Before you load another box of Grandma’s kitchen things into the car for the donation center, give it a second look. Some of the pieces that came out of her cupboards, the ones that held a hundred Sunday casseroles, are showing up in online listings and auctions with surprising price tags. A word of caution first: most of the numbers below are asking prices or single sales reported by outlets such as Tasting Table and Don’t Waste Your Money, not appraisals, and condition changes everything. Treat them as a reason to look closer, not a promise of a payout. Here are seven pieces worth checking.
Vintage Pyrex
Start with the bowls on the top shelf. In a story that first ran on Don’t Waste Your Money, appraiser Dr. Lori pointed to a listing of $295 for a set of four vintage Pyrex mixing bowls on eBay, noting that rarity and condition affect price and that the turquoise diamond, snowflake and Cinderella patterns are the most sought after.
Tasting Table reported in August 2025 that a single rare item can fetch about $100 and full sets several hundred, with a “Lucky in Love” casserole reaching $5,994 at a Goodwill auction. That is an unusual result, so do not count on it. Flea Market Insiders says complete sets are worth more than individual pieces and that you should check for rim chips, faded patterns and original lids. Wash gently by hand, skip the scouring pads and keep the pieces together if you can.
Griswold and Wagner Cast Iron
That heavy black skillet in the bottom drawer could be the biggest surprise of all. Tasting Table lists a rare Griswold number 2 skillet with a slanted logo as sold for $1,200, and a Wagner skillet sold for $999, with a Griswold “spider” skillet listed at $8,000. It adds that pieces marked “ERIE, PA” made before 1957 are especially valuable, and that rusty or crusty pieces can be restored.
Those are headline numbers. Flea Market Insiders puts it more modestly, saying a well preserved Griswold skillet can fetch “several hundred dollars,” with rare sizes going considerably higher at specialist auctions. It recommends looking for a clear, legible heat ring, a smooth interior that is not pitted, and no cracks or repairs. Turn the pan over and look at the markings before you scrub or donate anything. Even if it is not a rare one, a good skillet is still a cooking tool that can last another century.
CorningWare in the Right Pattern
The little white casserole with the blue flowers is everywhere, so it is easy to overlook. Don’t Waste Your Money reported a $2,500 asking price on Etsy for a La Marjolaine CorningWare dish, according to Dr. Lori, and noted that value is driven by pattern, with 1970s patterns popular and the blue cornflower design easy to find.
That is the key point. Flea Market Insiders notes that CorningWare was introduced in 1958 and that Cornflower Blue sells at the lower end, while patterns such as Spice of Life, Floral Bouquet and Black Starburst attract more interest. Original boxes and matching lids add value. So before you decide a casserole is just another casserole, check the pattern name on the bottom and see whether the lid is present. A missing lid can make a big difference.
Uranium Glass in Soft Green
If you have a pale yellow green dish that looks a little like lemon pudding, it could be uranium glass, sometimes called Vaseline glass. Don’t Waste Your Money cites a refrigerator dish in this style listed for $98.49 on Etsy. According to Dr. Lori, authenticity can be checked under a black light, and big name makers such as Fenton and Anchor Hocking are the most valuable.
That is a helpful tip for anyone sorting a cupboard. Rather than guess, check the maker’s mark on the bottom, and if you own a black light, hold it over the dish in a dark room to see whether the glass glows. Keep the pieces wrapped separately, because glass chips easily and condition always matters when a collector is deciding what to pay. If you spot several matching pieces from the same maker, set them aside together and take a photo of the marks before you sell, donate or pack anything.
Ball Mason Jars in Rare Colors
The jars in the basement that held a generation of strawberry preserves may be worth a look. Tasting Table reports that a single Ball jar can go for over $100 and rare examples for up to $2,000, depending on age, color, size and imperfections. Rare colors such as dark green and purple, along with misprints, raise prices, and blue Ball jars are the most sought after. The outlet notes these figures come from online and antique store prices without a specific source named.
That is worth keeping in mind, because plenty of Mason jars are common. Still, a quick look costs nothing. Check the color by holding the jar up to the window, look for lettering or a logo that seems different from the ones you see on modern jars, and note any bubbles or flaws, since the same article says imperfections can matter. Even if they are not worth a fortune, old jars are a charming way to store pantry staples or hold a fall bouquet.
Waterford Crystal Stemware
The champagne glasses that came out once a year for New Year’s Eve deserve a careful look. Don’t Waste Your Money cited a set of four Waterford Crystal champagne glasses listed at $335 on Chairish, and Dr. Lori said to look for clarity, light catching ability and a silvery sheen.
A reality check is in order, though. Yahoo Finance describes chinaware and glassware generally as almost impossible to sell, so the brand name and the condition matter a great deal here. Check the rims for chips by running a fingertip around them and hold each glass up to the light to see if it is clear and without cloudiness. Look for a Waterford mark on the base. If your set is complete and in fine shape, it may be one of the exceptions. If not, it might still be worth keeping for the next holiday dinner.
Le Creuset Dutch Ovens in Rare Colors
Enameled cast iron has its own fan club. Tasting Table lists a rare Le Creuset bean pot at about $300, a petite fruits pattern that fetched $400, a pink Raymond Loewy pot listed at $800 and a brown Enzo Mari “La Mama” listed at $550. For comparison, it says new models run $200 to $900.
The outlet says to check the interior enamel for cracks or chips, and that discontinued colors and designer collaborations are the most valuable. If you have a pot in an unusual shade, such as an old orange or a pastel, take a careful look at the bottom for the maker’s marks. Even an ordinary pot is still a cooking tool with a long life ahead of it, so if it is not selling for a high price, you can simply keep making soup in it.
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