What does the color of Mason Jar glass mean?
Like other types of antique and vintage glass, color can indicate the year of production. Most vintage Mason Jar glass was made in deeper aqua blue or “Ball Blue”. The sand used to make the “Ball Blue” color was from the Hoosier Slide sand dune on Lake Michigan.
What is the rarest color of Mason jars?
Mason jars were manufactured in many different colors, including clear, pale blue, yellow, amber, olive and various other greens. (In the early 1900s, people thought darker glass helped prevent food from spoiling as quickly.) The rarest of the jar colors are green and have been known to fetch upwards of $300 per jar—that’s incredible!
How old are the mason jars your grandma used?
For example, this Ball Mason jar with the phrase “perfect” on the bottom is approximately from 1913-1922. You can now buy the vintage Mason jars your grandma used. Mason jars were manufactured in many different colors, including clear, pale blue, yellow, amber, olive and various other greens.
When was the first mason jar made?
In 1858, a 26-year-old Mason patented threaded screw-top jars “such as are intended to be air and water-tight.” The earliest mason jars were made from transparent aqua glass, and are often referred to by collectors as “ Crowleytown Jars ,” as many believe they were first produced in the New Jersey village of Crowleytown.
Who invented the Mason Jar?
How to date old fruit jars?
What does the number on the bottom of a ball jar mean?
Is a blue mason jar rare?
Is blue ball glass rare?
Who is the author of the Collector's Guide to Old Fruit Jars?
Is Ball canning lids BPA free?
See 4 more
About this website
How do you date a blue mason jar?
If you have a Ball jar, you can date most of them just by looking at the logo. Every few years, the Ball Manufacturing Co changed the logo and if you compare yours to a reliable chart, you know how old it is.
Are blue mason jars rare?
Ball jars were made in various colors, but the blue and clear colors are the most common.
Why were old mason jars blue?
Feeling Blue Those blue mason jars were mass produced until 1937 using sand from around Lake Michigan. It was that sand that gave the glass its blue hue.
Can you use old blue mason jars?
Blue, green and purple jars have been made for home food preservation. However, there are other colored jars, such as yellow, available for craft projects, but are not recommended for food preservation.
Which Mason jars are worth the most money?
The most valuable mason jars are:Van Vliet Improved Jar, $23,500.Black Amber Magic Star Fruit Jar, $3,000. ... 1933 Ball Upside Down Error Jar, $1,000. There are two types of Ball upside-down Mason jars. ... The 1870 Chief Mason Jar, $800. (Photo: gregspurgeon.com) ... 1858 Willoughby Stopple Jar, $500. (Photo: hoosierjar.com) ...
What do the numbers mean on the bottom of blue Mason jars?
Many Ball mason jars have a number printed on the bottom of the jar, but this is a mold number that does not indicate the year of production. Rather, the mold number tells you where the jar was positioned on the glass-making machine that was used to produce it.
How do I know if my Ball jars are vintage?
Some helpful notes to keep in mind:Not every jar has their manufacture date on the glass, but most have the patent date. ... There will be a large number on the bottom of your jar. ... These charts tell you the approximate decade in which your Ball jar was made.More items...•
How can you tell how old a Ball jar is?
Some keywords on the jar can provide a clue about the approximate age.Improved: 1890s, 1900-1933.Special: 1910-1913.Perfect: 1913-1922.Sanitary: 1913-1915.Ideal: 1915-1962.Eclipse: 1920s-1960s.
What colors do mason jars come in?
Each mason jar is made from high-quality stained glass in a variety of different colors. These colors include purple, green, pink, blue, amber, red and clear.
Is it safe to store food in old Mason jars?
Glass jars are a surprisingly good container for packaging dry goods such as; wheat, white rice, rolled oats, sugar, salt, and corn in your long term food storage. The great advantage of using glass is that it creates a true oxygen and moisture barrier. Also, glass does not leach toxins into the food.
What is a ball perfect Mason jar worth?
An antique Ball brand perfect Mason jar sold on eBay for about $80, likely because its deep olive green color is relatively rare. According to Country Living, an upside-down Ball canning jar designed to rest on its lid is relatively rare and made between 1900 and 1910. It's valued at about $1,000.
Do Mason jars have Lead in them?
Almost all of the newer Ball Jars that I have tested have tested NEGATIVE for Lead or Cadmium. These levels found here in this jar that I tested (picture below) are trace/ very low/ negligible and are not likely to be leaching at all. Newer clear glass is still likely the best thing to store your food in.
Are Mason jars worth any money?
Nowadays, you can even buy a big flat of Mason jars for pretty cheap at your local craft or household goods store — but the older ones can fetch much higher prices. Typically, the smaller or more common antique jars can go for about $20 apiece, but the more rare versions can sell for as much as $300.
What is a ball perfect Mason jar worth?
An antique Ball brand perfect Mason jar sold on eBay for about $80, likely because its deep olive green color is relatively rare. According to Country Living, an upside-down Ball canning jar designed to rest on its lid is relatively rare and made between 1900 and 1910. It's valued at about $1,000.
