The Most Valuable Pyrex Patterns You Can Own
By: Leigh Crandall (Country Living)
Time to check the cabinets, basement shelves, and storage lockers.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Pyrex is one of the most popular vintage cookware brands for collectors, with pieces beloved for both durability and design. Price tags for most retro pieces are also easy to love, with many finds starting at just a few dollars, especially if you're up for hunting the shelves at thrift stores or scouring yard sale tables.
But there are some vintage patterns that are rare and hard to find, making them extremely sought after by serious Pyrex collectors. "Patterns on the opal pieces span four decades, from the 1940s to the 1980s," explains Jolene Forrester of JoRetro , who specializes in vintage Pyrex. Of the more than 150 Pyrex patterns, about 50 to 60 were promotional or limited-run. Unlike popular mass-produced commercial patterns like Butterprint and Gooseberry, " promotional patterns were produced in limited quantities, sometimes for employee company events, stamp redemption programs, or as test pieces," says Jolene.
"This scarcity fuels demand and prices." Pyrex "promos" often featured exclusive designs, colors, or unique accessories like a candle warmer cradle, carrier, or trivet. According to Pyrex Passion , promotional patterns were often not given official names by Corning Glass Works, so collectors created their own names for these patterns that have now become the standard. Ahead, the most valuable Pyrex patterns on the secondhand market today, according to our expert.
14 Most Valuable Pyrex Patterns
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Turquoise Golden Birds , 1960s
Courtesy of Schmity on Etsy
It's believed this pattern, printed on a space saver casserole, was made exclusively for Corning Glass Works employees and never released to the public. There are very few in circulation, and those that have been listed for sale feature price tags in the thousands. "Having the matching lid adds to the value," says Jolene.
Estimated value: $6,000-$7,000
Lucky in Love , 1959
eBay
Lucky in Love is among the rarest Pyrex patterns and considered one of the "Holy Grail" finds by collectors. Printed on a one-quart casserole, the pattern features four-leaf clovers and hearts.
Estimated value: $5,000+
Clover Berry , 1960s
Courtesy of Jo Retro
The rare 2½-quart casserole pattern features gold clover leaves on a turquoise background. Given the gold worked into the pattern, "the limited production was probably due to the introduction of microwave cooking," says Jolene.
Estimated value: $5,000-$6,000
Black and Peach Atomic Starburst , 1960s
"The Turquoise Starburst was put into production, but the Black and Peach were likely test pieces. This would account for only a few being produced, making them extremely rare."
Estimated value: $4,000+
Polynesian , 1970s
Courtesy of A to Z Pyrex and More and Vintage Kitchen
At four quarts, "the largest casserole, affectionately named 'Big Bertha' by collectors, was only available in a small selection of standard patterns; finding this design is rare. This dish was found as an insert for a Crock-Pot, possibly a new product Corning was testing."
Estimated value: $3,500-$4,500
Black Star , 1950s
"This test piece featured an eight-pointed star in matte paint on an opal dish paired with matching lids in green, red, and pink. Having the lids increases the value significantly!"
Estimated value: $2,500-$6,000
New Mexico , 1950s-1960s
"This oval casserole was made in three colorways—yellow, black, and white. It doesn't have a Pyrex stamp on the bottom, indicating it was just a test run and never produced for sale. Flaws in the print on some dishes indicate that the complex silkscreen design may be why this was not put into production."
Estimated value: $2,000-$6,000+
Duchess , 1950s
Courtesy of A to Z Pyrex and More
"Available only as a Stanley Hostess gift, it came with a lid and cradle. The soft pink color and gold flowers make this desirable, but the dish can be hard to find."
Estimated value: $2,500-$5,000
Blue Dianthus , 1960s
Courtesy of Esther @Vampyrex
"In a limited production, this pattern appeared in all five casserole sizes in alternating colors, and they are rare to find."
Estimated value: $2,000-$3,000
Charleroi Blue Chip , 1963
Courtesy of Dandylion Farms
"A limited quantity was made for employees and their families to commemorate a family day event on April 27, 1963."
