Are Ball Mason Jars Worth Anything?

Why are old Mason jars blue

Feeling Blue Those blue mason jars were mass produced until 1937 using sand from around Lake Michigan.

It was that sand that gave the glass its blue hue.

Those blue jars are not rare.

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Those mason jars were produced in clear, aqua, and amber colors..

How old is my Kerr Mason jar

Look for the Kerr name, which is embossed onto the surface. Observe the finish of the jar. If the base is smooth at the jar’s lip, it was made by a machine after 1915. A rough base means the jar was made between 1900 and 1930.

Are Kerr and Ball the same company

If the Kerr jars and their packaging looks eerily similar to that of Ball jars, it’s because they’re basically the same: Both Ball and Kerr brands are now owned and manufactured by the parent company Jarden.

What is a perfect mason jar

The Ball Perfect Mason was a brand of glass fruit jar (canning jar) made by the Ball Bros. Glass Company. Ball Bros was based in Muncie, Indiana. … Glass jars with this embossed marking was the most popular jar for home canning ever produced in the United States.

How much are old Ball Mason jars worth

The smaller and more common vintage jars usually sell for less than $20. However, the vintage green jars or those with special wire carriers can sell in excess of $300. The logo is the best way to date the jars because the Ball logo changed throughout the years.

Are blue mason jars worth anything

Ball Brothers in Buffalo (NY) Fruit jars were produced primarily in clear and “Ball blue” (aqua), but some amber, cobalt, and even milk glass examples can be found out there in the wild, and they are likely worth upwards of several hundred dollars.

Is there a Mason jar shortage

All that time in the kitchen during this pandemic has led to a nationwide shortage of Mason jars. Jars used for canning foods are in short supply this year. … And that surge has led to a shortage in Mason jars and lids. “There’s so many more people canning this year than have ever canned.

What can I use instead of a Mason jar

Weck jarsWeck jars are a popular alternative to Mason jars, made in Germany with glass lids and rubber sealing rings. They can be used for canning, although this method is not approved by the USDA. …

What can you do with old Mason jars

Expand your mason jar horizons with these 25 unique ideas for mason jars.Soap Dispensers. … Matchstick Mason Jars with Striker Lid. … Mason Jar Herb Garden. … Storage Container for Twine. … Salt or Herb Shaker. … Vintage-Vibe Mason Jar Lights. … Chalkboard-Painted Mason Jar Pencil Holders. … Storage Shelf.More items…•

Why is there a shortage of Mason jars

Newell Brands, which produces the two top mason jar brands, Ball and Kerr, acknowledged this surge, saying that COVID-19 has caused “unprecedented demand. The demand has resulted in supply constraints, extended lead times and recently limited product availability at stores and online.”

How can you tell if a glass bottle is antique

You can determine the approximate age of an old bottle just based on its lip. After the glassblower removed the bottle from the mold, he affixed a hot glass lip to the bottle’s neck.

What does the number mean on the bottom of Ball Mason jars

Not every jar has their manufacture date, but most do have the patent date. … There will be a large number on the bottom of your jar. This is the mold number, and unfortunately, also has no relation to the manufacture date. These charts tell you the approximate decade in which your Ball jar was made.

Which is better Kerr or Ball

I prefer the Kerr jars to Ball, because they have a smooth back (it’s perfect for labels) but they’re nearly impossible to get where I live. The next group is the wide mouth Kerr assortment. These come in quart, pint and half pint sizes. … They have these in half gallon, quart and pint.

Do blue mason jars have lead

Ice cream maker – 76 ppm lead. Vintage blue glass mason jar – the jar had no heavy metals but the vintage lid had 861 ppm lead and 1,537 ppm cadmium. Weck glass canning jars – 142ppm of lead.

What is the rarest Mason jar

Some of the rarest jars are antique green glass jars of certain shades, which can fetch up to $300. Green glass jars rage from pale, apple greens to dark olive greens and beautiful blue-greens.

Why are Mason jars so expensive

So why are Mason jars so expensive? … We go through the trouble of growing our own produce, making our own preserves, and then all the cost savings is taken up by an expensive glass jar with a red checker lid.

Can you freeze Ball Mason jars

If you’re trying to avoid excessive use of plastic in the home, glass mason jars are a great reusable option that you likely already have around. You can freeze liquids in mason jars and store them for several months in the freezer. … Use only straight-sided mason jars and fill them to the freeze-fill line.

How do I know if my mason jars are valuable

According to Minnetrista, the style of embossing can help you date the jar, especially for those made by Ball. An embossed design that is unusual or unique will fetch more. Sometimes, you can find a jar that has a word misspelled, and mishaps like this make the jar rarer and add to the value.