Fire Agates

[JHog]

Anybody ever tried to encase these?

[Mark F]

That would be cool. My Dad has a mad collection of these, but I don't think it would work , and he never let me take a sample to try.

[B.C. Creations]

i think agates have too much water in them to encase in glass. more than likely will just make it crack. who knows though??

[Pfox_64]

Ok from what i found on these 2 sites-

Agates are a form of Quartz therefore they have a different Coefficient of Expansion than borosilicate glass! So they would only work in quartz glass not your normal boro.
Peace out :peace:

http://geology.csupomona.edu/alert/mineral/quartz.htm



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[JHog]

Thanks for the replies! I got some small pieces from a gem cutter I know and will probly try one just to see. I'll let ya know how it goes. Thanks again.

[NUBBLET]

If you really wanted to , you could mix them with boro , in a ratio system to set up a "graded" seal . You would want to mix at least a 4-1 ,3-1 ,2-1 ,1-1 ,1-2 ,1-3 ,1-4 , ratios and stir real good (it is good to draw a cane down melt in back on itself while mixing and pull it down again ) then layer in successive layers , this would allow you to have say a sculpure with a boro body the grading up to a fire agate head just for one example . The concept is to create different types of glasses that are "barely" compatable with the next , I dont want to say barley because each layer is compatable with the next , but not the one after that .