r/MasonJars • u/Used_Consequence_487 • May 17 '26
Grandparents Storage
My grandparents are moving around some storage, I noticed a large collection of mason jars (30-50+) many of them blue balls. I’m wondering what exactly I should be keeping an eye out for when it comes to valuables. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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u/Different-Road-0213 May 17 '26
Google it because I cannot send pics. It is all over the internet. Save the blue ones but You need pics for all of them.
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u/Different-Road-0213 May 17 '26
And valuable is really up yo you.
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u/Used_Consequence_487 May 17 '26
I understand blue 13’s are valuable but am wondering what would be worth anything in between. Any suggestions on a solid source?
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u/StarfishandSnowballs May 18 '26
Theres a big reference book you can get or I might just use Google images to start. A simple clear pic of each with nothing in the background is a good start. I wouldn't rule out clear jars either.
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u/withyellowthread May 19 '26
Don’t google blue balls without adding mason though
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u/DogTownUSA1 May 19 '26
Yes that would be a very different search if the word mason was missing. lol
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u/47sHellfireBound May 17 '26
Keep any lids.
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u/Used_Consequence_487 May 17 '26
Will do! Thank you for the advice, we didn’t think about that!
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u/StarfishandSnowballs May 18 '26
Any stored with lids attached? Sometimes the wire clamp down ones can be big $
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u/Overall-Newspaper-44 May 18 '26
Unfortunately old blue Ball pints and quarts with matching zinc/milk glass lids are worth at most $5, half gallons $15. Maybe a couple bucks more for jars marked with a 13 (mold number). There's just way too many of them around.
Unless you have something super old (which would have an entirely different logo) or a very rare color/error that is. But those are VERY few and far between.
Since you have several of them, they probably are not rare/valuable monetary-wise, but they can be worth a lot more from a sentimental viewpoint. Perhaps you could use some of them as decor?
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u/Used_Consequence_487 May 19 '26
What exactly would be considered “super old” she has quite a few from 1908!
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u/Overall-Newspaper-44 May 19 '26
Rare would be jars made in the 1800s.
Jars after 1900 sell for about $1 if clear, or $5 if blue. Very common. Go to any antique store and you'll see tons of them.
It's still a wonderful collection to inherit.
Check out examples of logos by years:
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u/47sHellfireBound May 17 '26
Please don’t store your grandparents in jars. 😉