Double Helix Arke Rod

Arke is the production version of our most popular test batch from the 2013 ISGB Gathering, IL-581. It can develop exterior metallic finishes of silver, gold, green, red and blue.  Variations in flame chemistry, exposure time and temperature alter which metals are deposited on the surface of the glass. The green metallic finish in the photo was achieved using a "hot" reduction flame. The silver tone resulted from brief exposure to a "cool" reduction flame, while the red tones were developed by repeated reduction. Contrast between these metallic finishes can be highlighted by using a small oxidizing flame to remove the metallic luster from selected portions of the bead, then re-exposing the bead to a reduction flame, building metallic layers of alternating composition.