Blue mason jars were invented by John L. Mason in 1858, which means they are over 160 years old as of 2020. Initially, Mason jars were widely used for home canning, but today they are more widely used for decorative purposes.
Throughout the years, many variations of Mason jars have been made, including differently-hued glass jars. Blue Mason jars tend to be quite popular. The most collectable blue jars are those which feature cobalt blue hues, as those were produced between 1870 and 1890.
While cobalt blue jars are quite rare and can be quite expensive to purchase, some modern replicas have been made in recent years, making them much more affordable.
Why are some Mason jars blue?
Some Mason jars are blue because the iron used in their manufacturing process created chemical reactions that caused the glass to turn blue. This occurs when manganese, which is typically found in small amounts in silica sand, is heated along with iron.
This process causes the glass to darken to a deep blue or even violet hue. It wasn’t until the introduction of World War I, when the availability of manganese dioxide was reduced, that clear glass became more commonly produced.
Many vintage and antique blue Mason jars were produced from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s and still make their way into circulation today. Many people enjoy the unique beauty of these collectible jars for a variety of decorative, practical, and nostalgic purposes.
When did blue mason jars come out?
The first blue Mason jars, known as “The Ball Perfect Mason,” were produced by the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company, which was founded by five brothers from Indiana, in the late 1800s. These jars were produced in blue, aqua, and clear colors and were made available for public sale in July of 1913.
The Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company was sold in 1935 and the jars were soon after given the new name of “Ball jar. ” The Ball Company produced these Ball jars until the 1970s when production eventually ceased.
Today, vintage Mason jars are highly sought after by collectors and have become popular decorations, especially in the blue variety. These vintage jars can fetch high prices depending on the rarity and condition, but even the most common, production-line jars in good condition tend to be collectible.
The blue Mason jars are especially popular and will often sell for more money than other colors. Since the production of these jars ended in the 1970s, supplies are becoming scarce and prices are on the rise.
What Mason jars are the most valuable?
Mason jars are highly collectible and there is a wide range of value associated with them depending on the age, color, size and condition of the jars. The most valuable jars typically come from just after the patent date in 1858, which are called the “shoulder seal” jars.
These jars usually have a zinc lid and an embossed symbol of the jar’s patent date on the shoulder, typically followed by the Mason’s initials. Generally, the rarer the jar and condition, the higher the value.
Another type of Mason jar worth collecting is the “improved” Mason jar, which dates between 1870 and 1910. These jars include improved threads, a recessed lid and an embossed symbol near the base of the jar.
Most of the improved jars are still in great condition and are often referred to as the “granddaddy” of Mason jars.
Masontops, a company that makes unique accessories for Mason jars, states that the most valuable jars are not necessarily the oldest, but the most unique. The most valuable jars tend to be cobalt blue, deep emerald green, purple and amber, as these colors were produced for only a limited time during the 19th century.
The rarest Mason jars are in excellent condition and are decorated with unique extra details such as dents, bubbles and drips.
These jars can fetch high prices at auctions and online, with colored jars often selling for hundreds of dollars. Prices can reach even greater heights when a jar contains bubbles, imperfections or misprints.
Are there any Mason jars worth money?
Yes, Mason jars can be worth money. Depending on the age of the jar and the design, the value can vary. Typically, the older and rarer the jar, the more it is worth. For example, a Mason jar made in the early 1900s between 1915 and 1923, may be worth around $20 to $40, while a Mason jar made from the mid-1900s up until the 1960s may be worth around $4 to $8.
If however, the Mason jar has a unique design or an advertisement written on it, then the value could increase significantly. Furthermore, if the jar is a unique light fixture or a rare size, then the value can grow even further.
Ultimately, it all depends on the age and design of the Mason jar as to how much it is worth.
How do you date Ball Mason jars blue?
Dating blue Ball mason jars is a common practice, as these iconic jars are very collectible and can often fetch a high price due to their age and rarity. To accurately date a blue Ball mason jar, it is important to first identify the jar based on the logo.
