Chalet ‘Firecrackers’ – uranium pieces

Uranium oxide, when suitably prepared, produces colours of great vividness. First used by artisans in pottery glazes and glass. Antique glass that contains uranium is often referred to as “Vaseline Glass”.  A nickname given in the 1920’s to pieces that glowed as there was a perceived resemblance to petroleum jelly.

 Commercial usage in Canada of uranium was off and on again up to 1968 - supply was determined most often by catastrophic world events. It was widely used before World War 1 and then banned but following World War 2, usage of uranium in civilian productions was again allowed. As a result, during the 1950’s, there was a great boom in uranium mining in Canada - we were and are the greatest producers of uranium in the world. However, due to the health and environmental risks associated with uranium and disposal of its waste, in 1963, the U.S and Great Britain declared a moratorium on widespread uranium use in civilian applications.  The risk to the workers was not only through inhalation and ingestion but through dermal contact and injury – something to which glassblowers are prone. Debate in Canada regarding these same issues began in 1967 and ended in 1969 with the same moratorium. France allowed civilian use of uranium until 1980 and, some countries, like China, still allow uranium use in the production of goods such as glassware.

Chalet Artistic Glass was registered with the American government’s Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System because of the company’s use of depleted uranium in some of its glass.

Some of the Chalet uranium displayed at the 2010 “Art & Artisans of Chalet Glass” show in Cornwall, Ontario. The Chalet artists were totally taken aback at these Chalet “firecrackers’ as they were totally unaware that they had worked with materials containing depleted uranium.

“Come On Baby Light my Fire” used with permission by the copyright holder. Artist - ‘The Doors’, 1968.

 Chalet stopped using uranium, along with several other ingredients, with the Canadian government ban. Therefore, we have a way to broadly date when the Chalet pieces containing uranium were produced – 1962-1969. EDAG also produced pieces which contain uranium. Of particular note – you will find EDAG aqua uranium pieces. To date, we have found no evidence that Lorraine Glass Industries produced pieces with uranium.

EDAG piece left foreground. Chalet basket right background.

A wide range of Chalet forms contain uranium. Most commonly – several different styles of ashtrays and baskets, ‘long arm’ stretches, fingertip platters and vases,  ‘crossed fingers’ and ‘4 spike’ centerpieces. There have also been found a very few aqua ‘crystal twist’ vases. Uranium is most prevalent in the orange and aqua pieces but it has also found in a few pieces of cranberry/green. It can be detected under UV light which causes the glass to fluoresce (emit visible light) green. Most often it glows with a brilliant radiance but sometimes pieces with a very high lead content will cast less of a glow. Here are just a few:

“Fire” uranium. The red rimming is from maganese.

“Ice” uranium. The aqua uranium is especially coveted by collectors.

The only uranium “twisted nubs” ashtray that we have found.

This set, etched ‘Chalet Canada’, contains so much uranium that it began glowing as I closed my car trunk - even without UV light

From the collection of member Marcus Wharton.

“Ice” uranium “fingertip” platters have also been found - see below.

Photo courtesy of 50 Shades member Brad McGillivray.

My own personal “fireworks” show.

I love my uranium displays.

To date, there have only been 4 pieces of Chalet cranberry uranium found with 3 being cranberry/green ashtrays of this style and 1 being a12-inch cranberry in crystal basket #13107.

Exceedingly rare cranberry and green uranium ashtray. You get just 2 tiny hints before testing with a UV light that this piece contains uranium. Firstly, it is a bit heavier than usual and secondly, the pooling of greenish colour in the base is very distinctive.

And this “Never say Never” glow!

From the collection of 50 Shades member Lisa Han Xiaohong.

And a very rare few animals and bonboniere. To see more, click the link.

This piece from the collection of 50 Shades member Jo Highland.

This was the first animal figurine found containing uranium. I had a “niggle” about this piece as it was a little heavy for its size and the 2-tone colouring seemed atypical. However, I was still not really expecting it to light up under UV.

Another Chalet animal figurine found containing uranium has also been a goose figurine - not a 2 tone but that this one contains uranium was not a surprise.

It’s a generational thing – I collect vintage glass with uranium, my son collects brand new shoes that light up. But at least we both like ‘things that glow in the dark’ !

The glass is from my personal collection. The “glow-in-the-dark” shoes are from my son’s.

You will find more detailed information and hundreds more photographs in both reference guides - ‘Chalet Crystal Clear’ and ‘The Chalet Artistic Glass Collectors’ Guide & Catalogue.’ Good luck hunting ‘Chalet firecrackers’ in the Wild! Finding one is a special thrill.