Antique Bottle Colors Antique Bottle Colors Color is very important when classifying bottles. This page provides info and many examples of the different color names used to identify antique bottles. Clear is rare for embossed poisons. Amber and black are rare colors for fruit jars.
Cobalt blue is rare for flasks.
Color rarity has a tremendous impact on the value of a bottle. Zaffer, magnesia, copper and iron in various combinations. This color is called sun-colored amethyst is quite attractive. Some dealers will irradiate bottles to quicken the process and deepen the color. Clear bottles, especially straight-sided Cokes and Pepsi, will turn a medium to deep purple.