Uranium & Manganese Glass

Uranium glass and manganese glass are collectible types of colored glass known for their distinctive fluorescence under ultraviolet (UV) light. Uranium glass, often called Vaseline glass because of its yellow-green color, contains a small amount of uranium oxide that makes it glow bright green under a blacklight. It was commonly produced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for items such as tableware, bottles, beads, and decorative pieces. Manganese glass contains manganese dioxide, typically added to clarify glass or create subtle purple, pink, or clear tones. Under UV light, it may glow soft green, yellow-green, or orange, depending on the glass composition and the wavelength of the light. While both types are generally safe to handle and display, collectors should avoid using damaged vintage glass for food or drink and should identify pieces carefully, as fluorescence alone does not always confirm a glass type.