Eclipse Orchid Glass Testing

#0877 Orchid

A gold ruby where less is definitely more. This is a rich, dense ruby pink with warm undertones that looks its best when applied thin and not overworked.
lampwork glass beads
My favorite beads were those that used the least amount of frit. When piled densely on top of itself an almost brownish color resulted. The thinner areas gave way to a bright ruby pink, where the darker areas turned more burgundy.

Working Notes

Opacity: This is an opaque glass. A thick application over clear transmits very little light. A thin application over a darker base color stays solid and does not show the base color through.

Spread: This glass behaved itself and stayed put. It didn't really spread or sink and held its shape. If you squint your eyes and look for it, you can see a tiny bit of color pooling on the coffee bead, but for the most part it lays down where you place it and looks the same.

Futz Factor: I found this glass to be the least fussy of all the colors I tested. The un-encased stringers pulled with R100 clear have a rough texture so I encased all beads with clear to keep the surfaces shiny. I naturally worked it a bit cooler being an opaque pink and had no boiling or devit, although if left un-encased you may experience both.
lampwork glass beads

Color: This is a super dense glass that can vary quite a bit. For the most part it works up brighter than its cold color when kept thin, but more deep burgundy when layered heavily.

You can see the bi-color barrel almost turned a brownish burgundy color. At first I thought it fumed with the coffee, but the middle bead shows no such fuming. I then thought perhaps it reacted with the R100 leaded clear, but the far left bead used the exact same stringer - just on top of a white base instead of clear. My conclusion is that the glass actually reacted with itself, and the more heavily I laid it on top of itself, the darker it became and the brown undertones came through. I did work the bi-color barrel a little longer for shaping, so it is possible that spending longer time in the flame will also darken the color.

Bottom line, if you want a bright pink thin it out. Less is truly more in this case. And don't take forever, it is possible an extra long working session caused the color to go darker.

Compatibility: This is a 96 COE furnace glass. Beads were made with a combination of Reichenbach furnace glass cane, Uroboros System 96 cane, and Eclipse Glassworks frit. Small spree bead made with Effetre 104 clear to test viscosity.

glass frit


Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Eclipse Glassworks. I received some sample glass in exchange for an honest review.

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