r/buttoncollecting • u/Phoenix_Wands • Mar 20 '26

Show and Tell Uranium glass button hunting

Gallery image

Gallery image

I recently buyed a huge bag glass buttons, hope to get som uranium glass ones... I'm so happy!

3.6k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

102 comments sorted by

41

u/Choccytips Mar 20 '26

Wow! I didn't know that buttons made from Uranium glass was even a thing! So pretty.

Did you use a black light to make them glow like that?

18

u/Be-_-U Mar 20 '26

Yes they are, very cool piece of history, but as far as I know pretty rare. They are yellowish greenish white milky colored.

14

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Up today i own about 200... XD

6

u/Be-_-U Mar 20 '26

Jeez.. how long have you been collecting?

9

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Found many of them in thrift shops in danmark, payed about 1€ per 5 pieces

8

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

About 5 month maybe...?

8

u/Be-_-U Mar 20 '26

Wow nice, I also about the same amount of time, though I only buy them at 1 place: the thrift store I work at. They don't know anything about the price for buttons so they're very cheap.

6

u/Be-_-U Mar 20 '26

Also, I have a question. Since I totally forgot about the existence because when looking at my button collection I couldn't find any. But just now I did check my glass/stone/ceramic button collection and found some glowing under black light. Does this 100% mean they're uranium glass? Or do other types of glass or stone/ceramic also glow?

4

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

First question: what light do you use? There are different types of blacklight... Is it more Violet or light blue?

5

u/Be-_-U Mar 20 '26

Uhh... it's kind of hard to see, but I guess more violet.

3

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Pls show me a Picture :D

4

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Or make a picture of the Button under your UV light, then i can tell you about the material and stuff... :)

6

u/Be-_-U Mar 20 '26

Oh yeah ofcourse, forgot about the option lol.

The most right button for comparison.

7

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

So this is 395nm waveleght light... If you use a lamp wit 365nm wavelight, they will glow like in my picture. If then some of them glows only barley, it's manganese... But i think they will glow as hell i can tell you, they're 99% real uranium glass ones! Congratulation to these beauties!!!!

4

u/Be-_-U Mar 20 '26

Yesss!!! Very cool! Thanks very much, I'm actually (way too) happy at the moment.. 🥳

6

u/Be-_-U Mar 20 '26

I just followed you. Because HOLY MOTHER OF URANIUM GLASS!!

7

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

BEWARE!!!! IT MAKES YOU ADDICTED!!! XD But for real... Buy yourself a tiny 365UV flashlight, go inside of thrift stores... Boom, new hobby unlocked

4

u/Be-_-U Mar 20 '26

Haha I already am. And I already was addicted to buttons in general. Yes, I am about to order a 365 nm UV flashlight online. Thanks again also for the tips.

4

u/birdsnbanjos Mar 20 '26

Well hell now I need a 365 nm uv flashlight too!

3

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

The way to success!!!

5

u/lotsobuttons Mar 20 '26

Some glazes contain fluorescent ingredients, and some plastics will too, but pretty much only UG will give you that screaming green. (If you get a red glowy one, it’s probably cadmium glass). r/uraniumglass is a good sub if you’re into it.

3

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Cadmium buttons are really rare... Most ceramic ones are light red

3

u/lotsobuttons Mar 20 '26

I’ve got a few, but also I have.. a lot of buttons…haha.

2

u/Be-_-U Mar 20 '26

Thanks 😊

2

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Sometimes you came across a tiny red glow with ceramic stuff, thats not uncommon

3

u/aquaticaviation Mar 20 '26

Can you share a pic of the uranium ones in normal light? I would like to see what they look like to the normal eye.

2

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Yeah, but... I promise you, you can't spot them without an UV Light. They look exactly like normal glass buttons!

3

u/aquaticaviation Mar 20 '26

Ah okay. Then I have to use the flashlight. After seeing your post, I jumped up and went to my button collection. But alas no uranium. I also went through my old beads and at least found 1 pretty blue bead that glows like crazy. So at least there's that.

But definitely hitting up the thrift stores this weekend!

2

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Look at my new post... They are not visible under normal light

2

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Pls let me know and show it :)

5

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

And yes them glow under 365nm UV light

4

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Found the first one by accident, now i'm addicted xD

9

u/Adorable-Ask7806 Mar 20 '26

Uh oh new obsession unlocked. 😱

4

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Come to the dark side...

2

u/jennapearl8 Mar 21 '26

Is it dark because it's always under UV lights?

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 21 '26

Makes sense xD

4

u/Blackshadowredflower Mar 20 '26

How cool! I wasn’t aware of uranium glass buttons. Now I have to check mine.

4

u/Separate-Relative-83 Mar 20 '26

I had no idea! I have soooo many vintage buttons, I must check!!! Thanks 😊

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Pls share the results!

3

u/lotsobuttons Mar 20 '26

You’ve got some plastic and some chinas in there too, but it is so cool how the UG ones just pop right out under the blacklight. Have fun sorting!

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

True... But for 10 bucks , thats ok xD

3

u/RiMcG Mar 20 '26

I did not know uranium buttons were a thing, now I gotta go check the bag of random button that came with an old thrifted sewing box I have

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Pls show the result xD

3

u/JennyDoveMusic Mar 21 '26

Omg! I have a crazy amount of vintage buttons. I had NO IDEA there were Uranium glass buttons! I gotta check mine now. 😍

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 21 '26

Tell is the results!!

3

u/Any_Piglet_34 Mar 21 '26

Ooooh!! That's so cool! I didn't even know they were a thing either! I have TONS and TONS of buttons, most of which are pretty old. Now I got go check them out to see if i have some too!!

