What Is The Best Glass For Making Beads, And What Is Glass Compatibility?
The Many Types Of Glass For Beadmaking
Once you have the necessary equipment to start bead making, you will need some glass to work with. At first glance, the selection of glass available can be a little overwhelming; there are many different manufacturers and types of glass, each with their own pros and cons, and not all glasses can be used together.
One question a lot of beginners ask is "which type of glass should I use?". Unfortunately, there is no simple or correct answer. Most lampworkers tend to learn their trade using a particular sort of glass and stay with it as they become more proficient. This is why you will often see conflicting opinions over which type "is best" - people will state a preference based on the glass that they are used to working with.
This guide will give you a brief overview of the main types of glass, compatibility and the main brands available.
One question a lot of beginners ask is "which type of glass should I use?". Unfortunately, there is no simple or correct answer. Most lampworkers tend to learn their trade using a particular sort of glass and stay with it as they become more proficient. This is why you will often see conflicting opinions over which type "is best" - people will state a preference based on the glass that they are used to working with.
This guide will give you a brief overview of the main types of glass, compatibility and the main brands available.
Opaque & Transparent Glass
Most glass you can buy will be either transparent or opaque. The difference between the 2 is quite simple - transparent glass will allow light to pass through it, whereas opaque glass will not! When making your beads, the degree of transparency will be affected by the colour and amount of glass used. Beads can be crafted solely from transparent or opaque glass, or you can use both together to produce many different effects, as shown in the pictures below. You will often need to employ a technique known as 'striking' to achieve transparent red, orange and pink colours.
The clear and purple transparent glass used to make these beads allows light to pass through.
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Opaque glass can be used to make a solid 'block' of colour.
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A combination of transparent and opaque glass can be used to add layers of light and dark, with clear decorative lines and shadows.
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What is Striking Glass?
When buying glass rods to make your own beads, at some point you will come across the term 'striking colour' or 'striking glass'. It is important to note that this is not a description of the colour itself, but rather a description of how the glass reacts when heated. Whilst most glass appears to change colour in a flame, it will normally return to its original colour once cooled; striking glass will change colour when heat is applied and remain that colour.
In order for you to create glass beads comprising transparent shades of yellow, orange or red, or certain opaque pinks, you will need to use a striking glass technique. The following video shows striking glass being used to create a bead:
In order for you to create glass beads comprising transparent shades of yellow, orange or red, or certain opaque pinks, you will need to use a striking glass technique. The following video shows striking glass being used to create a bead:
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Using Striking Glass
To get the expected colour from striking glass, it must be heated, slightly cooled and then gently reheated. This process causes the glass to change colour, and is known as striking. Temperature plays a crucial role during the striking process:
If not enough heat is applied to the glass, the full colour may not be achieved, meaning that the glass is not fully 'struck'. This can be problematic if you subsequently anneal the glass in a kiln - the prolonged heat exposure could finish the 'striking' process which will change the final colour of the glass.
If too much heat is applied, the glass can overheat. The chemical reaction that takes place to change the glass colour can 'fail', resulting in colourless glass, or scorching, where the glass blackens and assumes a burnt appearance.
Although it sounds quite complicated, after some practice, you should become proficient in using striking glass colours.
If not enough heat is applied to the glass, the full colour may not be achieved, meaning that the glass is not fully 'struck'. This can be problematic if you subsequently anneal the glass in a kiln - the prolonged heat exposure could finish the 'striking' process which will change the final colour of the glass.
If too much heat is applied, the glass can overheat. The chemical reaction that takes place to change the glass colour can 'fail', resulting in colourless glass, or scorching, where the glass blackens and assumes a burnt appearance.
Although it sounds quite complicated, after some practice, you should become proficient in using striking glass colours.
These are all red striking glass rods. The red rods are from Reichenbach, and the pale yellow rods are from Effetre. Notice how the heated tips have become 'struck' and changed colour.
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These transparent red beads were made from the Effetre striking colour glass rods in the previous photo. The glass has changed from yellow to red.
