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Introduced as Iridescent Ware in 1907, carnival glass acquired that name unofficially from collectors in the 1950s. This marvelous glassware acquired its nickname from the metallic layer on its outside, which constantly changed colors. Iridescent Ware was made in ornately patterned molds, and was sprayed with a mixture of metallic salts before it had started to cool, which allowed for the color-changing effects that gave the glass its fame.

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 made in many translucent colors like primarily amethyst, marigold, cobalt, green, and red. It is also made in opaque white, which is referred to as milk glass. Before the hazards of radiation were well known, the glass was also made in semi-transparent or translucent pale green and was named as Vaseline or uranium glass. Vaseline glass and uranium glass contain traces of uranium salts in the glass which can make a faint green glass glow in reaction to UV light.

Millersburg glass Company, Ohio was one of the largest producers of this kind of glass. Though the first glass product of the company were crystal, the Millersburg plant decided to produce iridescent glassware looking to the popularity of it. In this way the Millersburg Company brought out its line of Radium glassware.

The prices of Carnival glass vary widely depending on their quality and availability. This glass is a highly collectible item with some of the pieces worth very little, while other, rarer items command thousands of dollars. There is a very active market for this item since it has become an antique glass collectible.

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.