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gem jar
DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)
Spelling variants:Gem jar, Gem Jar, gem-jar
n. — Food
a canning and pickling jar (see Image 1).
Type: 1. Origin — Originally Canadian-made and similar to a Mason jar (the US term), Kilner jar (UK term) or Kerr jar, gem jars have different specifications, most importantly for the size of the jar's mouth (see the 2003 quotation). Gem jars have been used throughout Canada since at least the late 19th century (see the 1893 quotation). Until about the middle of the 20th century, gem jar was a generic term for canning jar, subsequently replaced in some areas with other terms, particularly "Mason jar".
In 1994, Bernardin, the Toronto producer of gem jars, was purchased by Alltrista Consumer Products, headquartered in the US state of Indiana. Eight years later, production of gem jar lids was discontinued, which caused international protest from home canners (Mesley et al. 2002). Since each inner lid can be used only once, canners' supplies of gem jars would be rendered useless by such move (see the 1992 and 2002 quotations). For a while, production was continued. Chart 1 shows (despite some noise from jars used to store jewellery), the term's Canadian provenance. Today, gem jar seems to be used predominantly on the Prairies, with a presence in rural Canada in general.
See also COD-2, which labels the term "Cdn".
In 1994, Bernardin, the Toronto producer of gem jars, was purchased by Alltrista Consumer Products, headquartered in the US state of Indiana. Eight years later, production of gem jar lids was discontinued, which caused international protest from home canners (Mesley et al. 2002). Since each inner lid can be used only once, canners' supplies of gem jars would be rendered useless by such move (see the 1992 and 2002 quotations). For a while, production was continued. Chart 1 shows (despite some noise from jars used to store jewellery), the term's Canadian provenance. Today, gem jar seems to be used predominantly on the Prairies, with a presence in rural Canada in general.
See also COD-2, which labels the term "Cdn".
Quotations
1893
"Take a perfectly clean gem jar and fill it three-quarters full with water, and dissolve in it half a teaspoonful of the finest sugar. [...]"
1894
From our experience of the work last winter, we found that if a butter maker finds a lot of good butter and takes a gem jar of buttermilk from that churning, then scalds the cream while still sweet to 150 [...]
1896
Choice Sweet Corn. 3 1/2c per tin.
1 Quart Gem Jar Mixed Pickles for 13c.
1 Pint Gem Jar Mixed Pickles for 7c, reg. 10c.
4 Bottles Worcester Sauce for 25c.
1901
A Toronto man has received the following invitation to go fishing from an out-of-town friend: Dear Bill,- The bugs have all been removed from the spare bed, and up behind the stable the fish worms are getting reckless, the old corkscrew still retains its points and the gem jar with the catsup contains more than air.
1907
We're Ready with Gem Jars. All sizes, pints, quarts, and half-gallons. And at each size a price that can't be bettered.
[Advertisement]
1912
We sell the IMPROVED GEM FRUIT JARS, the safest and most sanitary jars to be had.
[Advertisement]
1939
[Preserving Needs
Jar Rings, dozen . . . 5c
Gem Metal Rings, dozen . . . 22c
[Advertisement of Safeway]]
1980
Use only standard Mason or gem jars in pint or quart size. Discard any with cracks, chips or nicks. Use only new flat metal lids or rubber rings, and replace any metal bands that are bent or rusted. If using glass lids, discard any which aren't in perfect condition. Wash all jars and their accessories in hot, soapy water and rinse well in clean, hot water.
1992
FOODFINDER: A reader is looking for glass lids for her Gem jars. She'll buy them at a reasonable, negotiated price.
2002
Many of the gem jars with 78 millimetre openings are decades old and have been passed from one generation to another. The only cost of canning in them was the price of rubber-seal lids, which are supposed to be replaced with each new use.
2002
[Headline] Sask. woman starts petition after company cans product: Lid for gem jar discontinued due to low demand: Bernardin
2003
Like many of the other gem-jar enthusiasts, Ms. [Lori Blight] has an explicit preference for the middle-sized jar, which she says is better for pickles than a standard mason (70-mm) and yet has a better seal than the wide-mouth mason (86-mm).
2007
Food. 4 p.m. Sunday. Shortage of Gem jar sealer lids in Saskatchewan stores stalls the chokecherry canning season. Desperate Housewives.
References
- Mesley et al. (2002)
- COD-2
Images
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 18 Jul. 2012
