Topic: URANIUM IN GLASS

[Carolyn Preston]

There have been quite a few comments about uranium in glass. And so, newbie that I am, I have a few questions...(I asked them in a previous post and somebody suggested that I start a new topic).

1.  Why do we care if there is uranium in glass:?:
2.  Is it like having lead in crystal, thereby increasing the value of the glass :?:
?
3.  How do you tell if there is uranium in glass :?:

4.  Is it good or bad to have uranium in glass :?:


and, on a slightly different topic

5.  Were the Murano glass manufacturers in production during the years of the second world war :?:

Thanks for all your help.   :?


Carolyn

[aa]

(I asked them in a previous post and somebody suggested that I start a new topic).

Hi Carolyn, I think the suggestion was that you might get more specific replies in the Glass forum, rather than Murano. The people who really know about this stuff are more likely to be there!

[Anne]

Carolyn, there are two excellent website I can refer you to to have a look at, both of which will give you an excellent overview of uranium/vaseline glass from the perspectives of both sides of the Atlantic (and there are slight differences - just to add interest!  :lol: )
UK: http://www.1st-glass.1st-things.com/vaselineglass.html
US: http://www.vaselineglass.org/
Can I suggest you have a look through them as they will probably explain better than we can do here, and then if there's anything you're not sure of or want more clarification on, to come and ask specific questions - as you did above.

[Carolyn Preston]

Okay, I've read through Anne's links (Thanks Anne :!:  :!:  :!: )

So is it safe to assume that if it was made in Murano, it is not vaseline glass? I've looked through all the pictures and cannot find anything like my colouration. And on the geiger result page, there is nothing made in Italy.

And just where does one find a blacklight? (This not being the '70's anymore  )

(And sorry, I don't know how to change forums :oops:  )

Carolyn

[Anne]

Carolyn, don't worry -  you can't move the thread,  it has to be the forum moderator who does that - in this forum that is either Javier or Frank.

Now, a blacklight... I bought mine in a £1 shop - one of those places that sells everything for £1. It has an invisible ink pen and a small UV torch built in - intended for kids to write secret messages with that only someone with a UV light can read, but it's very handy as it slips into a bag or pocket and shows up UV glass when shone on it.  It also doubles up as a security marker pen - mark your glass with the pen end and see it with the UV end... neat! I think stationers also sell the security pens, and I know that UV torches and bulbs/striplights are available from Maplins - search for blacklight.

Murano and uranium glass... yes, it was (possibly still is, I don't know) used on Murano, but from what I have seen - and I'm by no means well-up on this at all - it was used in conjunction with non-UV glass e.g. as a casing over a coloured layer as in Chuggy's ewer which prompted your original question.  I've never seen anything from Murano which is made wholly from uranium glass but that's not to say it wasn't made... as I said I'm not an expert on Murano by a *long* way!

Uranium glass was made in the UK and in Europe (no idea if it still is), and is still made in the USA by glassblowers such as Jack Loranger. The UK and European production I have seen has been pressed glass like that on the 1st.Glassman site - I really do not know if it was used for other types of glass production.

I hope we can get this thread moved over to Glass soon as there are users who are more clued up on uranium glass than I am who will be able to add more for you, I'm sure.

[Carolyn Preston]

Now, a blacklight... I bought mine in a £1 shop - one of those places that sells everything for £1.

Ah yes, our current version of the five and dime. In Canada we affectionately call them looney stores. I will check it out next weekend.

it was used in conjunction with non-UV glass e.g. as a casing over a coloured layer

Well I do have various levels of glass in my bowl, so I'm thinking it is possible, but it looks like it is clear on both sides. This $40 purchase in turning into a huge education. Much cheaper than our local university    (where I'm a graduate student).

Carolyn

[Max]

You can buy UV light related stuff (keyrings/penlights etc) very cheaply on eBay Canada Carolyn, in case you can't find one in the five & dime.

Have we seen a photo of this item yet?  A picture speaks a thousand words.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium_glass

[David E]

The best UV light I have features three ultra-bright LEDs and was bought on eBay from a guy in Hong Kong five days before Christmas, but still arrived on the 24th!

Warning about UV lights - do not use them excessively as they can harm your eyes later in life.
Never point them at skin or eyes. The low-level ones are probably OK, but I doubt mine is!

They can also be used to detect Cadmium* in glass (glows yellow), or Selenium (glows orange-pink).

* I believe this is useful in dating Cadmium in glass as it was stopped being used around c.1960?

[Anne]

Have we seen a photo of this item yet?  A picture speaks a thousand words.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium_glass

That's true Max... another picture of uranium glass illuminated with a black light is here in the album from the 1st Northern Glass fair at Harrogate (Oct 2005) - the green eerily glowing stuff at the back is uranium shown lit with a UV striplight: http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-322

[aa]

Carolyn, if you are in Calgary, do you know http://www.rubaiyatgallery.com/ ?