When it comes to Depression glass, pink gets most of the attention. This is the depression glass color that catches everyone’s eye at estate sales and antiques stores. But popular does not always equate to rare.
Depression glass was produced in over ten different colors between the late 1920s and early 1940s. Some were produced en masse by large manufacturers, while others were too expensive to produce and discontinued after one year.
This disparity is what drives the rarity, and hence, the value. So, here is every major color, ranked from most to least rare.
About Depression Glass Color Varieties & Value
Companies such as Anchor Hocking, Hazel-Atlas, Federal Glass, Jeannette, and Indiana Glass created depression glass in about 15 different colors. The colors were not all equally available.
Pink and green were produced for many years in many different patterns. There were some colors that only made their way into two or three patterns before production. Some colors failed commercially and stopped quickly. These short production lines are the reason why some colors are so hard to come by today.
But rarity does not necessarily mean the cost. Black amethyst is rarer than pink. But a pink Mayfair cookie jar worth $200 to $300 may beat a black amethyst plate worth $40, as there is much more buying potential for pink.
Condition magnifies everything. A damaged cobalt item loses 60 to 70 percent of its value. Any cloudiness due to dishwasher damage is irreparable and destroys resale chances for any color.
Depression Glass Colors: From Most Common to the Rarest
Most Common Depression Glass Colors
These colors were produced in the greatest quantities for the greatest number of patterns. You will find examples of all of these colors at any estate sale. The value is less about color and more about pattern and form.
This means even the most common colors can be valuable based on shape and pattern.
Clear (Crystal)
Clear was one of the most commonly produced colors, available in virtually all patterns from all manufacturers. Clear was the least expensive to produce at the time and remains so even now.
Amber
One of the earliest colors to be produced, factories made vast amounts. So, supply vastly outstrips demand.
Amber doesn’t usually sell for much, but unusual forms, such as a covered butter dish, canister sets, or large pitchers, in attractive patterns can be worth decent money.
Green (Different Shades)
Depression glass in shades of green exists in more than 40 patterns, and it is one of the most widely found colors of depression glass. Variations include light celadon, olive, and dark forest shades.
However, not all greens are the same. Some have uranium oxide and glow in UV light. This makes them dual-category collectibles, with their own fan club, and hence worth more money.
Pink
Pink is the most sought-after depression glass color by far. Pink glass was available in numerous patterns like Cherry Blossom, Mayfair, and Miss America, and supplies are abundant.
However, demand remains high as always. Common items like plates and cups can be found cheaply, but hard-to-find items in good condition fetch hundreds of dollars. A pink American Sweetheart pitcher once went for almost $900.
Moderately Rare Depression Glass Colors
They were manufactured in fewer patterns or runs compared to the “big four.” They are not found in every sale. When they are found, expert collectors usually recognize them instantly.
Yellow (Canary)
Yellow depression glass is much rarer than amber and has a brighter hue. There were also fewer patterns made with yellow depression glass, including Madrid and Lorain. Yellow glass has a strong collector demand and is sold out fast when found in good patterns.
Monax (Opalescent White)
This is an opaque opalescent white depression glass mainly manufactured by Macbeth-Evans for American Sweetheart and Petalware patterns. It has a milky quality that is different from regular milk glass. Monax depression glass is mostly valued in the American Sweetheart pattern.
Ice Blue (Pale Blue)
This lighter, less intense shade compared to cobalt only came in a few different patterns. Not to be confused with each other.
The combination of Mayfair in ice blue is one of the most prized depression glass pieces you can get in any color, and cookie jars of that type have fetched over $1,000 at auction, while footed tumblers are worth $720.
Scarce Depression Glass Colors
This list of depression glass colors is rarer than others in both patterns and production periods. If you come across them in good shape in either a flea market or an estate sale, consider yourself lucky.
Ultramarine
This is a teal-blue color found predominantly in Jeannette Glass pieces of Doric, Pansy, and Swirl patterns. This color is very rare and exclusive since it exists in the blue and green spectrum in a way no other depression glass piece can. This color is increasingly difficult to find.
