Irradiated Glass

Old clear or milk glass can turn lavender from exposure to sun or amber, dark gray, dark purple, orange, pale blue or pink from being irradiated. The colors of most historic flasks, early bottles, insulators, Depression glass and Lalique are known and documented in books. Prices can be high for “rare” or “unlisted” colors. If buying these or other glass that was made before 1930, ask for a written description and history of the glass color and owners. The bad news is that serious collectors treat irradiated glass as fakes of little value. The good news is the glass is not radioactive.