What’s the Difference Between Cadmium Glass & Uranium Glass? Which Is More Dangerous?

If you hunt for glowing antiques, your UV flashlight is your best friend. You’re probably used to the bright, alien-green glow of uranium glass. But what happens when you shine your light on a piece of vintage glass and it erupts in a blazing sunset of orange, yellow, or fiery red?

You’ve just discovered cadmium glass.

Like uranium, cadmium is a heavy metal added to glass for color, and like uranium, it fluoresces under ultraviolet light. But the similarities end there. Understanding the difference between cadmium glass and uranium glass is crucial for any serious collector—not just for identification, but for knowing how to handle them safely.

So, what exactly is the difference, and which one should you be more careful with? Let’s break it down.