Glassblowing itself has been around for centuries and it is now morphed with science, creativity and extreme technical skills into a thriving artistic practice. If you are new to flame working or a more experience flame worker choosing the right glass rod, glass tubing {or whatever tube glass that could obtaining burned through a glass torch} play an important role in using degrees in your end result.
Whether you are using a torch or are looking for the best glass rods to stand out while using a kiln, at ABR Imagery we have the top 10 glass rods brought to you by ABR—with quality, versatility, and performance in mind, allowing you to create beautiful pieces with ease and confidence!
The Importance of Glass Rod Selection
Glass rods are not the same. Or the effectiveness of the material in terms of heat response, preparation for paint and longevity in general — things that are not just part of the aesthetics. Working with high-grade glass tubing and glass tubes will give you a smooth working experience, better finishes, and help prevent cracking or stress fractures in your art piece.
Top 10 Glass Rods for 2025
These are the top glass rods making solid waves in the glassblowing world in 2025:
Northstar – NS-03 Multi
Popular with colorists for its bold transitions and user-friendly approach. It is perfect for layering and for decorations.
Simax Clear Borosilicate Rod
With its impressive optical clarity and durability, Simax is typically the material of choice for scientific glass and precision flame forming.
TAG – Experimental Colors
TAG's latest palette for 2025 offers bright saturated colors with a flame-resistant option for sculpture and detail.
Effetre Clear Soft Glass Rods
This is perfect for beadmakers and soft glass users. This Italian glass works like a dream, through COE.
Northstar – NS-45 Blue Moon
This striking borosilicate rod is rich, deep cobalt, with extraordinary performance in both sculpture and hollow work.
Rod of Lauscha, Transparent Colored
They melt like butter and are bright and transparent, so they are great for ornaments and marbles.
Simax Borosilicate Glass Tubes (Various Sizes)
Clear, uniform glass tube well suited for large format work (glass tubing and vessel work).
Greasy Hand Pulled Colors on Glass
Available in small batches these artisan rods provide vibrant colours that are well suited to bespoke and high-end projects.
Northstar – NS-65 Cherrywood
It gives nice earthy red tones and works well at different flames giving the artist some versatility.
Mixed rod packs from ABR Imagery Premium
We have carefully curated packs of the best rods available for you to experiment with or to grow your palette.
Glass Rods and Tubes, What to Choose?
COE Compatibility: Blending two COEs that aren’t compatible can cause cracking. Be aware if you are using soft or borosilicate glass.
Color Stability: Specific colors root in the kiln or change when the flame chemistry changes.
Usage: Are you doing lampworking, bead making, or functional glass blowing? Choose accordingly.
Tube Examples: For glass tubing, make sure the tube's inner and wall diameter fits the intended use.
Expert Tip
When dealing with glass rods and glass tubes, always heat slowly and rotate consistently in the flame to avoid thermal shock. For building a complex setup, one must use high quality glass tubes like Simax or Schott as they do not deform after high temperatures.
Why Buy From ABR Imagery?
For decades now, our products have been trusted by professional glassblowers, flameworkers & scientific artists at ABR Imagery. We curate the most extensive stock of top-notch glass rod, glass tubes and accessories that are chosen for quality and dependability. Plus:
- We have the newest color lines for 2025
- We ship throughout the U.S. fast!
- Endless valuable customer service from artists and experts
Final Thoughts
The right materials, whether it's soft glass beadwork or intricate borosilicate sculptures, are the bedrock of any great art project. However, investing in quality glass rods and glass tubing means less waste, better outcomes, and, most importantly, creative fulfillment.
Discover our entire range of rods & tubes at ABR Imagery and level up your glassblowing in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Q: How is glass rod different from glass tubing?
A: A glass rod is considered a solid, whereas glass tubing is a hollow object. Rods are usually used for pictorials and beads, meanwhile, tubing is convenient for vessels and functional glasswork.
Q: Can I combine glass rods of different brands?
A: Yes, provided that they have equal COE (Cake of Oxen). Combining different COEs can lead to cracking in the kiln or during use.
Q: Does this mean borosilicate glass rods are the right choice for beginners?
A: Borosilicate is more stable and stands up to heat very well compared to soft glass, making it ideal for practicing flame control. However, that requires a hotter torch setup.
Q: Do you offer studios with bulk prices for professional use?
A: Absolutely. Please reach out to our team for wholesale and studio pricing for any of the rods and glass tubes.
