Mason Jar Prices?

Have mason jar prices been going up lately? I know canning is making a resurgence. A few weeks ago I was at an auction where 10 Blue "Ball Perfect Mason" jars sold for $65 + buyers premium. I've seen them at auctions before but never have really paid them much attention.

 

In the right place the blue quarts go for around $7 a piece. Zinc lids $1 each.

It would have nothing to do with canning. New jars are under $10 a dozen.

 

I would like to know where that "right place" is as I've got a collection of over 800 old mason jars (some very rare) that I've been trying to sell with very little success! LOL. Seriously though to address joe's question I have seen some very common jars go for a very inflated price for no reason other than someone wanted it badly (perhaps for a wedding or special event) and other times very good jars get passed on. It's just being in the right place at the right time with the right buyer, or if your one of the buyers the wrong place as its going to cost you. (not sure if that makes sense, still on first cup of coffee)

 

Some re-purposing could be it too...
At my Nephew's wedding in DC last February clear, and albeit new, Ball jars were the table centerpieces with a string of semi rigid wire white 'grain of wheat' or low intensity bubs or LEDs curled up in them.
They were so simple and so beautiful and anyone who wanted them at the end could take them.
I could see stepping that up with vintage blue/green ones with zinc or glass lids. There are caramel colored ones too but those seem to be rare.

 

Makes perfect sense !!!!
( coffee must be kicking in !!!! )

 

I have quite a few antique ground top zinc lid jars and a lot of folks are re-purposing them. I took some lovely whittled aqua ones and planted herbs in them and have them in my kitchen window. Lot's of ideas on Pinterest.

 

Please check those lids and jars and educate yourself on them as there are some that can be very hard to find and worth a bunch just by themselves. I've seen too many very rare items destroyed unintentionally. I have some jars in my collection that are 2,3 & 400 + in value and lids that are 30 -50 by themselves to a serious collector. Just a suggestion!

 

Hi,
I wish Don was here. He was a whiz on canning jars like Coreya. I was not an expert on them but I did make a lot of money on them. My best was 6K for one jar which I bought for 25 cents.
greg

 

Kudos to what Coreya said. I have been digging and collect bottles for over 40 years and all my rarities are displayed but not re-purposed. I used the common but antique jars for my herbs.

 

I got one with the zinc lid as a freebie about a month ago. I doubt it was one of the "good" ones; it's now in a friend's house. She has the whole red/white/blue Americana decor thing going, and it just fit right in. I've seen some of the common ones drilled and turned into light fixtures.

 

I have found a way to make the common quarts worth nearly $100

 

The blues have taken a remarkable raise around here too. Current going rate at auctions is $8-10. Not many years ago they wouldn't have gotten a bid, unless they were unusual.

I was told that they are currently fashionable at wedding receptions as mentioned above. The ones labelled 'Perfect' are especially desired.

 

lol