Topic: Using the Black/UK lamp - hints and tips request etc.

[GlassIsGood]

Following my question in the other thread I've bought one of these black lights and have found all sorts of interesting things on bank notes and passports  :24:  So how much of a 'glow' I am looking for with the glass please?  I understand it's useful on lead crystal and uranium coloured objects - is it better to view the items in a dark room etc.

Also, this board has led me to think that I should more of an interest in things I'd normally not give a second glance to - some of the objects that you appear to get excited about seem a little dull and oddly decorated to the casual observer, but I keep reading the threads to try and get my eye in.  In terms of signatures and manufacturers are there any I should make myself aware of as I root round boot fairs (my favourite way to spend a morning) - i.e. the Clarice Cliffs and Derby's of the glass world.

Hope you don't mind me asking.

[Lustrousstone]

Lead crystal often gives a pale blue glow - not the violet of the coating on the lamp itself.

Uranium gives a really bright green glow. You can't always see it in bright sunlight but you don't need to go in the dark to see it.

Manganese gives a dull greenish yellow glow. You may need to be in the dark to see it.

Cadmium gives an orange glow.

Dave Peterson's website is a good place to look at uranium glass, but note that the US definition of vaseline glass is less broad than elsewhere.

Julie's site has some good glowing examples but

Julie, most of the glowing on your website is not due to uranium. It's caused by manganese decoloriser. Only the leech pot, the first hyacinth vase and the rose bowl contain uranium.

[Ohio]

"but note that the US definition of vaseline glass is less broad than elsewhere". Christine thats putting it politely. Last week I finished a small submission to a monthy glass magazine. While I won't go into details it derails several U.S. Vaseline organization's foundation difinition of what must be present for glass to be considered Vaseline. It effectively removes the vast majority of U.S. produced glass from 1920 to 1960 from consideration as being Vaseline per their own definitions, however I'm certain the organizations will simply modify their definitions. I will share a small segment:

"The European glass collecting community takes a much more sensible approach with their use of the term “Uranium” glass which encompasses reactive glass of all types, transparent & opaques including Custard, Burmese & several other colors found in glass from the mid 19th century through the 20th century."  Ken 

[Lustrousstone]

I like that Ken.  Mind you, I did notice that in some of the latest exhibition photos on Dave's website some members seem to have strayed to the green side. 

[ju1i3]

Yes, I'm going to update that page. Thanks for the info. I know more about it now   

[Lustrousstone]

 :thup: