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Iridescence: The Color on Top
By Fred Stone
There are four types of iridescence commonly associated with Carnival Glass: Satin, Radium, Pastel & Electric. Four additional terms and their definitions will also be discussed: Dry, Electric Pastel, Pumpkin and Stretch. It is my hope that this article will provide a frame of reference that can be used by collectors to accurately portray distinctive qualities of iridescence by identifying them. Photos are used to help visualize the important aspects of each type of iridescence.
SATIN
Satin iridescence is probably the most commonly found on Carnival Glass pieces. Every manufacturer made Carnival with this iridescence. Satin iridescence is smooth, like satin, with a sparkle or glow like the
sheen of the fabric. This glow gives satin iridescence life. It can be
a single color or many colors. The most desirable pieces will have this
glow evenly placed on the piece. It should be opaque - you shouldn’t be
able to see through it except where it is weak or thin.
 
Fig. 1 - Example of Super Satin Iridescence on a Millersburg Peacock & Urn with Green base glass.
Fig. 2 - Example of Satin iridescence on a Millersburg Trout & Fly Amethyst
Ice Cream Shape.
Radium
Radium iridescence was a specialty of Millersburg and they certainly made more of this iridescence treatment than any other manufacturer. Fenton and Imperial made a modest amount of Carnival which has the same qualities as Millersburg Radium and these pieces should also share that designation. Northwood and Dugan made some pieces of Carnival in a Radium finish, but not near the quantity of the other three primary Carnival Glass manufacturers. Radium iridescence is a very shiny, "watery" treatment. The iridescence is transparent so that the observer can easily see the base glass underneath. Due to the transparent nature of the iridescence, many Millersburg marigold pieces will appear almost clear until you tilt the piece so that light is reflected back just from the surface - then you see a multitude of pinks and blues. In some cases the radium finish is so heavily applied or is so heavy toward the gold tone that the base glass color is difficult to see. But in all cases, Radium has that "watery" and shiny finish.
  
Fig. 3 - Marigold Radium finish on a rare shaped Millersburg Holly Sprig bowl. Notice the watery finish. You can easily see through the iridescence to the wide panel pattern on the back and the material underneath.
Fig. 4 - Green Radium finish on a super Millersburg Nesting Swan piece. Note the geometric pattern showing through to the front.
Fig. 5 - An example of Fenton’s RADIUM Marigold iridescence. This is a Stag & Holly Nut Bowl Shape.
Pastel
Pastels were a specialty of the Northwood company and they made the bulk of it. A comparatively small amount of true pastel was made by Fenton, Imperial and Dugan among the Big Five Carnival Glass manufacturers. Millersburg made a little, and the other companies, such as Fostoria, made varying amounts. Pastel iridescence can be similar to Satin or Radium. Two qualities set it apart: First, the overall effect of the piece is a very light color in overall appearance including the base glass. Ice Blue, Ice Green, White, Lavender, Smoke, Aqua Opal and true Pastel Marigold are the main colors considered Pastel although Fostoria did make quite a bit in Pink. Second, pastel Iridescence has Pinks, blues, AND yellows, with very little if any Marigold. A silvery iridescence without the requisite colors could be considered a poor pastel, but we prefer to use another term - silvery - a term everyone understands. Marigold on pastels is frequently referred to as Butterscotch and can be in varying amounts from light to heavy. When Butterscotch becomes heavy, the iridescence shouldn't be called "Pastel" any longer, but should be strictly "Butterscotch."
 
 
Fig. 6 - Pastel Ice Blue Northwood Peacock & Urn Master Ice Cream bowl. Note that with a dark background the pinks, blues and yellow of true PASTEL iridescence show very well.
Fig. 7 - Pastel Ice Green Northwood Peacock & Urn Master Ice Cream Bowl.
Fig. 8 - Pastel Lavender Millersburg Trout & Fly Ice Cream Bowl. Note that on a light background the Pastel Iridescence doesn’t show well.
Fig. 9 - Pastel Marigold Millersburg Peacock Mystery Bowl. Note that the
requisite pinks, blues, yellows are all present and Marigold does not
predominate - the background especially is pastel.
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