Close up top to a red Le Creuset Dutch oven
Leah Berenson
Leah Berenson
September 12, 2024 ·  4 min read

20+ Classic Household Brands Whose Value Has Skyrocketed

Many household brands have been around for generations, maintaining their reputation for producing high-quality cookware and other home essentials. Some are prized for their rarity, functionality, or durability. Either way, here are 20 companies whose products have skyrocketed in value.

1. Vintage Household Brands

PARIS, FRANCE -5 JAN 2021- View of colorful enameled pots and pans in a Le Creuset store, an expensive brand of French kitchenware.
Source: Shutterstock

Le Creuset was founded in France in 1925 and has become a popular yet costly household brand. Sets are coveted for their stunning colors and the product is well known for its high heat tolerance and range in value from around $600 to around $2000.

2. Pyrex

Klang, Malaysia - 25 May 2021 : PYREX set display for sell in the shopping mall with selective focus.
Source: Shutterstock

Pyrex is another household brand that’s been around for decades. The borosilicate glassware first hit the market in 1915 and is known for having a high heat tolerance. Sets range in price but each piece averages anywhere from $100 to $500.

Read More: 18 Things That Happened in the ‘70s that You Probably Forgot About

3. 100-Year-Old Household Brand

An image of household brand Wagner's cast iron pan. Checkered rung and wooden floor in the background.
Image Credit: srahimian24 | Reddit

Wagner, a family-run business that started in 1891, eventually shut down production in 2008. However, it had a successful run for the first 50 years, and today, its rarity makes it worth a few hundred dollars, presuming the cast-iron cookware is still in good condition.

4. KitchenAid

View of a female's hand putting a paddle attachment on a Kitchenaid stand mixer.
Source: Shutterstock

KitchenAid was established in 1919 and produced mechanical egg beaters. Since then, the company has grown, to sell far more, from utensils and holders to appliances. A cookware set can range from $200 to around $500, while utensils range from $10-$30.

5. France Produces Countless Household Brands

Kitchen Michelin utensil by Mauviel at Alpaga Hotel. Megève, France 20th of January 2024
Source: Shutterstock

Another well-known and valuable household brand comes from France. Mauviel, founded in 1831 produces aluminum and copper cookware, prized for its temperature regulation.

6. Belgium Cookware

An image of a set of stainless steel or aluminum pans. White background.
Image Credit: Williams-Sonoma

Demeyere was founded in 1908 and gained worldwide fame for creating high-quality and innovative cookware that is easy to clean and holds heat, keeping food warm and fresh for longer.

7. 200-Year-Old Household Brand

An image of 4 copper pans.
Image Credit: MatferBourgeatUSA

Matfer Bourgeat has been in business since 1814, making the company over 2 centuries old. Craftsmanship and expertise are engrained into each set, ensuring durability. Interestingly, Matfer Bourgeat cookware is slightly less expensive than other household brands on the list. New, pieces are around $60-80. However, vintage sets in good condition are worth more.

8. Ruffoni

BOLOGNA, ITALY - OCTOBER 2, 2018: lights are enlightening hanging Ruffoni Copper cookware at FICO EATALY WORLD, the largest agri-food park in the world
Source: Shutterstock

Another household brand that has been popular for decades is Ruffoni, handcrafted in Italy. A new set sells for a few thousand dollars. Meanwhile, their vintage products sell for a few hundred dollars. While both are costly, many prefer them because they’re “triple-layered.”

9. 300-Year-Old Household Brand

LONDON, UK – SEPTEMBER 30, 2017: A vintage set of Salter kitchen scales from a charity auction, here isolated on white with pounds and ounces weights.
Source: Shutterstock

Incredibly, the household brand Salter was founded before the U.S. was a country. Richard Salter, the founder, created the first “spring-based scales” which have become popular for people looking to maintain their weight or bulk up. The company saw a second wind, becoming popular again in the 1950s. Additionally, some vintage pieces are popular among collectors today, selling for anywhere from $300 to several thousand dollars.

