Borosilicate Glass Beads (also known as "pyrex" or "hard glass")
Borosilicate glass is colorful, more muted and beautifully earthier than the bright colors of soft glass, and is at its most vibrant when viewed in bright light or sunlight. Borosilicate glass is also very useful for both large and small sculptural works and odd shapes, since it is more resistant to thermal shock (fractures from dramatic temperature changes). It is also resistant to harsh chemicals and acids and won't etch.
I am very new to the world of Borosilicate glass (COE 33). I use Northstar and Momka`s brands. This glass is much more expensive than 'Soft' glass (COE 104), and the beads can take nearly twice as long to make. I encase most of my boro beads in clear because the colors develop and magnify better under a layer of clear glass.
Borosilicate glass is colorful, more muted and beautifully earthier than the bright colors of soft glass, and is at its most vibrant when viewed in bright light or sunlight. Borosilicate glass is also very useful for both large and small sculptural works and odd shapes, since it is more resistant to thermal shock (fractures from dramatic temperature changes). It is also resistant to harsh chemicals and acids and won't etch.
I am very new to the world of Borosilicate glass (COE 33). I use Northstar and Momka`s brands. This glass is much more expensive than 'Soft' glass (COE 104), and the beads can take nearly twice as long to make. I encase most of my boro beads in clear because the colors develop and magnify better under a layer of clear glass.
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