Estimated value: $800-$2,000
Turquoise Starburst , 1960
courtesy the Corning Museum of Glass
This pretty pattern with a starburst on a turquoise background appeared on a lidded space saver, a stackable casserole dish much beloved by collectors, and can command top dollar, especially if it includes the original lid, metal cradle, and candle warmers.
Estimated value: $700-$1,200
Pumpkin Butterprint , 1965
Courtesy of Replacements
While Butterprint is a popular pattern, this particular color was issued exclusively for stamp redemption programs as a four-piece Cinderella mixing bowl set. Bowls are often sold separately, but complete sets can go for four figures.
Estimated value: $1,000+
Pink Stems , 1962
Pyrex enthusiasts love the cheerful pink hue and folk art-inspired stems of this promotional pattern, with casserole dishes being especially sought after.
Estimated value: $700-$1,000
Eyes or Atomic Eyes , 1950s
Courtesy of OMKTVintage
This midcentury pattern was released as a chip 'n' dip set. Sets that still have the metal bracket are tough to score but command top dollar.
Estimated value: $700-$1,000
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Corningware has also become quite collectible. Both Pyrex and Corningware were (are) produced by the Corning Glass Company so they're quite often mixed together on thrift store shelves.
As our outmoded electric grid (predominently Copper) is being upgraded, "optical fiber" is being used. And IIRC special Corning glass is also used on 'phone and computer touchscreens.
(Owens Corning company, stock symbol GLW )
There's another apect to this I originally missed. I did the research and decided Corning stock should keep moving up in price (as more and more Copper was being replaced by fiber). But it didn't behave the way I predicted.
So I did more research and found something I had missed. The Apple company had announced it had found a new use for special glass in electronic devices-- specifically iPhones. But then they anoounced they were cutting back on this project. So many stock traders lightened up on their Apple holdings.
What I found interesting was what that project was: it was to make the iPhone case out of glass!
Apple is planning a "glass-centric" redesign for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027. While an extreme, 100% all-glass unibody was scaled back due to production hurdles , upcoming Pro models (codenamed V73 and V74) will feature curved front and back glass wrapping into the sides with a central metal band . [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
I had actually once owned a piece of Corning cookware-- inherited from my mother who used it. I just looked it up-- its gone up in value but still not worth a huge amount of money.
This one was very very popular at one point. I remember that both my mother and one aunt had it and used it frequently).:
Just found it listed on the 'net:
Rare find
Price: $40.00
Long time no see you K, glad to see you're back.
I had been getting bored with a lot of the discussion. After a while too much politics (and a lot of the things posted-- by both sides-- was too repetitious).
In addition, I do have other interets. I'm still fascinated by the stock market--- its got even crazier than usual, and I love the challenge of trying to "outwit" the market).
Variety is the spice of life.
I figured that the volitility of the market would gain your involvement.
In more ways than one.
It makes it an exciting challenge. But I also trade "derivatives " ("options")-- specifically selling Covered Calls. And one of the things that makes their price go up in high volatility.
I KNOW we had pyrex or Corning ware when I was a kid, but there's no way I can remember the patterns.
I think most American and Canadian families did have at least a few pieces in the past. I had kept the piece I had pictured here because years ago I did a fair amount of cooking-- many years ago cooking was a hobby I had. (I had even bought a steel wok and tried doing some Chinese stir fries). I did it for enjoyment.
Now its no longer a hobby, but I still do my own cooking. Since I've gotten older I've become very health conscious and cook my own meals. (everyting organic, etc).
I've also become mainly Vegan.
I normally prepare my own breakfasts and suppers - western style breakfasts (eggs anywhich way, toast, etc) and lots of salads like tomato salad, potato salad, etc for supper. Lunch is normally Chinese food prepared by my wife (NOT vegan), but sometimes it's pizza or Burger King.
It seems that over the years, in the U.S.. discussiions re: what constitutes healthy eating has often become a lot like political discussions. (Various people have differing views as to what constitutes healthy eating).
I've researched this subject for years.
