How do you get an irridized finish

[Pam]

I came across this amazing bead (in my humble opinion)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15641503

and was wondering just how this effect could be achieved.
Any clues?

[Isabelle]

 Oh yes, that's a beauty!! It's reduction, -  almost definitely DH glass, possibly more than one of them. If I had to put money on it, Triton and/or Psyche.

[Caroline]

i think that might be a DH odd lot, I'm almost certain it looks like some i have

[Pam]

I was wondering if some chemicals were used, maybe some sort of fuming.

[Mary]

It might actually be iridized, that is done with a very noxious spray in the kiln. That's how Abelman glass is made,including the beads.

[garishglobes]

Looks irridized to me - the finish doesn't seem to follow the patterns of the glass. I'd love to have a go at this, but I think I probably have enough noxious stuff lying around already!

[Isabelle]

oh, I never thought of it being sprayed on! Sounds nasty!! But it is gorgeous.

[Mary]

Yep, that's how they do vases and sheet glass etc. I don't think it's something to attempt at home!

[Sherry Bellamy]

Irridizing is done with stannous chloride, and it's deadly dangerous stuff. It's really not something to attempt in a home situation.

[Pam]

Thanks for the replies. I was guessing some sort of chemical was used. Sad its a deinate no no but hay ho some beads are just there to be admired from safe distances  .

[Chameleon]

it could be an amber base with shards of DH and trails of it ?

[Redhotsal]

I can make a bead that looks like that - (not that I would ever COPY it  ).
Here's how:
Make a long bicone out of Double Helix Triton. Better still make a long bicone out of grotty glass you don't like and then encase in a thin layer of Triton (as it's very expensive stuff). Or you could try Pysche - would probably work just as well.
Dribble fine stringer of the same (Triton or Psyche) in thin lines around the bicone. Gently Fume the edges with GOLD. Don't over fume as this will cause a cloudy reaction with the reactive glass.
Lightly reduce to irridescence.
Bob's yer nob.....

[Pam]

Wow thanks Sal, I certainly was thinking along the line of fuming with gold.
I just love the colours in this bead, not struck on the shape or even the trailing its the intensity of the irridescence.
Any recommended books on fuming  well while we are on the subject

[Sulis (Hazel)]

I'm not sure on books on fuming, but I know that Di East does a fabulous fuming kit which is inexpensive  It comes with instructions too. But you have to make sure if you're doing any fuming that you have reasonable ventilation.

[Pam]

Thanks Hazel, I bought my fuming kit from Diearlier in the year just need to pluck up courage etc. Would love to get my hands on a decent book-chrissy pressie maybe