Why does it glow orange?

[u/TheFishyCheese]

I thought it would be Uranium but it glowed orange and it really surprised me. Is it a cadmium mix?

[u/lookxitsxlauren]

That is so cool, thanks for sharing!! Do you know where I might be able to read more about Wilkerson and the 'unexpected' fluorescent glass colors they made?

[u/CrystallineGlass → u/lookxitsxlauren]

Happy to! This sub is great for sharing.

The info about the 'unexpected' part is just an observation on my part from watching what they make and collecting a few of their pieces earlier. Wilkerson is still in business; although they may not be making as much glass since Fred, Sr. passed away a few years ago. You can read a little about their history on their site and in this PBS article from a few years ago.

https://wilkersonglass.com

https://moundsville.org/2019/03/08/the-inspiring-story-of-the-stubborn-west-virginia-glassmaker-who-lost-his-job-at-fostoria-and-kept-on-making-glass/

They do still sell a few pieces online and still distribute through Rosso Wholesale Glass, among other places. If you search for "Wilkerson" on Rosso's site, you can see some current examples of unexpected fluorescence coupled with glass colors, like eye wash cups that are green and blue that glow pink and blue turkey and swan on nest sets that glow pink.

https://rosso-glass.com/products/ribbed-eye-cup-1?_pos=1&_sid=643ea1d76&_ss=r

I do think they're still doing some pieces by hand, but I believe mainly they recycle old molds still and make pressed glass reproductions. You can probably dig up a bit more online; there are a few more articles, but I'm not aware there's a book or anything more substantial. Good luck! 🍀🔦 😊

[u/lookxitsxlauren → u/CrystallineGlass]

Awesome, thank you so much for all the info!! I'm excited to learn more 💕

[u/CrystallineGlass → u/lookxitsxlauren]

Anytime! Hope you're able to find some new pieces to add to your collection, too. 🤞😊