Skip Pyrex: The Antique Dishware Brand That's A Valuable Addition To Your Kitchen

Kitchenware brands like Pyrex and Le Creuset may be among the most popular names shoppers look out for when scouring thrift store shelves, but if you're looking to expand your collection of antique dishware, you may want to broaden your search to Blenko Glass. Established in 1893, Blenko has well over a century's worth of pieces to choose from, including vases, drinking glasses, and serving bowls.

Blenko glassware is notable for its rich color and textured designs. That means it's perfect for decorating, if you know how to make thrifted antiques work in your home. Due to the high number of dupes and the fact that many Blenko pieces are missing their original markings, it can be difficult to find an authentic piece. Luckily, once you've learned what to look for, it'll be easy to find these valuable additions to your kitchen. Or, you can turn the thrifted glass into the ultimate drawer organizer.

Originally, every piece of Blenko Glass was affixed with a sticker bearing the phrase "Blenko Handcraft." Since these stickers have changed throughout the company's history, they're also a great indicator of how old (and often how valuable) your thrift find is. Of course, it's not uncommon for these stickers to be obscured or removed over time, meaning that many Blenkos have lost their signature mark. While the company started marking their pieces in the 2000s by sandblasting them, engraving the mark into the piece itself, you may need to check for other telltale signs that you're handling an older, genuine Blenko.

If you're unsure of a Blenko's authenticity, start looking for signs that the piece in question has been hand-crafted. For example, Blenkos have a pontil mark — a rough spot from the glassblowing process — on the base. Additionally, authentic Blenkos will have tooling marks, but with the exception of the 384 double-spout water bottle, a lack of mold lines. The rim should be smooth to the touch, and the glass should be completely transparent with a vibrant color.

Blenko pieces come in numerous colors, but some of its most iconic shades are unique hues like honey, olive, and apricot. These colors were often produced during specific time periods, such as Blenko's amber series, which was primarily made between 1935 and 1956 (and again briefly in 1985). To give yourself even more confidence when identifying a Blenko, you can also check out their website, which provides access to all of the brand's catalogs since the 1940s.

Once you've secured your Blenko, you could try to turn a profit on it, depending on how much of a deal you scored. While prices vary by collection and year, some Blenko pieces can go for hundreds of dollars. Alternatively, you may want to simply incorporate your find into the kitchen, either as decor or as a part of your usual dishware rotation. Blenko glassware is undoubtedly art, but many pieces, such as pitchers and drinking glasses, were also created with function in mind. That's why Blenko Glass is just one of many vintage kitchen items you should always look out for at the thrift store.