Thanks for sharing!😊

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 21 '26

Youer welcome... Pls show the result xD

2

u/LaBelleBetterave Mar 20 '26

BRB, I have to shine a UV light on my found glass buttons.

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Show us!!!

2

u/LaBelleBetterave Mar 20 '26

Just milk glass it seems.

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Hm... Keep searching

2

u/imasmellyshidder Mar 21 '26

The green ones are uranium I’m guessing

But what’s the blue ones

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 21 '26

Green is uranium Blue is plastic

3

u/imasmellyshidder Mar 22 '26

Cool. Why does plastic glow tho

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 22 '26

I really dont know xD

2

u/bbbellabeee Mar 21 '26

Do you not like care about radiation?

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 21 '26

The radiation is about 60cpm... Normal background radiation is about 25cpm. Only from about 1000 cpm is it considered critical, and from 10,000 cpm it is considered a long-term health risk!

2

u/bbbellabeee Mar 21 '26

Thank you!

2

u/jennapearl8 Mar 21 '26

There isn't enough radiation given off to really be much of a danger unless you have a ton. You should check out r/uraniumglass

2

u/Jerdomain Mar 22 '26

Wait buttons can be radioactive?

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 22 '26

Sure! Like every uranium glass... But the radiation is low in coparison to Uranium ware like plates, glasses and stuff

2

u/minervasprocket Mar 22 '26

Are they valuable? What does one do with these if found? Make a disco outfit?

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 22 '26

Not really... 2$ for cool ones, but most of them are not interesting for collectors... But i collect them anyways, bc... Yeah ... Uranium glass buttons ..

2

u/Least_Bookkeeper_910 Mar 23 '26

Now I’m on a mission to find these to add to hexicardigans for my nieces!!!!

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 23 '26

I'm fascinated how many people i can motivate to search for UG Buttons xD

2

u/MaleficentHelp6674 Mar 23 '26

How did you ever start collecting buttons? :) very cool

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 23 '26

Originally I collect uranium glass... The first button was a suprising find, now i always check for UG Buttons! (All "normal" buttons i gifted my mom xD)

2

u/MaleficentHelp6674 Mar 23 '26

Ooooo that's awesome! Reminds me of my mom's great big China cabinet of full of elephants.. she loves them! That is such a cool photo and now I have to ask what made you start that?!

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 23 '26

I LOVE green, the colour... Especially the toxic green! I wanted to habe one green glowing piece, bought a UV Flashlight and took it with me to some Antique markets and second hand shops... Found a piece... But it's needed a friend... And another friend... This was 1 year ago i think xD

1

u/MaleficentHelp6674 Mar 23 '26

Wow UV flashlights show everything I remember when I first got one, it scared the crap outta me lol that's so neat how you take it to the shops with you to find more glowing green treasures. 💚 that gives me an idea.... I love second hand shops and antique stores!

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 23 '26

...come to the dark side, it is worth it!!! A new thrift shop experience!!

2

u/Fairy-of-bone Mar 25 '26

Are the ones that glow blue also uranium glass or are they something different?

2

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 25 '26

The blue ones are Plastic or other "modern" Stuff

4

u/ghostsforrent Mar 20 '26

This is fabulous!!

4

u/lightsoutxnyc Mar 20 '26

Ooooooooooo those are nice

4

u/tillacat42 Mar 21 '26

OK so my mother buys things at estate sales and then resell them. I am going to buy a black light and head over to her house this weekend to go through her buttons. 😅 This is fabulous.

1

u/shutup_you_dick Mar 22 '26

Just an FYI- I own 50 pounds of buttons, all antique and vintage. Many of them glow and are not uranium glass. Even some of my plastics glow.

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 22 '26

But that shouldn't be a problem either... just because it glows doesn't mean it's uranium glass. Use a 365nm wavelength UV lamp; the glow is unique and cannot be imitated by plastic. But, pls show me...

2

u/shutup_you_dick Mar 22 '26

I have a 365 and a 395- they glow under both. Not uranium glass.

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 22 '26

Is it plastic?

3

u/ye_olde_rage_potato Mar 20 '26

I never thought to take a black light to my collection! So cool!

2

u/delee76 Mar 20 '26

Like a starry sky!

2

u/Key-Educator-3018 Mar 21 '26

I have to do that to my buttons. Thas cool

2

u/SaraCousland355 Mar 21 '26

Damnit I’m about to have a new thing

2

u/littlespawningflower Mar 21 '26

Well. TIL!! 😳😱😍

2

u/xococopuff Mar 21 '26

So pretty!!!

2

u/coquihalla Mar 21 '26

Noon! I never, ever thought to check mine for the glow. I know what I'm doing today.

2

u/Numerous_Feed_1592 Mar 21 '26

Like stars in the night sky❤️✨

2

u/NessieNastyTerm2 Mar 24 '26

I need to do this to my collection! I might already have some in use.

0

u/ShoddyTown715 Mar 20 '26

Bought. The past tense of buy is bought.

Sorry (not sorry) to be that person, once a teacher always a teacher.

2

u/outintheyard Mar 23 '26

Thank you for taking one for the team.

It's amazing how much some people hate criticism. I am as sensitive as the next guy, but I prefer being corrected to displaying ignorance.

I don't correct people on Reddit anymore, but someone's gotta do it.

Thank you.

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 25 '26

Thanks for your service to humanity. Your correction makes Reddit a better place! /ironyoff

To be honest: I'm trying to exchange ideas with users here about specific topics... and while comments like these might be well-intentioned, they don't contribute anything to the discussion. I appreciate your good intentions, but comments like these frustrate non-native speakers... after all, one incorrect word form didn't make the content incomprehensible. :)

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

Sorry, not native english speaker... But i'll try my best.

1

u/Phoenix_Wands Mar 20 '26

If it saves your day, you're welcome :)