Does Jadeite Glow in the Dark?

Over the years, jadeite has been manufactured in many diverse configurations. Each jadeite configuration possesses unique properties that can cause it to respond to and appear differently when viewed in light or darkness.

Some, but not all, vintage jadeite pieces glow. Jadeite that glows was made by McKee or Jeannette Glass Company. These pieces glow because they were produced with uranium before WWII. Anchor Hocking produced jadeite, but their jadeite does not glow.

Keep reading for more information on vintage jadeite.

Vintage Green Jadeite Uranium Juicer $105 from B2BethsBlong on Etsy

Does all Vintage Jadeite Glow?

Not all vintage jadeite pieces glow. Before WWII, some jadeite was produced with small amounts of uranium and therefore would emit a bright glow under black light. After the war began, uranium was needed for weaponry, so uranium was no longer used.

The natural luminescence of jadeite varies. Some vintage jadeite pieces do not glow at all, while others are quite bright. It is generally agreed that pieces with a higher degree of transparency radiate more light.

Jeanette Jadeite Salt Pepper Flour Sugar Uranium Glass Shakers Set of 4 Vintage
Jeanette Jadeite Salt Pepper Flour Sugar Uranium Glass Shakers Set of 4 Vintage

Is Jadeite the Same as Uranium Glass?

No, they are not the same. Jadeite is a type of gemstone that is made up of different minerals, while uranium glass is a type of art glass that contains uranium oxide in its formula.

However, some types of jadeite made by McKee or Jeannette did include uranium in their composition, so those jadeite pieces could be considered a type of uranium glass.

The two materials have very different properties, so it’s easy to tell them apart. Jadeite is typically green in color and is always opaque, while uranium glass can be a variety of different colors, including green.

Check out our article on uranium glass identification for more information.

What is the Difference Between Jade and Jadeite?

The two stones are quite comparable, although there are a few key distinctions. Jade is somewhat softer than jadeite and has a green color, whereas jadeite is harder and has a brighter, greener hue. In addition, jadeite is more difficult to find than nephrite. Jadeite is also more valuable than jade.

How can you tell if jadeite is real?

Jadeite is a type of jade, a mineral that is usually green in color. Green jade is a crystalline mineral that contains iron and has a moderate to strong magnetic property. To test if it is real, you can use a magnet. Magnets will not stick to jadeite, while they will stick to other types of jade.

Who Made Jadeite Dishes That Glow? 

Jadeite dishes that glow under a black light contain small amounts of uranium. Those early jadeite pieces were made by either McKee or Jeannette.

Uranium Green Jade Glass Jadeite Jadite Soup Bowls $125.39 from Junxhop on Etsy
Uranium Green Jade Glass Jadeite Jadite Soup Bowls $125.39 from Junxhop on Etsy

What is uranium glass?

Uranium glass is a type of glass that includes uranium oxide in its composition. The presence of the uranium changes the color of the glass, causing it to glow green or yellow under ultraviolet light. Uranium glass was popular from the 1920s to the 1950s for use in art and decorative objects. It was made popular in the early 1900s but is not as popular today.

Uranium glass is a type of colored glass that was originally used to make nuclear fuel. Coloration is achieved by mixing uranium, usually in the oxide diuranate form, with a glass composition before melting.

Depending on the amount of uranium present, the color ranges from yellowish-green to black. Uranium glass was formerly quite popular because it had a unique color, but it is no longer made due to the dangers posed by the radiation emitted by the uranium.

Which is more popular – Uranium glass or Jadeite?

Uranium glass has been around for centuries, but it was not until the early 1900s that it became popular. Uranium glass was used to make jewelry, tableware, and other decorative items. It was also used in making radium-based paints.

Vintage Jeanette Jadeite Uranium Glass Ribbed Bud Vase
Vintage Jeanette Jadeite Uranium Glass Ribbed Bud Vase $33.30 from UncleTomsAttic on Etsy

The popularity of uranium glass declined after World War II. This was due to the development of nuclear weapons, which made people aware of the dangers of radioactivity. Today, uranium glass is not as popular as it once was. However, it is still used in some applications, such as making glow-in-the-dark paints.

What is special about uranium glass?

Uranium glasses are made from a radioactive material known as uranium oxide, which causes them to glow green in the dark. They were first produced in the 1700s and remain popular today. Small amounts of uranium have been used by glassmakers for hundreds of years to produce yellow or green glass. Because of the yellow tint of this glass, it was dubbed “canary glass.”

How is Vaseline Glass different from Uranium glass?

Vaseline glass is a type of uranium glass. It is transparent and yellow in color while not being exposed to black light, where it glows like other uranium glass. Since the 1840s, canary has been a name for this type of glass.

Vintage Mosser Vaseline Uranium Pressed Glass Miniature Water Pitcher and Six Matching Glasses with Inverted Peacock Pattern
Vintage Mosser Vaseline Uranium Pressed Glass Miniature Water Pitcher and Six Matching Glasses with Inverted Peacock Pattern $125 from GlowNShowAntiques on Etsy

It’s conceivable that the glass in your window was colored with chemicals other than uranium (e.g., cerium oxide), and it may resemble Vaseline glass. Because of thorium concentrations, this non-Vaseline glass can be radioactive, adding to the confusion!

What is Luminescent Jade?

Luminescent jades are a form of mineral that produces light. It may be found in all corners of the world, and its color varies with the region it is extracted from. Luminescent jade is a semiprecious stone made out of two minerals: jadeite and nephrite. Its colors range from green to white, and it is often found in jewelry.

Luminescent jadeite is a type of jade that contains small amounts of uranium. When exposed to black light, it will emit a bright glow. Luminescent jadeite was popularized in the early 1900s but is not as popular today.

Jade is a semi-precious gemstone that glows in the dark, and it has been used for millennia by many different civilizations for healing and spiritual reasons. It is considered a holy stone in China and is frequently given as a present to colleagues and family members. Luminescent jade is also popular throughout the Western world, where it is used in jewelry, sculptures, and as a decorative element in homes.

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