Any tips for deep encasement of opals in marbles?

[DonP]

I use opals a bunch in pendants and as attachments on pipes and they look great. But pretty much every time I try to put one deep inside a marble it loses its fire. Looks almost like there is a haze on the surface of the opal. I can't seem to get a photo to upload right now best I can do is a link to the photo https://drive.google.com/open?id=1TdjYARktDg_OZYL5gjN76K2-c-XFvr3v thanks for any ideas..

Don

[Mute]

my guesses would be dirt or salt

[rez cash]

Do you all clean your opals when you get them? I do..

I'd say too much heat. I would try working slower and further back in the flame. Can you see what point in the process it's happening?

[Jackass Glass]

Do you all clean your opals when you get them? I do..

I'd say too much heat. I would try working slower and further back in the flame. Can you see what point in the process it's happening?

i clean them prior to use, meaning moments before i drop it into the tube to encase.

[BORO]

If you drop the opal into a hot tube, the cold opal will scuzz more. If you drop the opal into a cold tube and slowly bring it up, they look way better.

Same as a blow out. If the outer sleeve is not as hot, you trap lots of air bubbles. If they are similar temps you trap way less.

I could be nuts, but it makes the difference for me. I also have very dirty hands and I never wash my opals. I know I should, but I never get anything but the occasional trapped air bubble.

Also, if you can make them work in smaller marbles, why not build it small then add a big Lenz?

[Jackass Glass]

If you drop the opal into a hot tube, the cold opal will scuzz more. If you drop the opal into a cold tube and slowly bring it up, they look way better.


interesting.

[hashmasta-kut]

If you drop the opal into a hot tube, the cold opal will scuzz more. If you drop the opal into a cold tube and slowly bring it up, they look way better.



Or gently heat the opal/bushy flame, and drop it in the warm tube.

[AxisWolf]

too much heat for sure. darker shaded opals will show it 100% of the time if they were cooked out. I treat opals similar to fume work, if the glass becomes liquid gobbing it will most likely burn out the fume/opal.

[DonP]

Thanks for all the replies. I do clean them and they look great in pendants. I was thinking to much heat just not sure how to make the marbles without that much heat.


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