Your Grandma's Pyrex Could Be Worth Thousands

The vintage Pyrex market is hot!

Many home cooks have some Pyrex in their cabinets. They fill glass Pyrex baking dishes with lasagna, measure out oil for making brownies in the brand’s measuring cups, and store leftovers in lidded Pyrex glass containers. The Pyrex name is almost synonymous with glass bakeware, much like the brand Crockpot is with slow cookers, or Tupperware is with plastic storage containers.

Vintage collectors pay good money for many of those brands’ older products in good condition, but at the moment, Pyrex is the hottest of them all. Last year, a rare, 1959 Lucky In Love pattern bowl had a high bid of over $22,000 on eBay, according to Curbed. Ultimately, the high bidder of the bowl backed out, and the bowl went for much less in private bidding. Not all vintage Pyrex sells that high, but the auction brought to light just how in demand some vintage Pyrex is.

How to Know Which Pyrex Patterns Are Collectable

Pyrex is built to be durable, so there’s a lot of it still out there sitting in kitchen cupboards, packed in boxes in basements and attics, lining the shelves of thrift stores, and on the folding tables at yard sales. How do you know which patterns are the most desirable?

First, you need to know if the colorful glass mixing bowl in a pretty pattern you're eyeing is genuine Pyrex. Fortunately, the Corning Museum of Glass has a Pyrex Pattern Library online with 176 different patterns listed from 1945 to 1986. Even if you have no intention of collecting Pyrex, glancing at the photos of the patterns is like taking a quick trip through midcentury decor trends.

But just because a pattern is older doesn’t mean it will command a high price. You have to do your research. Spend some time on eBay or Etsy to see what various pieces have sold for and how much sellers are asking. Also, search for Pyrex on Replacements,LTD. A quick search on that site shows that the patterns Butterprint and Gooseberry Pink, both released in 1957, are commanding the highest prices.

You can also follow the social media accounts of Pyrex collectors and sellers like PyrexTherapy or search for the hashtag #pyrexforsale.

What to Do if You Think You Have Pyrex That’s Worth Money

If you do have your grandma’s Pyrex and discovered that it’s worth something, the first thing you need to do is decide if you really want to sell it. The sentimental value of the bowl or its functionality as a usable piece may prompt you to keep it.

If you decide to sell your Pyrex, selling on eBay is always a good choice, provided you can package it carefully to ensure it arrives undamaged. Facebook’s local marketplace is another option if you want to avoid packing up the item. And, if you get the Pyrex bug after finding a buyer for your one piece, you can join groups like Pyrex Collectors. The group does not allow sales, but you’ll be able to learn a lot from the thriving group of Pyrex hunters.