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What Is CoE? (Co-efficient of Expansion)
When purchasing glass you will come across the term CoE, and a number. Lampworking glass is normally listed as CoE 33, 90, 96 104 & 120. This term relates to the co-efficient of expansion of that particular glass rod.
When glass is heated it will expand at a certain rate. Likewise, as glass cools, it will contract in size. The rate of expansion and contraction is known as the CoE. If 2 or more types of glass with differing CoEs are melted together, they will cool and contract at different rates. The difference in rates can cause internal stresses, which can result in incompatibility cracks. Incompatibility cracks are erratic wiggling or curving lines throughout the bead. Using glass with the same CoE can help minimise the risk of such cracks occurring.
When glass is heated it will expand at a certain rate. Likewise, as glass cools, it will contract in size. The rate of expansion and contraction is known as the CoE. If 2 or more types of glass with differing CoEs are melted together, they will cool and contract at different rates. The difference in rates can cause internal stresses, which can result in incompatibility cracks. Incompatibility cracks are erratic wiggling or curving lines throughout the bead. Using glass with the same CoE can help minimise the risk of such cracks occurring.
Glass Compatibility
There are many other factors involved in determining whether different types of glass will be compatible. Simply matching CoEs will not guarantee compatibility. Unfortunately, even glass that is sold as the same CoE can sometimes be incompatible. This may be a known issue or just a 'duff batch' of glass. If you are experiencing such problems, I recommend you visit one of the lampworking forums such as frit-happens or do a general internet search to see if anyone else is experiencing similar issues.
However, as a beginner, my advice is to start with a batch of glass rods that share the same CoE from the same manufacturer, assume that they are compatible and confirm through making a few sample beads.
However, as a beginner, my advice is to start with a batch of glass rods that share the same CoE from the same manufacturer, assume that they are compatible and confirm through making a few sample beads.
Brands / Manufacturers
We have seen that glass rods come in transparent and opaque forms, and that the glass rods can have differing co-efficient of expansion figures, so now we can look at some of the main manufacturers of glass that you are most likely to come across.
Effetre
Effetre is an Italian company (known as Moretti in the USA) that make glass rods with a CoE of 104. Their products are readily available in the UK, are reasonably priced and come in a wide range of colours. In addition to Transparent and Opaque rods, they also offer the following additional types:
Filigrano - A rod with an Opaque core that is surrounded by clear glass. Useful when making floral or certain lined patterns.
Opalino - Soft opal-like colours that can appear mid way between transparent and opaque.
Stringers - Like normal glass rods, only thinner. Stringers are used for adding decoration more quickly and thinly than rods.
Most of my work includes Effetre 104 glass.
Double Helix
Double Helix specialise in producing reactive silver glass, CoE 104. This glass requires special treatment to extract the beautiful colours and lustre finishes associated with it.
I played around with a couple of rods of Double Helix when I was just starting out and found it very difficult to work with, then I attended a weekend course and it all became clearer! Please see my Blog for more information.
Bullseye
Bullseye is an American company that makes glass for many different purposes. The glass rods needed for flameworking are known as accessory glass, and have a CoE of 90. Bullseye produce a wide range of colours, but there are very few providers in the UK. If purchasing Bullseye glass in the UK, I highly recommend Warm-Glass, located near Bristol, UK.
Creation is Messy (CiM)
Creation is Messy is based in Seattle, USA, but produce their glass rods in China. CiM glass can be more expensive than Effetre and many of the colours are limited runs however, the colours are more varied and offer a dramatically expanded colour palette to choose from. Specialising in CoE 104 their glass is compatible with other companies such as Effetre and Double Helix.
Reichenbach
Reichenbach is based in Germany, and create beautiful glass for several production techniques. Their lampworking glass is available in CoE 96 and 104. With a rich saturation of colour and some speciality reactive glasses, the Reichenbach collection is well worth a look.
Lauscha
Lauscha is another German based glass manufacturer that offers some unique colours not found in other manufacturers palettes. Their glass rods are made to CoE 104, but can be quite difficult to obtain in the UK. Their primary UK supplier can be found here.