Read More: 16 Stunning Things You Didn’t Know You Could Make From Plywood

10. Unexpectedly Valuable Household Brand

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - CIRCA 1998: a postage stamp printed in USA showing an image of crayons in a box, circa 1998.
Source: Shutterstock

Crayola, founded in 1885, is a favorite household brand for teachers, parents, and students, supplying school and art supplies galore. Weirdly, antique boxes of crayons with vintage hues could be worth a few hundred dollars.

11. Jadeite 1940s

Vintage green mixing bowls with apples and oats. Wooden table in the background.
Image Credit: TheVermontCountryStore

Jadeite kitchenware from the 1940s ranges from $50 for a salt and pepper shaker set to $150 for a bread pan.

12. Household Brand No Longer in Production

A set of cast iron pans.
Image Credit: Reddit

Griswold went out of business in the late 1950s and is rare to find these days. As a result, collectors pay anywhere from $100 to $1000 a piece depending on the condition.

13. Designer Fashion

A black and white image of a woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a metal chain.
Image Credit: Pixabay

Unsurprisingly, women’s fashion can be worth hundreds if not thousands for a piece. Therefore, vintage designer brands like Chanel can be worth twice their original cost in good condition.

14. Vintage Pottery

Flea market. Very colorful ceramic cookie jar. Decorated with painted sunflowers.
Source: Shutterstock

Some people collected cookie jars, thinking they would be worth something one day. Although, like Beanie Babies, they aren’t worth a fortune, some rare jars produced by National Pottery Co., for example, can be worth $75 to $200.

Read More: 50+ Bizarre Things They Only Do In The Netherlands

15. Emerson Fans

CHANHASSEN, MN, USA - MARCH 20, 2022: Emerson Electic manufacturing facility and trademark logo.
Source: Shutterstock

Emerson, established in the late 1800s, is still a leading household brand in fans. While they’re prized, and pricey today, vintage items can also be surprisingly valuable. For instance, 1950s models in good condition can be worth over $300.

16. Hazel-Altas

Blue vintage glass cookware. Wooden table in the background.
Image Credit: Etsy

Founded in 1902, Hazel-Atlas glassware became popular following World War II, when hosting parties became more popular. While the company has since gone out of business, a set of glasses in good condition can range from $60-$300 a set depending on color rarity, condition, and number of pieces in the set.

17. Futuristic-Vintage Household Brand

Pink vintage fireplace with art and a glass door in the background.
Image Credit: Pinterest

Malm created a “futuristic” fireplace in the 1950s, when “space-age” was the trend for decor. Today, the fireplace in great condition can sell for $5000.

18. Newer yet Well-Known Household Brands

Los Angeles, California, United States - 08-24-2021: A view of several Beanie Babies toys.
Source: Shutterstock

Interestingly, TY Beanie Babies were highly sought after and collected but weren’t worth the fortune people assumed they’d be. However, some such as the Princess Diana Bear can sell for around $50 in pristine condition. Therefore, a large collection that’s in good condition could sell for a couple hundred dollars.

19. All-Clad

Orlando, FL USA - September 9, 2021: The All Clad pot and pan aisle at a Williams Sonoma store at an indoor mall in Orlando, Florida.
Source: Shutterstock

All-Clad was founded in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania in 1971. The company often collaborates with top chefs to produce high-quality and desirable cookware. As such, pans can range from a couple of hundred dollars for one to several hundred for a set.

20. Hestan-Meyer

A close up of Heston-Meyer cookware.
Image Credit: Meyerus

Hestan-Meyer was founded in 1996 and has become a leading household brand in “high-performance” cookware. The company continuously produces innovative cookware with “refined designs.

Read More: 8 Things You Can Do With Clothes That You Can’t Donate

Sources

  1. About Page.” Le Creuset
  2. 40 Things in Your Parents’ House That Could Be Worth So Much Money Today.Country Living Lauren Bettenga. March 9, 2020.
  3. 20+ Old Household Brands That Have Skyrocketed in Value.” Homehacks. Eduardo Gaskell. August 15, 2024.