If you’ve ever wandered through an antique shop and spotted a soft, mint-green glow on the shelves, chances are you’ve stumbled upon a piece of jadeite. Often mistaken for the gemstone jade, jadeite is actually a type of opaque milk glass. With its sweet green color, charming vintage designs, and fascinating history, jadeite has captivated collectors for decades. And thanks to a few pop culture boosts from Martha Stewart and The Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond), it’s as popular today as it was in its mid-century heyday.
What Is Jadeite?
Despite its gemstone-inspired name, jadeite is not a mineral, but simply glass in a lovely green. It became popular in the US during the early to mid-20th century. Since it was not only stylish, but durable and oh-so-affordable, it quickly became a favorite for dinnerware, kitchenware, and even restaurant pieces.
Over the years, various manufacturers produced jadeite with distinctive variations in shade, texture, and markings. So, collectors have a wide range of styles to explore!
(As a side note, yes, jadeite dishes can also be found in other shades. While the most common color for jadeite is green, it also comes in various other hues, including pale blue and baby pink. For our purposes here, however, we will focus on the more popular green.)
Early Jadeite
In 1930, the McKee Glass Company introduced its jade-green “Skokie Green” kitchen and tableware. These pieces, often marked with “McK” on the base, were among the first in the now-famous color.
Given the popularity of the McKee pieces, in 1932, the Jeannette Glass Company quickly began producing its own jadeite kitchenware. Jeannette is actually credited with coining the term “Jadeite.” Popular items from this time period include mixing bowls, salt and pepper shakers, canisters, and refrigerator dishes (“fridgies”).
Early McKee and Jeannette pieces are often made with uranium in the glass mix. So, they glow under black light (if you’re searching for vintage jadeite, make sure to pop a mini UV light on your key chain!).
In 1945, Anchor Hocking’s Fire-King division introduced jadeite dinnerware sets. Popular patterns such as Philbe, Alice, Jane Ray, Charm, and Restaurant Ware became staples in homes, diners, and restaurants across the country. (Note: Unlike earlier uranium-infused glass, Fire-King jadeite does not glow under black light, due to wartime restrictions on uranium.)
Jadeite Revival Reproductions
In the 1970s, Jadeite experienced a resurgence when the Fenton and Westmoreland companies produced new pieces.
But the real boom came in the 1990s, thanks to lifestyle icon Martha Stewart. When she showcased her own extensive jadeite collection on her television show, she sparked a frenzy of interest.
Her “Martha by Mail” catalog featured new jadeite pieces, often produced by companies like L.E. Smith, Fenton, and Mosser Glass, using both reproduction and original molds.
Today, companies like Mosser Glass in Cambridge, Ohio, still hand-make pieces. And popular brands like Pioneer Woman, Gibson, and Tablecraft produce imported jadeite. Collectors can hunt for original vintage pieces, faithful reproductions, or entirely new designs… or a bit of everything!
Pieces to Look For
Here’s a collector-friendly list of some of the most popular and recognizable jadeite items. This is an eclectic mix and includes vintage, reproduction, and modern designs.
- Mixing Bowl Sets
- Measuring Cups
- Salt & Pepper Shakers
- Hen-on-Nest Covered Dishes
- Pedestal Style Cake Stands
- Canister Sets
- Mug Sets
- Refrigerator Dishes
- Juice Reamers
- Butter Dishes
- Rolling Pins with Jadeite Handles
- Drink Pitchers
- Glasses
- Holiday Themed Decor (Christmas Trees, Easter Bunnies, Baskets)
- Cake Mixing Bowls with Pour Lips
- Serving Platters
Key Tips for Identifying Jadeite
There are entire books and websites dedicated to identifying jadeite. This is a “crash course” for the beginner. If the authenticity or age of a piece is in question, seeking out an expert is always your best bet.
When identifying jadeite, manufacturer marks can be very telling. Early McKee Glass pieces are often marked “McK” and were made with uranium glass. Early Jeannette Glass items, though usually unmarked, are easy to spot because they glow a bright green under black light. Anchor Hocking Fire-King pieces are marked with variations of the Fire-King logo and do not glow. All modern jadeite glass should have an identifying mark.