What are Kerr Mason jars worth?
Collectors covet Mason jars, especially the rare ones. The 1881 Van Vliet is the most expensive brand ever sold at $23,50o, with a starting bid of $1,000. The cheapest is the Self-sealing jar by Kerr at $40 (you'll get half-price for a lost lid.) and E-Z Seal by Atlas at $60.
What are Atlas Mason jars worth?
Atlas mason jar values vary between $10 to around $60 depending on a number of factors including the age, color, and condition. The older amber-colored E-Z Seal Atlas mason jars, which were made around 1910, are among the more valuable.
how to date your ball jar – Antique Candle Co.
In 1880, the five Ball brothers used a $200 loan from their uncle to start a business manufacturing tin cans for products such as paint and kerosene. Then, in 1884, the brothers switched to glass home-canning jars and created the household name that we still know and love today. 🥰 Ball jars are classic vintage pieces that add so much class to every room! Not only are they beautiful as ...
History and Timeline - Ball
1880. In 1880, Frank C. and Edmund B. Ball, two of the five Ball brothers, borrowed $200 from their uncle, George Harvey Ball, founder and first president of Keuka College, to buy the Wooden Jacket Can Company, a small manufacturing business in Buffalo, New York.
How long did Mason Jars last?
After 20 years, Mason’s designs became public knowledge, and manufacturers had free reign to use them. Because competitors produced most Mason jars after his patent expired in 1879, Mason never achieved wealth, and sadly, lived meagerly until his death in 1902.
Who invented the Mason Jar?
John Landis Mason invented the Mason Jar on November 30, 1858. In 1884, Ball Corporation began manufacturing glass home-canning jars, the product that established Ball as a household name and licensed Mason's design.
What is the spirit of the jar?
The Spirit of the Jar Lives On. Despite Mason’s death, inventors and entrepreneurs continued to make improvements to his jar and lid design. One of the most notable contemporary improvements to his legacy design is reCAP Mason Jars’ variety of lids.
What can you put in a 16 oz recap jar?
Be sure to check out this reCAP Mason Jars best-seller. This beautiful 16-ounce jar complemented with a POUR cap is ideal for on-the-go drinks such as water, tea, smoothies, and milkshakes! Or you can organize pantry items like grains, cereals, and rice. Check it out here: reCAP Mason Jars POUR Lid.
Why are mason jars important?
Because of the Mason Jar’s simple charm, it’s easy to overlook the profound impact it has had on our culture. In many ways, it’s transcended its original purpose as a mere a means of food preservation. Whether they’re used for party cocktails or eco-friendly pack n’ go containers, it’s clear that Mason jars have made a lasting impression on our culture.
What is the Ball Mason Jar?
Ironically, while the Ball Mason jar is one of the more iconic products of all time, few people know the history behind the ageless invention.
When did the recap lid come out?
Originally launched as a Kickstarter campaign in 2011, the reCAP Mason Jar Lid offers a contemporary upgrade to John Mason’s two-piece lid system (Rzepecki). Before this design, there were no single-piece, airtight, plastic storage lids available for Mason Jars.
When were mason jars available?
With mason jars readily available in the late 19th century, Americans were able to eat a much wider variety of fruits and vegetables year-round. This brought “great improvement in nutritional health,” writes Alice Ross in The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink, first published in 2004.
When were Mason Jars invented?
In 1858 , a 26-year-old Mason patented threaded screw-top jars “such as are intended to be air and water-tight.”. The earliest mason jars were made from transparent aqua glass, and are often referred to by collectors as “ Crowleytown Jars ,” as many believe they were first produced in the New Jersey village of Crowleytown.
Why are mason jars so popular?
“Mason jars are still popular because they're both useful and beautiful ,” says McClellan, who works with the Ball brand as a “canning ambassador.” “Whether you use them for canning, dry good storage, drinking glasses, or just to hold pens on your desk, they are functional and pleasing.”
How did canning influence architecture?
The canning phenomenon even influenced home architecture. So-called “ summer kitchens ” became increasingly popular as women spent weeks at the end of summer “putting up” fruits and vegetables for winter. The freestanding structures let the main house stay cool during the long canning season.
What colors are Ball mason jars?
You can find antique jars in shades of pink, cobalt, aqua, amber and violet. Collectors have paid up to $1,000 for the rare “upside-down” Ball jar, produced between 1900 and 1910 and designed to rest on its lid.
What was the name of the jam that Rorer made?
Some of Rorer’s recipes—preserved citron, rhubarb jam, chilli vinegar—would be right at home in any contemporary farmer’s market, while others—“mock olives” (made with plums), walnut catsup, peaches stuffed with horseradish and sewn shut with thread—were products of their time.
Who makes Ball canning jars?
These days, the Ball Corporation no longer makes its iconic canning jars—they’re actually produced under the name Ball by Newell Brands. In a very 21st century touch, Ball jars have their own Instagram, full of recipes for the modern home canner: tomato bruschetta topping, pineapple-jalapeno relish, caramel apple coffee jam.
What is the year of a mason jar?
