Item Name:
Boro Batch Tangelo & Crushed Opal Encased Tubing
SKU:
AG-TANGELO
Description:
Tangelo Crushed Opal Encased Tubing is a specialty borosilicate color tubing made by encasing crushed opal material inside a clear outer layer. The crushed opal is trapped within the wall of the tubing so it can be heated, shaped, and stretched while keeping the opal effect protected and distributed through the glass. This style of tubing is used when you want opal sparkle and depth without having to surface apply opal chips, making it a strong choice for clean, repeatable decorative sections in lampworked work. It is commonly used for blown sections, sleeving, and tubing based builds where the opal effect can be stretched into lines, swirls, and bands as the tube is expanded, condensed, or pulled down.
How it is used:
- Heat the tubing slowly and evenly to avoid creating hot spots and to keep the encasement uniform
- Rotate continuously while bringing the tube to working temperature, then expand or condense to control wall thickness and pattern density
- Blow out sections to create opal rich bubbles, then shape into components such as pendants, small vessels, or decorative sections
- Pull down into smaller tubing or cane to stretch the crushed opal effect into finer patterning for line work and inserts
- Use as a sleeve over compatible borosilicate tubing or solid stock to add an opal effect layer, then fuse and shape as needed
- Anneal finished work on a proper borosilicate schedule to relieve stress and protect the encased opal effect