Color and texture also play an important role in authentication. True vintage jadeite usually has a soft, opaque green color, though the exact shade definitely varies depending on the manufacturer (and even the production era). Collectors should also look closely at patterns to determine authenticity (Google Image Search can be a great help). Some of the most popular designs include Fire-King’s Jane Ray with its ribbed edges, the heavier Restaurant Ware line, and the Philbe pattern, with its delicate embossed details.
For additional information, you may want to visit How to Identify Fire-King Jadeite Dish Markings which has great photos or the YouTube tutorial Collecting 101: Jadeite! History, Popularity And Value! Beautiful Glass! For serious collecting, reference books like Jadeite: An Identification & Price Guide by Joe Keller and David Ross can help you spot rare patterns and avoid costly mistakes.
Top Vintage Producers
While many companies produced similar green glass, collectors often focus on three main manufacturers that created jadeite pieces between the 1930s and the 1970s. Anchor Hocking, under their Fire-King brand, produced “Jade-ite” from 1945 to 1975 and introduced many beloved patterns such as Jane Ray, Alice, and restaurant ware. McKee Glass Company was among the first to produce jadeite in the 1930s, and their pieces are often marked with “McK.” Meanwhile, the Jeannette Glass Company began production in 1932 and is credited with coining the term “Jadite.” Many Jeannette pieces are unmarked, though some early examples can be identified by a “J” inside a triangle.
Current Producers
Several companies currently produce new jadeite, often in homage to the vintage pieces.
Mosser Glass: A US-based company that makes lovely glass pieces, including a variety of jadeite items like cake stands.
The Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond): Her line of products, available at Walmart, includes jadeite-style dinnerware.
Martha Stewart: She has produced and sold her own line of jadeite kitchenware since the late 1990s.
Anchor Hocking: The original company reissued some of its Fire-King designs in 2000, marked as “Fire-King 2000.”
Fire-King Japan: This company is now the exclusive manufacturer of new Fire-King products.
Tablecraft: This company offers a collection of jadeite glass items for kitchen and home use.
Where to Find Jadeite
While jadeite was once a staple in everyday kitchens, true vintage pieces are becoming increasingly rare finds. Still, collectors can uncover these treasures… if they know where to look.
Antique shops and flea markets are often the first stop, with many dealers specializing in mid-century kitchenware. These dealers are often extremely well versed about styles, dates, and manufacturers and are usually quite happy to share their knowledge!
Estate sales and auctions are another excellent option, especially when searching for larger sets. However, be wary of any high-pressure sales tactics to avoid overspending in the moment. (Getting caught up in the moment at an auction can be an expensive lesson!)
Of course, eBay and Etsy offer a huge and ever-changing selection, although it’s important to check seller reviews carefully. Also, request clear photos before making a purchase.
Sometimes the thrill of discovery sometimes happens a little closer to home. Don’t discount garage sales and thrift stores, which occasionally yield jadeite “gems”!
Caring for Your Collection
- Hand Wash Vintage Pieces: Avoid dishwashers, which can cause damage.
- Avoid Extreme Temperature Changes: Sudden heat or cold can crack glass.
- Handle Uranium Glass Safely: While safe to own and use in moderation, uranium glass should never be microwaved (you may prefer to save it for display only).
For many, jadeite is more than glassware… it’s nostalgia in a physical form. It recalls Grandma’s kitchen, boisterous family diners, and the best of mid-century America. With a combination of lucky thrift store finds and lovely reproductions, collecting is accessible to every budget.
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Susan Said… WHAT?! is your guide to a life filled with style. From must-have fashion and accessories, to gorgeous gardens, stunning interiors, plus the latest for posh weddings and events. Susan Conforte McNeill is an author, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the literacy organization Success Won’t Wait! Susan Said…WHAT?! was named one of the Top 50 Beauty Blogs in the World by RebateZone.