Vintage Pyrex Value Guide (Patterns And Identification)

It’s been 25 years since Corning launched Pyrex in 1915! Although the company even stopped its production in the 1990s, there are still no brochures to value the old Pyrex items rightly. And sellers add price tags as they like without any verification!

But worry not! This detailed Pyrex value guide will help you not only identify Pyrex’s vintage features but also appraise them easily! So dust your glassware and join me to find the details!

Key Takeaways

  • You can value Vintage Pyrex with the help of some regional marks, patterns, product styles, and age. So, don’t forget to check its date or stamp on the back.
  • Pick vintage Pyrex products with curvy, geometric designs like American Empire, Mid-century Modern, or Sheraton for more returns.
  • Natural Pyrex patterns like ‘Gooseberry’ and ‘Snowflake’ cost more, often up to $900, while simple Diamond or Heart patterns cost $300.
  • Besides being transparent, even Black, Silver, and Gold colored Pyrex products value up to $1000.

Notable Features of Vintage Pyrex

Rare & Valuable Vintage Corningware Patterns

You can tell if your Pyrex is vintage by its aged features – Amber patina, Uneven thickness, and Clear or Pastel finishes. But there are more fine details that will help you verify:

  • Low-expansion Borosilicate or Soda-lime walls
  • Branded ‘Corning’ or ‘Pyrex’ marks with model numbers
  • Bold & intricate designs from the 1900s glass artists
  • Superior shock, electrical & chemical-resistant glass

A Brief History Vintage Pyrex Dishes

Once a simple glass line, now a beloved ovenware brand, Pyrex products went through different design and evolution phases as follows:

The Naming Phase: 

In the 1900s, people indeed used some of the thickest skillets and dishes. But those weren’t oven-safe and cracked with heat. That’s when Corning introduced Pyrex (named after the Greek word ‘Fire King’). And since it had borosilicate glass, it didn’t crack in ovens!

The Launching Phase: 

Corning launched Pyrex as a simple, 12-piece dish set (Egg, Bread & Dinner plates.) But, with time and sales, they explored some patterned bowls and casseroles too. In fact, some early Berry or Spring Blossom designs fetch good returns even today!

The Designers Phase: 

By the 1930s, people got bored with the same Berry and Floral designs. So, Corning introduced butterflies, daisies, and striped designs. Some even had red or orange designs, making them more popular.

The Declining Phase: 

The 1940s was the era of the Economic Depression. So, makers switched the ‘borosilicate glass’ with cheaper ‘soda-lime’ glass. But sadly, ‘Pyrex’ lost its quality, making it cheaper than before.

13 Vintage Pyrex Patterns With Value Guide

Vintage Pyrex with a 1960s Rainbow Pattern

Let’s explore the most popular and collectible vintage Pyrex patterns with their estimated values:

Sr. No.Vintage Pyrex PatternsYearHow to Identify?Estimated Value
1.Gooseberry1957Whimsical Pink, Black & White Gooseberries on a clear glass background$25 – 900
2. Butterfly Gold 1972Mixed design of Golden Butterflies & flowers on a White or Cream background$10 – 600
3.Spring Blossom Green1972White or Cream-colored Flowers, Leaves & Dots on an Avocado Green Background$5 – 500
4. Snowflake1970Delicate Snowflake, Swag, and Dot designs on a clear glass or Blue background$10 – 900
5. Amish Butterprint1957Simple, country-style design with an illustrated Amish farmer, Crops & Roosters on Clear or Turquoise Blue walls$20 – 800
6.Pink Daisy1956Scattered & Random White daisies or other florals on a Pastel Pink Background$20 – 400
7.Rainbow Stripes1965Solid-colored, Alternating bands of Blue, Yellow, Pink & White on a clear glass background$15 – 500
8.Turquoise Diamonds1956Dispersed, Turquoise-colored diamonds on a Clear or White background$10 – 200
9.Atomic Eyes1957Playful Atomic motifs, Stylized eyes, Swirls & Stars on a Clear or White background$10 – 600
10.Amoeba Pattern1955Random, Amoeba-shaped blobs in White, Blue, Green, or Yellow colors$10 – 400
11. Lucky in Love Pattern1959A light, feminine design with Hearts, Clovers, and Grass blades on a Clear Background$5 – 300
12.New Dot1967Look for three round dot bands around the external rim or center$5 – 500
13.Woodland1978Simple & Whimsical White floral or leaf designs on a Brown, Caramel, or Tan background$10 – 300

6 Factors to Identify & Estimate Vintage Pyrex Value

Vintage Pyrex dishes are generally worth $10 – $50, with some rare dishes from a limited edition pattern or product line that can sell for $100 to $500! Let’s understand how different features like age, style, and colors impact the final resale value of vintage Pyrex.

1. Manufacturing Date & Age

Vintage Corelle Pattern Products - Cups, Plates and Teapots

Do you know that Pyrex products from different eras have similar prices? For example, the 1930s Opal ones cost $1500, while the printed 1960s ones value up to $300! So, tracking the date becomes essential! And for that, flip your piece and compare the features below:

Old Pyrex YearAgeTop Era-Specific FeaturesEstimated Value
1915 – 1920103 – 108 yearsClear, Semi-opaque or Frosted Pyrex with uneven thickness, ‘Made in USA stamps’ & ‘Corningware’ logos$300 – 1500
1930s – 1940s83 – 93 yearsWhite, Opalescent Pyrex with ‘Circle,’ ‘CG,’ or ‘Blowing Glass’ stamps at the base$100 – 1000
1950s64 – 73 yearsColored, Patterned Pyrex with stamped straight lines or trademarks at the base$20 – 800
1960s – 1970s50 – 63 yearsSimple, soda-lime glass walls with a ‘No-broiling’ stamp and minimal patterns$10 – 300

Avoid getting aged, faded, or scratched Pyrex patterns, as those don’t value much.

