Comments on: Magnificent Obsessions: Vaseline Glass

Magnificent Obsessions: Vaseline Glass

quonsar — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 16:49:42 -0800

is a particular color of yellow-green glass that is made by adding 2% Uranium Dioxide to the ingredients when the glass formula is made. The addition of the Uranium Dioxide makes the glass color yellow-green. A 'magnificent obsession' site crammed with images and information on art glass, novelties, collector themes, and manufacturers.

By: MrBaliHai

MrBaliHai — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 17:24:37 -0800

Yikes! I'm not sure that I want to stand too close to that stuff without some lead shielding in between.

By: raygirvan

raygirvan — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 17:27:12 -0800

Wonderful stuff; I have a certain amount of it around. Their explanation about the UV tickling the uranium atoms is almost sensible compared to some you see: fluorescence of uranium glass: "The high energy emissions of electrons from the black light cause the uranium oxide particles in the vaseline glass to become unstable thereby causing this fluorescense ... the coloring agent used in glass is not the unstable and radioactive element uranium, but the more stable compound URANIUM DIOXIDE". I also collected a few links a while back: Ken Tomabechi's Uranium Glass Gallery; the Glass Museum; 1st.Glass; The romantic nature of uranium glass; and Uranium doped marbles (these are always cropping up on eBay). And there's Jack Vance's The Potters of Firsk.

By: kickingtheground

kickingtheground — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 17:41:49 -0800

From raygirvan's sixth link (of seven):

By: Raymond Marble

Raymond Marble — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 17:42:24 -0800

VG has been my obsession for the past two years or so. It probably has something to do with the thrill of the hunt coupled with running around with a black light.

By: madamjujujive

madamjujujive — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 17:48:33 -0800

wowie...cool link q! And great follow-on links from raygirvan - thanks!

By: wendell

wendell — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 20:27:11 -0800

good post, q... never thought I'd ever see quonsar do a link to anything "vaseline" that was actually Safe For Work...

By: dg

dg — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 20:48:51 -0800

Cool link - while almost all of the pieces are ugly beyond description (my opinion only, of course), the concept of glassware that glows under a black light is neat.

By: brownpau

brownpau — Tue, 30 Sep 2003 21:25:03 -0800

Ever since I found out about Fiestaware's uranium glaze I've tried to avoid their dinnerware at Hecht's. Yeah, they probably haven't used the stuff since the 60's, but no way my genitals are getting near any of those bright orange soup bowls.

By: madamjujujive

madamjujujive — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 01:38:13 -0800

Um, brownpau, according to my copy of emily post, your genitals aren't supposed to be anywhere near the soup bowls.

By: walrus

walrus — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 03:08:41 -0800

That's truly great stuff. Everyone should have more Uranium. Although that eyebrow geezer is now going to haunt my entire morning, making me chortle at inappropriate work moments. I came into this post thinking "all very well, but where's the blort?" Oh me of little faith.

By: Oriole Adams

Oriole Adams — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 05:46:37 -0800

LOL, Raymond....my mother-in-law has been collecting VG for years, and she has a small, battery-operated ultra-violet lamp she takes with her in her purse. I agree, the stuff is ugly as sin, but it makes for a neat display in a china cabinet illuminated with UV light.