Until recently, vintage Pyrex was only purchased by longtime devotees looking to replace a chipped mixing bowl or broken coffee pot. However, in the past decade or two, vintage Pyrex has been attracting new admirers, particularly the people who grew up with it.
Although nostalgic collectors may purchase a mixing-bowl set just because it stirs their childhood memories, Pyrex is extremely functional and almost always has a role to play in the household. Today, vintage Pyrex is available in a wide variety of patterns, with each pattern having its distinguished price.
The Turquoise Diamond Pattern, for example, has a price ranging between $100 and $600. It is closely followed by the Snowflake Pattern which costs $75 to $599.99. Third on the most valuable rare vintage Pyrex patterns is the Cinderella Pattern which costs $50 to $350.
In this detailed guide, we will help you discover the most valuable and rarest vintage Pyrex patterns. What’s more, we will answer questions related to Pyrex products.
Table of Contents
What is Pyrex?
Pyrex is a type of glassware and glass that is resistant to electricity, chemicals, and heat. Originally, Pyrex was utilized in the production of industrial equipment and chemical apparatus, including thermometers, ovenware, and piping. In later years, however, the use of Pyrex glass expanded to other areas, including kitchenware.
What is Pyrex Made of
Pyrex is produced by heating boric oxide and silica sand to extremely high temperatures for extended periods. The molten raw materials are then processed to produced varying types of Pyrex glassware.
Chemically, Pyrex contains a material known as borosilicate – this material is a result of reacting silica sand with boric oxide.
One of the defining characteristics of borosilicate is that when heated, it only expands about 33% as much as the common type of glass (silicate). This is one of the reasons why Pyrex is less apt to break when it gets subjected to rapidly changing temperatures.
Who Makes Pyrex
Pyrex was introduced in 1915 by the Corning Glass Works Company. In 1915, the company produced for the first-time ovenware comprising of casseroles, custard cups, a loaf pan, individual baking dishes, shirred egg dishes, and pie plates.
The curious trademark (Pyrex) was selected after discarding other suggestions like Py-Right and Pie-Right. The Pyrex trademark blended the words “pie” and “right”, with the X that was frequently used on Corning Glass Works products.
Today, Pyrex is made by Corelle Brands, a global housewares company whose headquarters are located in Rosemont, IL. It is, however, worth noting that the trademark is used by several affiliates in several countries, including Australia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Canada, and the US.
15 Most Valuable Rare Vintage Pyrex Patterns
No. |
Pyrex Pattern |
Year Made |
Price |
1. |
Turquoise Diamonds Pattern |
1953 to1960 |
$100 to $600 |
2. |
Snowflake Pattern |
1956 to1967 |
$75 to $599.99 |
3. |
Cinderella Pattern |
1957 |
$50 to $350 |
4. |
Blue Stripe (Barcode) Pattern |
1966 |
$50 to $300 |
5. |
Amish Butterprint Pattern |
1957 to1968 |
$50 to $250 |
6. |
Woodland Pattern |
1978 |
$40 to $200 |
7. |
Turquoise Scroll Pattern |
1959 |
$50 to $200 |
8. |
Friendship Pattern |
1971 to1974 |
$50 to $175 |
9. |
Early American Pattern |
1962 to1971 |
$30 to $150 |
10. |
Butterfly Gold Pattern |
1972 to1981 |
$30 to $130 |
11. |
Gold Hearts Pattern |
1959 |
$40 to $125 |
12. |
Old Orchard Pattern |
1974 to1978 |
$20 to $125 |
13. |
Homestead Pattern |
1976 to1980 |
$30 to $120 |
14. |
Shenandoah Pattern |
1981 to1986 |
$20 to $105 |
15. |
Crazy Daisy (Spring Blossom Green) pattern |
1972 to1979 |
$20 to $115 |
1. Turquoise Diamonds Pattern
Year Made: 1953 to 1960
Price: $100 to $600
One of the rarest Pyrex patterns, Turquoise Diamonds Pattern remained a mystery until 2018 when the first Turquoise Diamonds bowl was discovered by a collector in its original box. Later it was discovered that the bowl had been manufactured for a brand known as Dainty Maid – this was the reason why the bowl did not feature Pyrex markings.
Dainty Maid was a popular seller for glass and houseware products between the years 1949 and 1960s. According to Pyrex experts, the Turquoise Diamonds Pattern was produced for the seller between 1953 and 1960.