Once the type of jar is determined, information regarding its manufacturing date and other history can be gleaned from the internet.
For jars made between 1885 and about 1915, the Ball brand logo is a straight-sided script with the lettering “BALL” slanted diagonally. After 1915, the Ball logo changed to the familiar cursive “Ball” on the jar bottom.
These jars are referred to as “improved” jars.
To accurately determine the age of the jar, it is important to know the approximate date of manufacture and compare it to the logo style on the bottom of the jar. It may also be helpful to take note of the location code, embossed in the lower right corner of the jar, which can help you determine where the jar was made.
It is also important to note that the lid of the jar is usually a different color than the jar itself—often a bright red or green—and can help in the identification process. Red or green lids indicate jars made between 1910 and 1933, while white lids indicate jars made after 1933.
Finally, pay close attention to the size of the jar. Tiny 1/4-ounce bottles are not as common as larger-sized mason jars. The size can provide important clues about the approximate age of the jar.
By understanding the approximate age, type, and size of your blue Ball mason jar, you can likely make a determination about its age and rarity. Happy collecting!
How can you tell how old a Mason jar is?
To determine the approximate age of a Mason jar, look for clues such as the style of the logo, colored glass, the jar’s shape, and embossing. The earliest Mason jars were wood and tin canning boxes created around 1825.
The familiar brands of Ball, Atlas, and Kerr began glass canning jars in the 1870s, with the patent ribbed jars created by John Landis Mason in 1858. The very first jars embossed with a Mason’s patent were produced in 1858 and 1859.
They had the lettering embossed on the side, generally arranged in two lines, with the jar’s capacity printed below. The “Improved” Mason jars that were introduced in 1885 had the patent date and other information embossed on the jar’s shoulder.
They also had a two-piece lid with a flat metal disc lid sealed onto the jar by a metal screw band. From the beginning of the 20th century, alternating wide and narrow bands were added to the jar shoulder, making it easy to differentiate models.
In the 1930s, the brand name was added to the jar, making it even easier to distinguish the age. You can also identify antique Mason jars by their color. Early mason jars were produced in aqua blue or a light green, although jars in amber, yellow, and even pink and purple, were also produced in the 20th century.
With a few clues, you can assess the approximate age of your Mason jar.
How much are Atlas Mason jars worth?
The value of Atlas Mason jars varies widely depending on a number of factors, including the jar’s age, size and condition. For instance, an Atlas Half Gallon jar in excellent condition could be worth around $40 or more, while an Atlas Quart jar in poor condition could be worth only a few dollars.
Generally speaking, jars from the 1940s to the 1960s tend to be the most sought after and valuable. Additionally, certain rare colors, such as blue and green, can also have a large impact on the value.
On average, however, most Atlas Mason jars can be purchased for anywhere from $1 to $10. It’s also worth noting that at times, Atlas Mason jars can be found in antique stores, estate sales or even flea markets for bargain prices, so it’s worth doing some research to find out where you can buy them.
Ultimately, whether an Atlas Mason jar is worth purchasing depends on your budget and what you are looking for in terms of rarity and condition.
When did they stop making Atlas Mason jars?
Atlas Mason jars were first produced in 1910 by the Glass Container Corporation. Over the years, production of certain sizes and shapes has ceased, but Atlas Mason jars are still produced today.
The last 8-ounce square Atlas Mason jar was produced in the 1960s. In 1968, the company began producing a wide-mouth version of the jar, which limited their production of the standard-mouth jar. In 1989, an agreement was made with the Ball Corporation to produce Atlas Mason jars, and production of the Ball-Atlas brand began.
However, even this arrangement was eventually discontinued, and the last Atlas Mason jar to feature the Ball logo was produced in 1998.
