Have you noticed that almost every year some shade of green is in style? Back a few years it was blue-green, then yellow-green. Pantone proclaimed emerald the color of the year for 2013.

Glass makers of course kept up with trends. Let’s see the wonderful shades of green that have come, gone and come back. When you identify glass the color can be a good clue to era and maker.

Late 1920s and 1930s: Crayon green, pistachio green and jadeite translucent green. Colored glass was IN and glass companies experimented with tones.

1940s to late 1960s: Forest green, green with a blue tone

1960s to 1980s: Olive green, avocado green. Darker greens with yellow or yellow-brown tone

^{Depression Era Green Glass}

Mass-Produced Depression Glass – Federal, Hocking, Hazel Atlas, Indiana

When you think depression glass, think crayon green.

Federal Glass. Most of the green glass from Federal Glass is like this Georgian Lovebirds lunch plate, true green. It’s not yellowish or bluish, just green

Federal Glass used green for most of their patterns, including Patrician, Madrid, Sharon. All are about the same green.

Hazel Atlas made green patterns too, especially Cloverleaf, Royal Lace and Florentine Poppy. This Florentine Poppy #2 cup is a true green, much the same shade as Federal’s green.

Royal Lace, also by Hazel Atlas, came in a rainbow – pink, blue, green, clear – and its green is just a touch lighter.

Hocking Glass was the hands-down champion green glass maker in the depression. Almost every pattern had at least a piece or two in green. To my eyes their green color during the mid-late 1930s is a little different between the earlier Block Optic pattern and later Mayfair. Take a look at the pictures and see if you notice a difference.

This is the cone shaped sugar in Block Optic, one of my favorite shapes. That footed cone shape is pure depression era!

Now compare that to this Mayfair center handled server. The Mayfair, made 1931 to 1937, looks a little lighter. Green Miss America is also this lighter, slightly yellowish tone.

Hocking’s Cameo is closer to the Block Optic color.

MacBeth-Evans did not make a lot of green glass other than Dogwood and Thistle. They made some Cremax and similar patterns with green trim.

Indiana Glass. The last depression glass green I want to show you is Lorain, by Indiana. It’s definitely a lighter shade with a bit of yellow.

Even though we saw some color variations, remember that green from the 1930s was mostly a true green. Later patterns might be a little more yellowish, but you won’t find olive or avocado green. Those colors came much later.

Elegant Glass from the 1930s – Cambridge, Fostoria, Paden City, Tiffin

Depression Era Green Glass from Cambridge
Cambridge made a huge array of colors, including at least five shades of transparent green. They made so many colors that the National Cambridge Collectors published a book “Colors in Cambridge Glass”!

This Florentine etched oval center handled server is true green; I am guessing it is Emerald as that fits the production time line for the etch.

Now, compare that green to the lighter pistachio shade. This is the Apple Blossom creamer. The color is more yellow.

Appleblossom Green Creamer

I hope you can tell the color even though the picture isn’t so great. I sold this so cannot take a new photo.

Depression Era Green Glass from Fostoria

Fostoria’s depression era green was a true green, to my eyes a hair towards the yellow spectrum. Here is the Versailles footed candle holder.

Depression Era from Paden City and Tiffin

Paden City green in this mayo set is nearly the same shade as Cambridge Pistachio.

Tiffin had fun with colors. (Remember they were a division of US Glass for many years.) These satin glass candlesticks are a true green, rich and it looks and feels wonderful.

Post Depression Era Green Glass

Anchor Hocking Forest Green

Hocking Glass was merged to form Anchor Hocking near the end of the depression. They kept innovating and developing new glass styles and colors to fit the trends. They came out with two stunning colors, Royal Ruby and Forest Green.

They used Forest Green for many patterns and pieces, but the era of full glass dinnerware sets was waning. You’ll find tons of accessory pieces, beverage sets and vases. Anchor Hocking issued only a few dinnerware patterns in Forest Green, notably Charm which has square plates.

Here is a pair of Forest Green vases. Notice how dark and rich the green is.

Anchor Hocking Forest Green Vases

Jadeite – Translucent Mid- Green

Jade colored semi-translucent green glass has a long history, from early in the 1920-30s color fashion to Martha Stewart’s jadeite reissues. Here is an early jade green piece from Cambridge, almost opaque.

Jade lid may be New Martinsville. It has a lovely translucence and feels good to touch.

Pretty Petal candle holder is from Tiffin.

This Leaf and Blossom plate is more recent.

The Era of Olive and Avocado Green

Anyone who lived through the 1960s and 70s remembers the avocado craze. Kitchens were avocado; appliances were avocado; walls were willow which was interpreted as a pale avocado and walls and carpets were avocado too.

Glassware of the day was distinctly olive, shading into avocado. I don’t have any to show you in stock, but did see a Soreno snack set yesterday at an antique store. This gives you a good idea of the glass green at the very beginning of avocado’s reign.

Soreno Green Snack Set Cup at Antique Mall

I hope you enjoyed seeing the parade of green glass here. Enjoy the green in nature and in glass!