We found several Turquoise Diamonds Pattern bowls on eBay. The cheapest bowl had a price of $275 while the most expensive bowl had a price of $600.
2. Snowflake Pattern
Year Made: 1956 to 1967
Price: $75 to $599.99
Introduced in 1956, the Snowflake Pattern was the first printed pattern put on the Opal Pyrex line. The Snowflake Pattern products were an immediate hit in the market and quickly gained customers. This pattern was in production until 1967.
The earliest products featuring the Snowflake Pattern are quite valuable. On eBay, we found a large Snowflake Pattern dish selling at $599.99.
3. Cinderella Pattern
Year Made: 1957
Price: $50 to $350
The Cinderella Pattern was introduced in 1957 by Corning’s Pyrex kitchenware designers. In addition to introducing the new pattern, the designers also developed new shape models to freshen things up.
The new models differed from the previous mixing bowls by the presence of opposed flares present on the rims. The flares tapered gracefully from the sides, serving as convenient handles and spouts for pouring.
Online, Pyrex products utilizing the Cinderella Pattern are available for sale in sets. The most expensive set we came across on eBay carried 39 items – this set was selling at $350. We came across another set with 4 items selling at $250.
4. Blue Stripe (Barcode) Pattern
Year Made: 1966
Price: $50 to $300
Introduced in 1966, the Blue Stripe (Barcode) Pattern was originally made available in 470 three-piece products designed for baking, serving, and storing. The Blue Stripe (Barcode) Pattern features a deep blue background that is paired perfectly with light blue stripes to create a pattern that resembles a barcode.
The fact that the production of the Blue Stripe (Barcode) Pattern lasted for only one year makes the pattern rare. On eBay, we found a set of 3 barcode pattern bowls selling at $239.99.
5. Amish Butterprint Pattern
Year Made: 1957 to 1968
Price: $50 to $250
The Amish Butterprint Pattern was introduced in 1957 and stayed in production until 1968. The pattern resulted from the growing market trends with the white on turquoise and turquoise on white Amish print.
Currently, Amish Butterprint Pattern Pyrex products are still on sale. On eBay, we found a set of 3 Amish Butterprint Pattern nesting bowls with a price of $215.
6. Woodland Pattern
Year Made: 1978
Price: $40 to $200
First introduced in 1978, the Woodland Pattern was produced until 1983. This pattern was released to accompany the Corning Corelle Dinnerware pattern known as Woodland Brown.
The woodland pattern was discontinued in 1983 but the Corelle Dinnerware remained in production until 1985. We found a set of 4 Woodland Pattern mixing bowls on eBay. The set was selling at $195.99.
7. Turquoise Scroll Pattern
Year Made: 1959
Price: $50 to $200
Released only as a 2.5-quart Cinderella bowl, the Turquoise Scroll Pattern went into production in 1959. The pattern was produced for only one year – by the end of its production, only 443 products had the pattern.
The fact that the Turquoise Scroll Pattern was produced for a single year makes it quite rare. On eBay, we came across a Turquoise Scroll Pattern bowl selling at $199.
8. Friendship Pattern
Year Made: 1971 to 1974
Price: $50 to $175
Introduced in 1971 and remaining in production until 1974, Friendship Pattern marks an era filled with nostalgic country themes. A popular pattern among collectors, the Friendship Pattern was designed to be evocative of the rural Pennsylvania Dutch designs.
We came across several products on eBay featuring the Friendship Pattern. One set carrying 3 casseroles was selling at $175. Another Friendship Bird Casserole was selling at $150.
9. Early American Pattern
Year Made: 1962 to 1971
Price: $30 to $150
The Early American Pattern was introduced in 1962 and stayed in production until 1971. This was the first pattern printed in 22-karat gold.
The pattern was made available in a brown on a white background or gold on brown background. On eBay, the most expensive Early American Pattern set is selling at $150. We found cheaper but similar sets with prices ranging from $60 to $135.
10. Butterfly Gold Pattern
Year Made: 1972 to 1981
Price: $30 to $130
Designed by Gregory Mirow, the Butterfly Gold Pattern was introduced in 1972 and run until 1981. Numerous sizes and shapes carrying the Butterfly Gold Pattern were released during this period. These products complemented the Corelle Dinnerware pattern produced in 1970.
