Heisey Moongleam Color
Heisey Collectors of America, Inc.
COLOR OF THE MONTH
MOONGLEAM
By Frances Law
This is the color Virginia McLean describes as a "cool, sparkling green." Concetta Emanuele says the first pattern advertised was the #3355 Fairacre stemware. She called it the "soft green of meadows”. It is usually considered lighter in shad1nq then emerald. However, thickpieces of moongleam appear darker in color. It is quite easy to tell the difference in Heisey's Moonqleam and Imperial's Verde. The Verde is an olive qreen, and some was made in Heisey molds. If you study a piece of each color, it should be a simple matter to tell the difference.
Moonqleam was the third most popular color. It was also the first color made in the second color period. Many patterns were made from 1922 to 1935; these are probable dates for this color. It is somewhat higher in price than crystal, but still quite available.
Certain shades of green are made from oxide of chrome, which is secured from chromite ore. We assume varying amounts, along with other ingredients, produces the desired shade of green. As to the actual chemical composition of Moongleam, who knows? Suffice it to say, the chemists were successful in making this light, airy green. However, this color varies greatly in shade depending on either the chemical variations or the cooking time. The longer a color stays in the pot, the lighter it will be.
This color was used often ln a combination of green and crystal such as a green stem or base of a vase with clear top or vice versa.
Don't turn up your nose at this lovely green just because it is more available. Some of the prettiest seen in collections are in Moongleam. We have a pair of acorn and oakleaf (patt. #130) candlesticks which are as beautiful as anything one would wish to display.
The Yeakley book has an excellent color page of Moongleam, plate 12. It shows the shade variations much better than words can tell.
Vol. 1 No. 4 Official Publication Heisey Collectors of America December 25, 1972