In glass, this color is illusive and expensive to produce. In the past, Rubino Oro or Ruby Gold required gold to be added to the glass to create the ruby tones. Check out this article on the color elements in glass making.
As beadmakers, using the traditional formula restricted us in combining the glass with silver glass as the reactions resulted in muddy browns which basically defeated the purpose of using it in the first place.
For Double Helix, this recent offering called Rhea was a welcome addition to the beadmaker's palette. This glass was developed as a "lead free gold ruby that plays well with silver colors and survives a reduction flame without discoloration".
Jean at Nortel gifted me a couple of rods for testing and I am pleased to share the details of the results.
First up, this big hole bead has ends of Rhea with the centre created with multiple layers of Psyche and Zephyr. Each layer was reduced and encased to create depth in the dots that almost seem to be floating around the centre of the barrel bead.
A few wraps of 99% fine silver wire finished off the bead ends.
As you can see, the ruby glass stayed true to color with no brown muddy reaction.
Below are a few more beads from the session.
Left Bead: Barrel BHB with a base of Rhea wrapped in silver foil and encased with another layer of Rhea. Melted ends with scroll and heart decorations of reduced Aurae Light.
Middle Bead: Alternate view of the bead described above.
Right Bead: Zephyr base with wrap of silver foil. Encased in Rhea with end cap wraps of 99% fine silver wire.
Based on these results, I suggest everyone try out a rod or two of this ruby color.
Reach out to Jean at Nortel to order!
Happy Weekend!
D.
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