TAG (Trautman Art Glass)
Tag are an American based company that produce high quality glass rods, available in CoE 33 and 104. Like Double Helix, many of their glasses are reactive, striking or reducing meaning that they must be heated, cooled and then bathed in specific torch conditions to produce the full range of delicate and iridescent colours options available.
Effetre
Effetre is an Italian company (known as Moretti in the USA) that make glass rods with a CoE of 104. Their products are readily available in the UK, are reasonably priced and come in a wide range of colours. In addition to Transparent and Opaque rods, they also offer the following additional types:
Filigrano - A rod with an Opaque core that is surrounded by clear glass. Useful when making floral or certain lined patterns.
Opalino - Soft opal-like colours that can appear mid way between transparent and opaque.
Stringers - Like normal glass rods, only thinner. Stringers are used for adding decoration more quickly and thinly than rods.
Most of my work includes Effetre 104 glass.
Double Helix
Double Helix specialise in producing reactive silver glass, CoE 104. This glass requires special treatment to extract the beautiful colours and lustre finishes associated with it.
I played around with a couple of rods of Double Helix when I was just starting out and found it very difficult to work with, then I attended a weekend course and it all became clearer! Please see my Blog for more information.
Bullseye
Bullseye is an American company that makes glass for many different purposes. The glass rods needed for flameworking are known as accessory glass, and have a CoE of 90. Bullseye produce a wide range of colours, but there are very few providers in the UK. If purchasing Bullseye glass in the UK, I highly recommend Warm-Glass, located near Bristol, UK.
Creation is Messy (CiM)
Creation is Messy is based in Seattle, USA, but produce their glass rods in China. CiM glass can be more expensive than Effetre and many of the colours are limited runs however, the colours are more varied and offer a dramatically expanded colour palette to choose from. Specialising in CoE 104 their glass is compatible with other companies such as Effetre and Double Helix.
Reichenbach
Reichenbach is based in Germany, and create beautiful glass for several production techniques. Their lampworking glass is available in CoE 96 and 104. With a rich saturation of colour and some speciality reactive glasses, the Reichenbach collection is well worth a look.
Lauscha
Lauscha is another German based glass manufacturer that offers some unique colours not found in other manufacturers palettes. Their glass rods are made to CoE 104, but can be quite difficult to obtain in the UK. Their primary UK supplier can be found here.
TAG (Trautman Art Glass)
Tag are an American based company that produce high quality glass rods, available in CoE 33 and 104. Like Double Helix, many of their glasses are reactive, striking or reducing meaning that they must be heated, cooled and then bathed in specific torch conditions to produce the full range of delicate and iridescent colours options available.
Where Should I Buy My Glass, and How Much Should I Purchase?
There are a good mix of companies currently supplying a variety of glass rods and tools in the UK, including Tuffnell Glass in Yorkshire, Warm Glass near Bristol and Off-Mandrel in Scotland to name a few. Each company sells different brands of glass so it is worth hunting around until you find the best one to fulfil your needs.
Glass is normally sold by weight or as single rods, these rods come in varying thickness and colours. As a beginner, you may be best served by purchasing a mixed selection bundle, available from most online suppliers. These bundles contain a colourful choice of both opaque and transparent glass rods, and will give you more than enough stock to initially experiment with.
It is worth noting that glass rods are often hand made and different batches can be slightly different colours from each other therefore if you find a colour you especially like, it may be worth buying as much as you can afford from the same batch.
Please remember, when ordering from abroad you must factor in any additional costs such as shipping and taxes before committing to buy, as these can turn your initial 'bargain find' into quite a costly investment.
Glass is normally sold by weight or as single rods, these rods come in varying thickness and colours. As a beginner, you may be best served by purchasing a mixed selection bundle, available from most online suppliers. These bundles contain a colourful choice of both opaque and transparent glass rods, and will give you more than enough stock to initially experiment with.
It is worth noting that glass rods are often hand made and different batches can be slightly different colours from each other therefore if you find a colour you especially like, it may be worth buying as much as you can afford from the same batch.
Please remember, when ordering from abroad you must factor in any additional costs such as shipping and taxes before committing to buy, as these can turn your initial 'bargain find' into quite a costly investment.