Delphite (Opaque Pale Blue)
Delphite is an opaque powder blue found exclusively in a few patterns made by Jeannette Glass. This color is easily identifiable by its milky blue appearance.
People collecting delphite tend to buy everything that comes their way in this color, meaning clean pieces are difficult to find.
Jadeite
Jadeite is the green milk glass most people associate with Anchor Hocking’s Fire-King products. Early jadeites made in the 1930s fall under the category of Depression glass, but not all currently available jadeite glass is Depression glass.
Good quality depression era jadeites attract collectors regardless of whether they were made before or after the Depression era. Rare items made by Fire-King fetch over $200.
Rarest Depression Glass Colors
The reason is that these colors either cost a great deal to manufacture, were manufactured in small amounts, or both. Seeing these colors in a thrift shop or estate sale is rare indeed.
In addition, in no other color is condition more important, since people will pay good money for perfect pieces.
Black Amethyst
This glass appears black until held up against bright light, when a purple color becomes visible. Black amethyst was made by L.E. Smith and a few others in limited production.
It isn’t collected as much as either the cobalt or red color, so its price reflects this to some degree.
Cobalt Blue
Cobalt blue is the rarest depression glass color known to most people. Cobalt oxide was much more costly to manufacture, and hence, only about 10 patterns of it were manufactured compared to 40+ patterns of green.
Royal Lace in cobalt color is the benchmark for all. Butter dishes can be sold for more than $1,500 while pitchers can cost anywhere between $200-$500. All cobalt pieces in good shape should definitely be investigated.
Red (Ruby)
True red depression glass is very rare. It needed gold or selenium in order to obtain the color, and therefore its manufacture was costly compared to other colors such as pink or green.
Most of the “red” pieces available in the market are actually ruby flash from the 1940s and 1950s.
Alexandrite and Tangerine
Both these colors sit at the very top when it comes to rarity. Alexandrite, made by Cambridge Glass, changes color based on its light source, ranging from shades of blue, purple, and pink.
Tangerine is an orange glass that did not sell well and was withdrawn from the market immediately. Both glasses are manufactured in very limited amounts and are the hardest to find.
Average Value by Depression Glass Color (Quick Reference)
| Color | Average Value Per Piece |
| Clear (Crystal) | $3 to $15 |
| Amber | $5 to $25 |
| Green | $10 to $35 |
| Pink | $15 to $35 (rare forms: $100 to $800+) |
| Yellow (Canary) | $15 to $50 |
| Monax (Opalescent White) | $15 to $50 |
| Ice Blue | $20 to $100+ |
| Ultramarine | $30 to $75 |
| Delphite | $25 to $80 |
| Jadeite | $20 to $75 (rare Fire-King: $200 to $1,000+) |
| Black Amethyst | $25 to $75 |
| Cobalt Blue | $40 to $150 (premium pieces: $200 to $2,000+) |
| Red (Ruby) | $50 to $200+ (originals: $200 to $600+) |
| Alexandrite/Tangerine | $75 to $300+ |
Tips for Collecting Depression Glass
Always bring a black light to each sale. Most green depression glass has uranium in it, and it will shine under black light due to that, which increases its worth as a collector’s item.
Know the differences between genuine pieces and fakes. Original pieces are lighter and thinner than those of today. Original pink should appear dusty, not like bubble gum pink. The detail work is sharper too.
Concentrate on pieces that have value regardless of the color. Items like pitchers, cookie jars, butter covers, and footed tumblers will beat regular plates and cups in all colors.
The most valuable piece does not necessarily look impressive. It may just be an unremarkable color hiding in the back of a cabinet. Now you know what to go after.
Note: This article is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Some images are illustrative and may not represent actual brands, products, or related entities. All trademarks, product names, brand logos, packaging, and other intellectual property referenced remain the exclusive property of their respective owners. Any brand mentions or references are provided solely for descriptive and educational context and do not imply any formal or commercial association.
