It Was Popular In The '60s — Now This Pyrex Dish Is A Super Valuable Thrift Store Find

Call it a response to the past decade of clutter-clearing minimalism or a recession indicator, but more and more Millennials and elder Gen Z are scouring thrift stores for collectibles. In recent years, the market for vintage Pyrex has exploded, thanks to its colorful whimsy and utter usability. Pyrex dishes don't just look cute on the shelf (although of course they do); this tempered glass bakeware makes incredibly durable casserole dishes, pie plates, and storage containers. One pattern in particular is having a moment: the Bluebird casserole dish.

The Bluebird casserole dish is one of the most valuable vintage Pyrex dishes to keep an eye out for while thrifting, thanks to the short window it was manufactured (1959 to 1961). The one-and-a-half-quart oval casserole dish was printed with a robin's egg bird and flower pattern and came with a silver or gold serving trivet and clear glass lid, which could also be used as another server. Designed to encourage collecting and gifting, these sets were sold for a limited time, so it's no surprise that today, Bluebird dishes sell for $20 to over $100 online.

Due to their promotional nature, the Bluebird casserole dish is a coveted Pyrex find, but they aren't as rare, or pricey, as others (keep on the lookout for this valuable vintage Pyrex pattern). A quick Google search reveals Bluebird dishes for sale on Etsy, eBay, and Poshmark, but avid — and lucky — hunters can find one at the thrift store. Look for a milky white base, clear lid, and a light blue/turquoise bird, tulip, and sunflower pattern. In the cradle, this dish is about 4 inches tall by 11 inches wide.

To ensure legitimacy, look out for the Pyrex logo embossed on the bottom of the dish, along with "Made in U.S.A." It should also feel a bit heavy, thanks to Corning's construction from tempered soda lime glass. Your dish will also be worth more if it also includes the lid and metal cradle.

Once you've secured your find, take it home to display and use. While you should avoid putting your vintage Pyrex in the dishwasher to preserve its pattern, you can put this glass bowl in the microwave and oven. When you're not using it, this dish looks beautiful on a kitchen island as a centerpiece, displayed in open shelving with other blue cookware, stacked on a nearby kitchen cart, or paired with your vintage KitchenAid stand mixer for endless grandma-core charm.