At the time of introduction in late 1907 the carnival glass was called as Iridescent Ware. However, people started using the name carnival glass only after collectors in the 1950s began to refer to it as such. This innovative glassware made in highly patterned moulds had a vivid metallic sheen of changing hues on pressed glass articles. Iridescent Ware got the metallic sheen from a special spray of metallic salts on the glass while it was very hot.

Carnival glass is made as both functional and ornamental objects. This is an inexpensive pressed glass and found in a wide spectrum of colors. Sometimes glass workers refer this as dope glass because the process of applying the iridescent coloring to the surface is called doping. This was made in over 150 patterns and many different pieces from the year 1907 but since it did not command the prices expected it was subsequently discounted.

This glass is available in many translucent colors like primarily amethyst, marigold, coblat, green and red. It is also made in opaque white which is also referred to as milk glass. This glass was also availale in semi-transparent or translucent pale green and was named as Vaseline or uranium glass before the harmful effects of radiation were known. Vaseline glass and uranium glass have small amount of uranium salts which make faint green glass glow on reaction with UV light.

Millersburg glass Company is one of the largest producers of this kind of glass. Crystals were the first glass products of the company. But they decided to go for iridescent glassware to ride the wave of enthusiasm. So, during the early 1910, the line of Radium Glassware was brought out by Millersburg glass Company.

Carnival glass is a collector's item. Prices of these glasses vary wildly from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. Carnival glass has become antique glass collectible and there is a good active market for it.

The identification of the glass of carnival is as an operation much difficult one. Great part of the suppliers has not included the mark of the creator in their product, while the others have made therefore only for the part of the time that have produced the glass. In order to identify this glass, one must bind together the models, colors, splendor, edges, thickness and other factors from catalogue of the old supplier, other known examples, or the other material of reference. From many suppliers the produced near copies of the popular models of theirs available again, identifying it are a challenge also for an expert.

Carnival glass is made as both functional and ornamental objects. This innovative glassware made in highly patterned moulds has a vivid metallic sheen of changing hues on pressed glass articles. This glass is available in many translucent colors like primarily amethyst, marigold, cobalt, green and red. It is also made in opaque white, which is also referred to as milk glass. Prices vary widely depending on their quality and availability. It has become an antique glass collectible. To figure out who made the glass one has to match, patterns, colors, sheen, edges, thickness etc. One of the biggest producers is millersburg glass company in Ohio.