2. Types of Products

Different Types of Antique Pyrex Products in the Market

If you visit an antique Pyrex shop, you’ll be stunned at the variety there! From small cups to large casseroles, each has the same branded glass and finishes. But do all of them have the same value? Let’s check below!

Antique Pyrex ProductsFeatured & Collectible PatternsAverage Cost
Bowls – Cereal, Chip & Dip, Dessert, Soup, Fruit & VegetableGooseberry, Amish Butterprint & Snowflake$10 – 500
Plates – Bread, Candy, Cheese, Dessert & DinnerGooseberry, Blue Cornflower, Woodland & Snowflake$20 – 700
Casseroles & Casserole PansTurquoise Diamond, Blue Cornflower & New dot$50 – 1500
Coffee Cups & SaucersRainbow Stripes & Snowflake$10 – 120
Jars & JugsNew Dot, Butterfly Gold & Pink Daisy$15 – 500
Creamers & Sugar SetsPink Daisy, Woodland, Lucky in Love$15 – 150

Try to get Vintage Pyrex with a fused or hand-blown glass make for a good value.

3. Colors & Glazes

Different Types of Vintage Corelle Pattern Colors

The earliest 1900s Pyrex items might be white or transparent. But then, by the 1930s, Corning introduced some red, green, and black Pyrex products too! So, let’s check how to appraise those:

Vintage Pyrex ColorsEstimated Price
Transparent & White$50 – 1500
Black, Brown & Gray$20 – 900
Silver & Gold$30 – 1000
Green, Blue & Purple$20 – 900
Red & Orange$10 – 500

4. Pattern Styles

Vintage Pyrex with Colonial & Federal motifs

Not all Pyrex patterns were natural or floral. Some rare 1930s ones mimic the different interior styles and art movements too! Also, some were regional and used local Dutch, Sheraton, or folk art designs that changed the values. Let’s see how!

Antique Pyrex StylesAverage Cost
American Directoire or Empire$30 – 1200
Art Nouveau & Art Déco$15 – 500
Colonial, Federal & Victorian$20 – 700
Mid-century Modern & Sheraton$100 – 1000
Dutch & Folk Art$10 – 300
Modern & Contemporary$10 – 400

Pick vintage Pyrex with original American, British, or French back stamps for more returns.

5. Rare Product Lines

You’ll get old Pyrex products in six product lines – Original, Colored, Patterned, Flameware, Visions, and Clear. Of this, the 1920s Original line costs more due to its crude, borosilicate finishes. But, the 1990s clear line doesn’t value much as it’s thin and machine-pressed.

Here’s a table showing the exact values of each:

Old Pyrex Product LineHow to IdentifyEstimated Value
OriginalsCrude borosilicate finishes, uneven shapes, sizes, and thickness$40 – 1500
Pyrex ColorsSolid-colored or Tinted finishes, usually with patterns or prints$10 – 800
Pyrex PatternsLook for pigmented, decorative, and intricate patterns like Gooseberry or Butterfly Gold$30 – 400
FlamewareBlue-tinted borosilicate pots & pans$10 – 300
Pyrex VisionsTransparent, glass-ceramic cookware with patterns and designs$20 – 400
Pyrex Clear AdvantageClear, Bluish-tint glass with thin and even finishes$10 – 200

6. Patterns & Products

Rare Vintage Pyrex Patterns

All the Pyrex patterns use similar pigments, materials, and finishes. But, even then, some patterns, like the Blue Cornflower Casserole, cost more than others. That’s because these belong to some limited-edition anniversary series that’s rare today!

Want to know about such rare Pyrex patterns? Here’s a list:

Rare Pyrex Patterns & ProductsHow to Identify?Last Resale Cost 
Blue Cornflower Casserole (1950)Central design of three Blue cornflowers and leaves on a solid White background$4500
Spice of Life CasserolesIllustrated vegetable motifs – Tomatoes, Green Pepper, Artichoke, Garlic & Bay leavesUp to $8000
WildFlower SaucepansOrange, Yellow & Pink Poppy designs on a Glass-ceramic baseUp to $6000
Lucky in Love CasseroleHeart & Clover designs on a transparent background$4000

What is the Value of Vintage Pyrex Bowls? 

Vintage Pyrex bowls typically cost $10 – 500, depending on the age, pattern, colors, and finishes.

What Year is Vintage Pyrex? 

Corning Glass Works launched the first Pyrex product in 1915. But the most collectible ones today are from 1930 – 1950, roughly 60 – 80 years old!

Is Vintage Pyrex Non-Toxic? 

Yes, vintage Pyrex is entirely non-toxic and has no lead, like cut glass. Instead, it has a non-porous, glossy finish that doesn’t seep into the food.

Is Vintage Pyrex Glass or Plastic? 

Vintage Pyrex doesn’t have Plastic at all! In fact, it uses a low-expansion, chemical-free borosilicate or soda lime glass with pigmented patterns.

Identifying Vintage Pyrex is easy, but valuing it might look tough! So when in confusion, test some visual features like the style, color, and patterns for the value. Also, check if your Pyrex pattern is exclusive or limited edition to hike the value!

If you loved collecting Pyrex, you might also love collecting different ‘Corelle patterns’ and ‘China’ patterns. But don’t forget to identify and appraise those with my guides!

Judith Miller
Judith Miller

Judith is an antique expert with nearly 20 years of experience in the field of antique identification and valuation. She has reviewed over 30 thousand vintage items and has worked with numerous antique shops. She enjoys seeing new places, attending antique shows and events, and sharing her knowledge with people! Know more about me

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