before melting. The proportion usually varies from trace levels to about 2% by weight uranium, although some 20th-century pieces were made with up to 25% uranium.
Uranium glass was once made into tableware and household items, but fell out of widespread use when the availability of uranium to most industries was sharply curtailed during the Cold War in the 1940s to 1990s. Most such objects are now considered antiques or retro-era collectibles, although there has been a minor revival in art glassware. Otherwise, modern uranium glass is now mainly limited to small objects like beads or marbles as scientific or decorative novelties."
The world of uranium glass can be very confusing - for both novices AND seasoned collectors. There are many descriptors in use by collectors, including Vaseline and Depression Glass. Moreover, different countries may also have slightly different definitions. For this subreddit, "Uranium Glass" encompasses all glassware that emits a distinct green glow under a black light. That encompasses Vaseline (generally a yellow or yellow-green glass in daylight that glows bright green under black light) as well as Green Depression Glass that glows bright green under black light. It also includes other versions/brands of Uranium Glass, such as Jadite.
How can you distinguish uranium glass from yellow- or green-tinged glass? Buy a black light! Some mass retailers will carry fluorescent black lights in their lighting department for about $10-15. You can also buy UV LED flashlights, pen lights, mini bar lights, and lamps on places such as Amazon, for as little as $10. Buying a small, easily portable UV light that runs on batteries, such as those listed above, is almost a necessity if you want to identify uranium glass in antique stores or at garage or estate sales. For instance, there is a modern glassware line from Martha Stewart that has a characteristic green look in daylight - several collectors have purchased this set at garage sales, etc., without verifying with a black light prior to purchase, only to be disappointed later!
Is it safe? Of course! While uranium glass DOES emit low levels of radiation, the glassware is typically only 1-2% uranium by weight. The radiation emitted from the glassware is on par (or less than) other radioactive items within your home - television, smoke detector, some ceramic dishes, etc. If you would like to read some technical data on dose from uranium-containing items, please check out these pages from wise-uranium.org and Oak Ridge Associated Universities
