Did you know we have an incredible display of uranium glass in our inventory? Sometimes called Vaseline glass because of its translucence, you do not know it is uranium glass until you shine a black light on it. At that moment, it lights up like magic.
An original piece of uranium glass was found in an ancient Roman tile mosaic, but this is thought to be simply a happy accident. The first time uranium glass was intentionally created, was in 1789 by a German chemist, Martin Heinrich Klaproth. Uranium was added to the glass in its oxide diuranate form, specifically for making jewelry. In the 1830’s Josef Reidel who lived in Bohemia, began routinely adding uranium to his handmade beads for its coloration effect. In the early 1900’s the Neiger brothers, Norbert and Max, were known for some of the most beautiful uranium glass jewelry ever created. They were heavily influenced by the discovery of Tutenkhamen’s tomb, and the world of Chinoiserie, Japonism, and East Indian works of art. Their pieces are an unusual find on the market today, and rarely signed, but powerful reminders that the sleepy town of Jablonec in what was once Bohemia, was the undisputed jewelry capitol of the world.
Many companies in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s began using uranium in their jewelry production, including the Ostby Barton company. Today uranium glass is still being manufactured in the Czech Republic in the tradition of jewelry making from nearly 200 years ago. It is perfectly safe to wear, but prepare to be the ‘belle of the ball’ at the disco!