One of the best parts of browsing an antique mall is finding something you didn’t even know you were looking for. And if you’re the type of collector who cares about aesthetics and actually wants to use what you find, antique colored glassware is hard to beat. These pieces look great as décor and still work beautifully on the table. And of course, if you find a particularly rare piece, it might end up being just as valuable as it is beautiful.

Colored antique glassware spans everything from delicate Depression-era pieces to bold mid-century designs. Here are the types that serious collectors tend to watch for:

Depression glass

During the Great Depression, glassmakers moved from detailed crystal to more affordable molded glass, now called Depression glass. It came in colors like pink, green, amber, and even uranium glass that glows under UV light. Makers also produced ashtrays, candlesticks, and cigarette boxes aside from kitchenware.

Tip: Watch out for reproductions! Because Depression glass is so popular, many copies exist. If the color appears dull or the piece looks unusually flawless, ask the seller and verify its authenticity.

Carnival glass

Carnival glass is known for its vivid colors and shimmery oil-slick surface. Made using pressed or blown glass, it gets its trademark iridescence from metallic salts applied while the glass is still hot.

Tip: Common patterns in typical colors sell for a few dollars, but rare designs in limited shades can fetch thousands among collectors.

Vintage Fenton glass

Fenton glass was at one point the leading supplier of colored glassware in the United States. While clear glassware isn’t in high demand today, more intricate Fenton pieces (like pitchers, table lamps, or matching glass sets) are still quite popular with collectors.

Tip: Pay attention to the base and edge details. Genuine Fenton glass often features smooth, ruffled, crimped, or bracketed rims. The base might be flat or collared, and some pieces include spatula-style feet.

You won’t have a shortage of antique colored glassware to admire and take home at Pacific Antiques Mall! Stop by and see what rare pieces are waiting to be part of your collection.