If You Find This Rare Glass Secondhand, Get It Immediately — It's A Thrift Store Gem

A full century since it came onto the scene in the 1920s and '30s, this vintage glassware trend is making a comeback in 2026. During a time of economic hardship in our country, Depression glass was mass produced using molds, making it a more affordable alternative than the luxurious, hand-blown glass of the era. Many of these common pieces remain affordable, often selling for around $10 per glass, but there are rare, covetable gems that go for a pretty penny, as well. Take, for example, Anchor Hocking's Cameo pattern.

Also called Ballerina or Dancing Girl, the design features a silhouette of a female dancer twirling ribbons. The pattern was made in several colors including green, yellow, and pink, with the latter being the most rare — and valuable — of them all. In fact, a set of footed pink salt and pepper shakers with metal lids by Anchor Hocking can sell for more than $1,000. Produced from about 1930 to 1934, these items are difficult to find today, and even more common examples can sell for $100 or more on eBay.

If you spy a swirling dancer at the thrift store, you may be in luck. Look for Hocking's common tableware items like tumblers, sherbet bowls, cake plates, and cream and sugar bowls. While green examples are also desirable, pink pieces tend to command higher prices thanks to strong and consistent demand. The Cameo pattern was so popular that Mosser Glass of Cambridge, Ohio, made modern reproductions as children's sets. While these children's items are charming, they aren't original Depression glass pieces, so don't expect them to carry the same value.

To identify true vintage Depression glass, look for manufacturing flaws such as mold seams and small air bubbles, as glassmaking techniques were less refined than they are today. The glass should have a thin, lightweight feel, and minor wear may be present after decades of use. Avoid pieces with any major cracks, or if the pieces look cloudy, which can be irreparably caused by modern dishwashers.

Many green and yellow examples contain uranium and will glow under a UV light or blacklight. However, be careful of one health hazard when shopping for glass, as uranium glass is mildly radioactive, and damaged pieces should not be ingested or used in ways that could introduce glass particles into food. It's generally best to avoid heavily chipped or cracked uranium glass pieces, especially if you plan to use them.