How to Date Ball Canning Jars

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If you are an avid collector of antique mason jars like me, this post is for you! I will share how to date ball canning jars.

I have been collecting antique & vintage mason jars for as long as I can remember. Not only are they great for home decor, but they are so versatile for storing just about anything in your home. The one thing to keep in mind is that if you are a collector, you will want to know how to date ball canning jars. You may have a Bal jar that could be valuable.

How can you tell what year a Ball jar is?

Not every jar has the manufacturer’s date on it. However, you may find the large patent date embossed on the jar.

How can you Date Your Vintage Ball Mason Jars?

How do you know their actual age if you have some old jars? For example, if you have a Ball jar, you can date most of them just by looking at the logo on the chart. Also, Ball Manufacturing Company changed the logo every few years, and if you compare your jars to the chart, you can see how old it is.

How do I know if my Ball jars are valuable?

The jar with the older logos is likely worth more than one with a newer logo. Clear and Blue are the most common colors and can easily be found at your local thrift or antique store. However, if you have yellow or amber are rare to find.

Thank you to my friend Rosemarie @ Honeycreeekfarm1896 for allowing me to share her beautiful display of Antique Ball Mason Jars! If you get a chance, head on over to her Instagram page & check out her beautiful home.

Look for Phrases like those below that can help identify the year of your jar.

Perfect

Special

Ideal

Square

Eclipse

Improved

Vintage Colored Mason Jars

Did you know you can get the vintage blue mason jars now? You sure can! Your local food market sells the collector’s edition blue ball jars.

Your Ball jars could be antiques!

Mason jars have been around for over 100 years and are versatile in the kitchen. However, being a collector of old mason jars, I have learned a lot about the difference between old & new jars. If you are as obsessed with collecting old mason jars as I am, then you may have some antique mason jars? 

How do you tell if a Mason jar is a reproduction?

Some of the mold numbers that may be seen on the bottoms that usually indicate a fake jar include 1171, 851, and 971. Reproduction jars are known in many colors: ruby red glass, cobalt blue, black glass, bright greens, ambers, purple, olive green, yellow, citron, and other colors.

Can antique mason jars be used for food storage?

It is not recommended and not safe to use for canning food because the lid and jar seal is not tight enough, and the food will eventually spoil. Also, the old jars are made of brittle glass and may shatter from the heat of the canning process. However, storing dry goods is fine.

These days, you will find that Mason jars are not just for canning but are so versatile for kitchen storage. 

Do you have antique mason jars? Let me know in the comments!

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