The Rare, Hand-Blown Mason Jar That Enthusiasts Would Be Overjoyed To Thrift

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Mason jars can be an underrated thrift store find. While they aren't necessarily seen as something overly collectible or valuable, there are certain vintage and antique jars that you should consider picking up on the secondhand market. When it comes to some of the oldest and most valuable Mason jars to find secondhand, an 1800s Hero Cross jar should definitely be on the list as one worth picking up.

These Mason jars come in a few different colors, including amber and aqua blue. They feature the words "Mason's Patent" across the front of the jar, with the date of the patent and a Maltese cross-like design. The cross on these jars is specifically known as the Hero's Cross because it was designed for the Hero Fruit Jar Company. While reports suggest that the cross first appeared on these Mason jars as early as 1882, the earliest documents for the company show that it was likely established in 1856, so the cross emblem could have been used even earlier. Plus, in 1884 the company added their initials into the arms of the cross, which means that you can find jars with and without the initials still on the market. These jars were hand blown too, which would leave very specific marks on the glass, including air bubbles trapped in the glass and an upper edge that has been finished by hand after being rough cut and then ground to a smoother finish. Given that the production timeline for these jars was limited and over a century ago, an intact, authentic one in the wild is rare and will be quite the find.

If you're shopping at thrift stores and estate sales for these vintage jars, you'll want to make sure that you're not looking at a reproduction piece, which will include checking the seams on the jar. For authentic Hero's Cross Mason Jars, you'll want to look for seams that don't get to the lip of the jar. Remember to check for the brand's initials within the body of the cross, which can also help determine the age of the piece. Other things to look for are the actual lid that originally came with these jars, as this can increase the value.

Condition also matters when it comes to value for these jars. Look for jars that do not have any cracks or large chips in them. Another thing to check for is clouding of the glass. While some clouding can be a buildup of minerals which is relatively easy to clean up, more permanent clouding is caused by things like exposure to high heat repeatedly and harsh chemicals. This leaves the glass etched, which can't be undone and will significantly reduce the value of even an antique Mason jar.

Antique or vintage Mason jars are typically valuable, and these jars are no different. They can fetch a decent price on the secondhand market, with a dark amber glass Hero's Cross jar with lid selling on eBay for $200. While a small aqua blue jar with lid sold for as much as $125 and a group of blue jars, some without lids, sold for $235.