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Uranium Glass Ball

Uranium Glass Ball

117 total reviews

  • Radiation: 0.14 μSv/h

Item #219


Uranium glass is a type of glass made with a small amount of the radioactive element with atomic number 92. This causes it to glow intensely bright green under ultraviolet light.

It was once common for glass manufacturers to add small amounts of uranium oxide, around 2% by weight, to their items to achieve yellow or green coloration. This practice became less popular after the element was strictly regulated in the US under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.

Since UV lights are now widely accessible, interest in uranium glass has risen again and is now sought by collectors. The presence of uranium also means the glass is slightly radioactive. It is harmless to handle, but please avoid eating it.

In America, uranium is illegal to own without a license; however, an exception has been made for glassware containing uranium, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

  • Size is around ⅞ – 1” diameter.
  • These are vintage, so some dents, small chips, and manufacturing imperfections can be expected.
  • Slightly radioactive, but harmless.
  • Makes a great uranium sample if you're collecting the elements.
  • Comes in an acrylic storage box.

 

Learn more about the science behind the glow of uranium glass, and many other interesting colors, in our new book The Universe in 100 Colors.

This item pairs well with our ultraviolet LED flashlights. You may also like our other radioactive materials or element samples.


  • Research card
  • Acrylic display box

Regular price $15.00
Regular price Sale price $15.00
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Further Reading:

  1. https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part040/part040-0013.html
  2. https://www.epa.gov/radtown/radioactivity-antiques

AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED

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Customer Reviews

Based on 117 reviews
97%
(114)
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C
C. (Virginia, United States)

Awesome item! Glows green under blacklight and registered on my husband's Geiger counter.

A
Albert

Awesome like them very much thank you!

C
C.R.R. (Florida, United States)
Cool gift for a good price

My friend loved it and it looked really cool when we put it under black light!

S
S.B. (Virginia, United States)

A + + + +

R
R.M. (Virginia, United States)

Absolute beauties. Thank you so much x

G
G. (Virginia, United States)

My son was very happy with this gift.

WE TAKE SCIENCE SERIOUSLY

You deserve better than craft store science products. And we think learning is more impactful when you're holding a tangible piece of what you're learning about. That's why Stemcell exists.

We're dedicated to providing the best scientific products available—whether they're fragments of scientific importance, experimental activities, or just interesting things that scratch your curiosity itch.

With every new product launch, our list of new ideas gets longer rather than shorter. So check in often for our latest projects, and thanks for being a part of our endeavor to make the world a smarter place to live.

Believe in yourself; for everything else, there's science.

— TERRY MUDGE, FOUNDER & SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR