24-inch strand of vintage Bohemian (Czech Republic today) bicone shaped Vaseline beads. They were made from 1830 until about 1900 and earned their name because the first ones, made of yellow uranium colored glass were the same color as jars of vaseline were sold in at the time.
This 24-inch strand includes 6 antique yellow uranium colored beads made before 1860 and the rest of the strand is made of green glass beads with holes that are the same size on both ends, indicating that they were produced after 1860.
The green beads are mostly about 10x12mm The uranium colored beads are each a different size and shape.
Uranium was a common coloring agent at that time and is NOT considered dangerous in beads. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission considers uranium glass safer to handle and wear than household electronics like cell phones! If you want to be really sure, wash your hand after handling them.
The USDA recommends against eating or drinking out of antique or vintage uranium colored glassware, however so don't let your kids eat your beads!
You can tell if your beads are colored with uranium because the fluoresce bright green under black lights. I don't have a black light so I haven't tested these.
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