Probably the main conclusion I've come up with is this: for most Americans the best advice (IMO) is: eat more vegetables!
P.S: And eat a variety . . .
Well, since my wife grows a variety of vegetables, I get to eat a lot of them. Because she grew up on a farm, she really knows what she's doing.
Then they're mostly healthier than commercially produced stuff. Commerical agriculture often uses too many chemicals.
In addition often the stuff in stores isn't totally fresh (and in some cases the nutritional values decreases over time after its picked)
Absolutely correct on both counts - as fresh as possible and totally natural. And as well, we use a blender to make delicious vegetable soups.
Hilarious. I’ve been to hundreds of antique stores and yes, old Pyrex is expensive. Not because it’s worth it, but because idiots think it is. This shit never sells. Every person’s mother owns it, then they die, and the kids think they struck gold. It ain’t worth shit. Go back to that antique store a year later - it will still be there, and its hopeful owners will still be paying monthly rent for that space hoping to find that elusive (nonexistent) buyer.
In your opinion. Because it not worth much to you.
But I've known of cases where someone bought something in a thrift shop for very little money-- and it turned out to be quite valuable.
People have different opinions. Some people buy stuff in thrift shops just because they like it. Others may be experts in certain fields.
I now use this principle to define the actual value of something like that: the actual value is the price agreed upon by the seller and the buyer!
I’m speaking from a place of experience. Antiquing is a big pastime for my wife and I. There are many stores that we visit several times a year, and on every road trip we make it a point to pull off at exits and find antique stores that are new to us. I’ve seen vendors with huge collections of this stuff, and their overpriced inventory never gets smaller. It is a myth that there is demand for this stuff. It is nothing more than functional cookware, and who in their right mind would amass more than they can use at such ridiculous prices? What would you do with it other than stick it in a cupboard with the rest of your cookware? We laugh every time we see it. We own some ourselves, from when my MIL passed. There is so much of it out there that I wouldn’t even buy it if I found it for pennies at a thrift store. I buy and sell stuff online all the time, but it would be foolish to think someone would buy this stuff at inflated prices.
pyrex bongs were coveted back in the day ...
I remember when people smoking pot would roll a joint, or some would use a regular smoking pipe (the type used with regular tobacco).
Then all of a sudden the bongs appeared! They reallly became popular really fast.
My wife does the thrift thing and collects Haeger pottery. Not long ago found a glass bee box (an antique glass trinket box with a bee on it) for a couple of dollars and sold it for $200 on marketplace. She isn't really a reseller, but she watches a lot of people who do it on YouTube and often mentions how crazy some people are trying to resell shit she gets for $40 or less.
I think there are some personality types who are born collectors. And then there are some of those who are traders. (in addition to accumulating specific types of things they really love trading).
In Jr high school I was an avid stamp collector. And I went to big stamp collector shows at the armory. But back then i didn't trade-- I only bought stamp collections and occasionally individual stamps or sets.
I had an aunt and uncle who were art dealers. Occasionally they gifted art to my parents. I inherited a few pieces. Later I had them appraised. I still have a few I like. (Only one is really valuable-- its a genuine Degas).
Part of my personality is that of a trader. But I don't trade objects. Rather i trade stocks and related stuff ("derivatives" AKA options). Occasionally buying and sellng stocks but mostly just selling covered calls, mostly trading covered call ETFs.
There is potential for things that are meant to be on display. Our house if filled with it. Who would display a mixing bowl though?
I'm sure someone would be proud of it, but yeah... I understand your point.
My guess would be that there are some reasons why someone might:
1. The mixing bowl is beautiful (or at least beautiful to them). People have different opinions, and different tastes, I have read articles about art auctions where a painting that i find to be ugly is sold for a YUGE sum of money!
(Personally I do not find any of these Pyrex bowls to be beautiful)
And 2: Another reason someone might want to display a bowl that you find to be ugly is that it has sentimental value for them personally. (Perhaps it was a gift from someone they loved. Or it had belonged to someone-- now deceased-- who was close to them.