For example, this Ball Mason jar with the phrase “perfect” on the bottom is approximately from 1913-1922.
How Much Is Your Ball Jar Worth?
Some have already sold for as much as $54, like this pale blue wire lock Mason jar from the early 1900s. Some even have logo “misprints,” such as this Ball jar that has three Ls on the front. Overall, it seems the early 1900s jars fetch more than the most recent years, as expected.
What inspired me to make jams and jellies?
Watching my grandmother can hundreds of jars of tomatoes, peaches and pears inspired me to try making jams and jellies myself. I can remember going down into her cellar as a girl—all those jars on the shelves gave me such a warm, homey feeling! My family enjoys this jam on warm corn muffins, or blueberry. The cinnamon's a bit of a surprise. —Barbara Burns, Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Can you buy a mason jar from your grandma?
You can now buy the vintage Mas on jars your grandma used .
Can you use a mason jar lid for canning?
They’ve been around for 100+ years and are still going strong! Not only do they have a beautiful, timeless design, but they can even help save the world. You can even use a Mason jar lid to make the perfect breakfast sandwich.
Who invented the mason jar?
But in 1858, an inventor and tin smith from New York City, John L. Mason, invented the mason jar. He invented a machine that could cut threads into lids, which made it practical to manufacture a jar with a reusable, screw-on, lid.
When was the Mason jar patent issued?
Embossing - Many canning jars were embossed with the Mason patent date, November 30, 1858. Unusuall embossing designs and misspellings add to the value. Closures - The common ring and lid used today wasn't always the standard.
What are Ball Jars, Kerr Jars, Mason Jars?
Napoleon is often credited with the invention of modern canning: in 1795 the French military offered a cash prize of 12,000 francs for a new method to preserve food. Nicolas Appert suggested canning and the process was first proven in 1806. Until 1858, canning jars used a glass jar, a tin flat lid, and sealing wax, which was not reusable and messy!
Why are jars called lightning jars?
These "Lightning jars" became popular because no metal (which could rust, breaking the seal or contaminating the food) contacted the food and the metal clamps made the lids themselves easier to seal and remove ( hence the "Lightning" name) .
Why was Muncie chosen as the city for the production of fruit jars?
Muncie (where a supply of natural gas had been discovered) was chosen because the city was offering free gas and land to rebuild the factory. began manufacturing fruit jars in 1884 in Buffalo, New York. The Balls began acquiring smaller companies, and mass producing and distributing jars across the country.
When were canning jars made?
There are no dates of manufacture on canning jars, any dates on them refer to patents which are unrelated. But, you can check the logo, which changed fairly frequently until 1962. There USED TO BE a page on the Minnetrista website provides much more information and photos of the logos to help you, BUT THEY APPEAR TO HAVE REMOVED IT .. Ask them why, maybe they will restore it!
What are the marks on a glass jar?
Pontil marks (a lump of glass - see photo at right, where the glass blower attached to the molten glass) and indented rings found in the bottom of the jar. These are usually be found on jars made before 1858. Seams along the entire side , from bottom to top, mean the jar was made by a machine, probably after 1915.
Who invented the Mason Jar?
A Quick History Lesson. The Mason jar was first invented by John Landis Mason. He created and patented a glass jar to be used in home canning and food preservation. That was back in 1858.
How to date old fruit jars?
To date your jars, be sure to pick up a book by Douglas M. Leyboune called The Collector’s Guide to Old Fruit Jars. There are several editions to the book. Jar prices in the book do tend to go up and down according to collector demand. However, the people who make Ball ® mason jars and canning supplies say this is the definitive guide.
What does the number on the bottom of a ball jar mean?
Ever notice the large number at the bottom of some older Ball ® jars? Those numbers don’t correspond with a manufacturing date, but rather the mold number. However, because those mold makers are no longer in business, nobody knows what those mold numbers represent.
Is a blue mason jar rare?
Those blue jars are not rare. However, if you find a mason jar that reads BBGMCo. on the side, you could have a very rare jar. Those mason jars were produced in clear, aqua, and amber colors. However, only four amber-colored jars were ever made, making it one of the rarest jars in the world.
Is blue ball glass rare?
It was that sand that gave the glass its blue hue. Those blue jars are not rare. However, if you find a mason jar that reads BBGMCo. on the side, you could have a very rare jar. Those mason jars were produced in clear, aqua, and amber colors. However, only four amber-colored jars were ever made, making it one of the rarest jars in the world.
Who is the author of the Collector's Guide to Old Fruit Jars?
To date your jars, be sure to pick up a book by Douglas M. Leyboune called The Collector’s Guide to Old Fruit Jars. There are several editions to the book.
Is Ball canning lids BPA free?
Today’s canning supplies are manufactured with your time and health in mind, including Ball’s BPA-free lids. Sure, the process is the same as it was over 100 years ago, but now we have pressure canners, Ball FreshTech Electric Water Bath Canner + MultiCookers, automatic jam and jelly makers, as well as produce protector, pectin, jar labels, lids, and jars in every shape and size imaginable.
