colored canning jars

[k15n1]

Why are blue canning jars considered so valuable? Are they usable for canning?

 

[Beekissed]

Well...you can use them, as that was their intended purpose. Most folks don't nowadays because they are considered somewhat of a collectible because they are no longer manufactured by those companies. Some of them have the wavery look of the old windows back then and even bubbles in the glass. Because of these imperfections, I don't know if they would stand up to the pressure canners we use nowadays, but I wouldn't hesitate to use them in water bath canning.

 

[Rebbetzin]

I think many of the blue jars were special limited editions from the canning companies. Cobalt blue may be an expensive additive? Not sure really. But many of the blue and other colored jars go back to the late 1800's to early 1900's so just the fact they are antique brings up the price.

http://www.rubylane.com/item/682576-0L09/Flaccus-Bros-Jars-Green-Amber

Kerr put out a 65th Anniversary Jar with streaks of Cobalt Blue in 1968.

http://www.rubylane.com/item/682576-1C06/Cobalt-Blue-Kerr-Mason-Canning

Glass as it ages, might not hold up to the rigors of canning..

 

[justusnak]

I think many of the blue jars were special limited editions from the canning companies. Cobalt blue may be an expensive additive? Not sure really. But many of the blue and other colored jars go back to the late 1800's to early 1900's so just the fact they are antique brings up the price.

http://www.rubylane.com/item/682576-0L09/Flaccus-Bros-Jars-Green-Amber

Kerr put out a 65th Anniversary Jar with streaks of Cobalt Blue in 1968.

http://www.rubylane.com/item/682576-1C06/Cobalt-Blue-Kerr-Mason-Canning

Glass as it ages, might not hold up to the rigors of canning..

I have several...and I mean, a few cases of the blue/green jars. I use mine for my goats milk, and dry goods, beans and such. Who knew they could be worth money?? LOL

 

[Beekissed]

I sold several at $.50 and $.25 and even gave some away in my yard sale....both quart and half gallon size. Up in the mountains folks just don't see the attraction because, to them, that's "old" stuff and they are still in the mindset that old is bad and new is better. My jars even had the zinc lids. I just couldn't haul them around this world any longer, so I just let them go.

 

[moolie]

Just as an aside, many of the old jars were coloured because it was thought that less light would get at the preserved foods and it would keep longer than if canned in clear glass jars. Blue was a very popular choice in North America (I've never seen the green) and amber was very popular in Europe.

 

[SSDreamin]

I think many of the blue jars were special limited editions from the canning companies. Cobalt blue may be an expensive additive? Not sure really. But many of the blue and other colored jars go back to the late 1800's to early 1900's so just the fact they are antique brings up the price.

http://www.rubylane.com/item/682576-0L09/Flaccus-Bros-Jars-Green-Amber

Kerr put out a 65th Anniversary Jar with streaks of Cobalt Blue in 1968.

http://www.rubylane.com/item/682576-1C06/Cobalt-Blue-Kerr-Mason-Canning

Glass as it ages, might not hold up to the rigors of canning..

That anniversary jar is beautiful! Not $100 beautiful, but so unique.