The Butterfly Gold Pattern can be found in 2 colors – the orange tone and the brown tone. The price of rare Butterfly Gold Pattern products averages at $125.
11. Gold Hearts Pattern
Year Made: 1959
Price: $40 to $125
Released in 1959 and produced for only one year, the Gold Hearts Pattern came on 2.5-quart Oval Casserole. Featuring an alternating design of right-side-up and upside-down golden hearts imprinted on a light tan background, it is easy to see where the pattern got its name.
We came across a Gold Hearts Pattern serving dish on eBay. The dish was selling for $125.
12. Old Orchard Pattern
Year Made: 1974 to 1978
Price: $20 to $125
The Old Orchard Pattern was introduced in 1974 and was added to a full line of items. The colors utilized range from deep brown to light brown.
On eBay, we found an Old Orchard Pattern Pyrex set still in its original box. The set was selling at $124.99. We also found another set selling at $106.99. The cheapest Old Orchard Pattern set was selling at 59.99. All three sets carry 3 nesting bowls.
13. Homestead Pattern
Year Made: 1976 to 1980
Price: $30 to $120
The Homestead Pattern was introduced in 1976 and was in production until 1980. The success of the Pfaltzgraff pattern, which featured evocative hand-painted folk art, prompted the creation of the Homestead Pattern.
Designed by Estelle Rothstein, the Homestead Pattern was part of the patterns produced in response to the increasing interest in country living. On eBay, the most valuable Homestead Pattern nesting bowls are selling at $120. However, we did come across Homestead Pattern nesting bowls selling at $89.99.
14. Shenandoah Pattern
Year Made: 1981 to 1986
Price: $20 to $105
The Shenandoah Pattern was introduced in 1981. The collection featuring the Shenandoah Pattern was small – this is one of the reasons why the pattern is not widely known.
When the demand for patterned opal ware declined and ceased in 1986, Shenandoah Pattern was one of the patterns still in production. On eBay, we found a set of 3 Shenandoah Pattern bowls with a price tag of $105.99. We also found a second set selling at $70.
15. Crazy Daisy (Spring Blossom Green) Pattern
Year Made: 1972 to 1979
Price: $20 to $115
Introduced in 1972, the Crazy Daisy (Spring Blossom Green) pattern stayed in production until 1979. The pattern was featured on standard dishes, mixing bowls, creamer & sugar sets, and pepper & salt shaker sets.
The rarest Crazy Daisy products are worth at least $100. We found a set of Crazy Daisy Pattern bowls on eBay – these were selling at $111.
What is the Rarest Pyrex Pattern?
The Lucky in Love pattern happens to be the rarest Pyrex pattern ever released. The elusive print was released in 1959 and only appeared in the 1-quart round casserole dishes.
The pattern is believed to have been a limited promotional piece. This is one of the reasons why finding a piece with the Lucky in Love pattern is extremely hard today. In 2015, a rare Lucky in Love piece was sold for $4,000.
Which Vintage Pyrex is Worth Money – Vintage Pyrex Value Guide
The value of vintage Pyrex is majorly dependent on two factors: demand and rarity.
Over the years, the Corning Glass Works Company produced a slew of limited-edition patterns and promotional items. The highest-valued Pyrex pieces were produced in small quantities.
Products produced in small quantities are hard to find and very rare. This often increases their demand, which, in turn, raises their value.
A good example of how rarity influences the value of vintage Pyrex pieces is the Lucky in Love pattern. The fact that it is nearly impossible to find the Lucky in Love pattern makes the pieces carrying the pattern extremely expensive – in 2015, for example, a piece featuring the Lucky in Love Pattern was sold for $4,000.
Common Pyrex pieces are generally cheaper. The fact that they are easy to find reduces their demand. This, in turn, reduces their monetary value.
Conclusion
Whether it is the resurgence in mid-century modern aesthetics, the fact that numerous people believe in the superior quality of traditional products, or the collective obsession with vintage pieces, there is no denying the enduring appeal of Pyrex products.
Although Pyrex was introduced in 1915, patterns appeared for the first time in the second half of the 20th century. This detailed guide takes a deeper look at the most valuable Pyrex patterns.
We have also answered common questions often asked by Pyrex collectors. If there is a section you would like us to expound more on, please let us know in the comments.