These days, vintage jars and newly produced jars are easy to find, although they are becoming increasingly rare as time goes by. If you’re looking to purchase Atlas Mason jars, you can usually find them online and in antique stores.
What do the numbers mean on the bottom of blue mason jars?
The numbers on the bottom of blue mason jars refer to the year that particular jar was made. According to a quick Google search, the blue mason jars (or Ball jars) are typically marked with an “8” (or on some older jars with a “C”) followed by either a ‘2’, ‘3’, or ‘4’, followed by ‘USA’.
The ‘8’ or ‘C’ is the manufacturer’s logo and the number following it indicates the year it was made. For example, a blue mason jar with the logo ‘C2’ was made in either 1932 or 1962, ‘C3’ in 1933 or 1963, ‘C4’ in 1934 or 1964, ‘2’ in either 1942 or 1972, ‘3’ in either 1943 or 1973, ‘4’ in either 1944 or 1974, and so on.
The other year codes are ‘1’ for 1941 or 1971 and ‘5’ from 1945 or 1975.
It is also important to note that not all jars made after 1975 have numbers on the bottom. The Ball Company stopped marking their jars with numbers in 1976. After 1976, jars would only have the Ball logo and the ‘Made in USA’ stamp.
So if a jar only has those two things and doesn’t have a number like the ‘8’ or ‘C’, this means it was probably made after 1976.
In summary, the numbers on the bottom of blue mason jars refer to the year that the jar was made by the Ball Corporation.
What is a Ball perfect mason jar worth?
The value of a Ball Perfect Mason jar–an antique glass jar used in home canning–varies widely depending on the particular jar and its condition. Generally, a Ball Perfect Mason jar in good condition can range in value from around $5 to up to around $50.
Rare jars with errors can range much higher in value, with some fetching up to $1,000 or more.
The most common Ball Perfect Mason jars were made between 1913 and 1960. The jars have a logo that features the name “Ball,” the year of manufacture and the patent number, so it is easy to identify the age of the jar.
Unlike some other antiques, age alone is not necessarily the defining factor in the value of a Ball Perfect Mason jar.
The condition of the jar is the main factor in determining its value. If the jar has no chips, scratches or other damage, it will probably be worth a bit more than a jar with some wear. As with all antiques, rarity also affects value.
Jars that have unique embossing or coloring, or anomalies like a missing logo, due to a factory mistake, are rare and can be worth more.
The market for canning jars has grown significantly in recent years, and collectors around the world are always looking for unique and unusual items. Prices can fluctuate greatly according to the current market, so it is important to do research and stay up to date on the latest values.
Are Golden Harvest Mason jars freezer safe?
Yes, Golden Harvest Mason jars are freezer safe. These jars are made with tempered glass, so they are capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. Furthermore, they have sturdy airtight lids that make them perfect for refrigeration or freezing.
You can use them to store leftovers, sauces, soups, and most other food items. When freezing liquids, you should always make sure to leave room at the top of the jar in order to prevent it from overflowing or cracking.
This is especially important for Golden Harvest Mason jars, as the thicker glass can cause cracking if the liquid is left too full before freezing. Additionally, it is important to make sure the lid is completely sealed before freezing, as an unsealed lid can lead to air exposure and potential freezer burn.
What year is a ball jar that says Perfect Mason on the bottom of it?
The year of a ball jar that says “Perfect Mason” on the bottom is most likely from the late 1920s to early 1930s. Ball first introduced the “Perfect Mason” jars in 1923, which were the first ever re-usable glass jars for home canning.
Ball discontinued the “Perfect Mason” in 1933 and replaced the embossing with the words “Mason” in 1933, and then replaced the word Mason with “Ball” in 1953. The Ball Perfect Mason jars were made in two Colors – aqua and clear, though most Perfect Mason jars are aqua.
Later versions of the original Perfect Mason also had a porcelain lid with a wire bail, as well as a zinc lid with a Glass top. The original version of the Perfect Mason did not have any logos on the bottom of the jar.