How do I keep my red transparent?

[Dee Dee]

I have several brands of transparent, striking reds but am never able to keep them transparent.  When they go on they don't have much colour, and they strike whilst I am shaping, but when they come out of the kiln they are just about opaque.  Any thoughts?

[Mary]

Don't keep it in the kiln too long, and don't work it too long. It doesn't like being kept too hot too long. HTH!

[Dee Dee]

I will try that, thanks - fingers crossed!!

[LittleHen]

Isn't there a new non striking red available? I can't remember the name but I think it's CIM or reichenback I can't spell it but you know what I mean!
Jessie

[Trudi]

Also it helps if you work it a bit higher in the flame!

[Mand]

I fancy buying one of those red bottles of Ty Nant mineral waters and using the glass for beadies.  I wonder if that would come out clear?

[turnedlight]

I have a feeling they are red plastic covered clear glass? I might be wrong but I looked at one of those red mineral water bottles with that in mind..

[Carol]

I have a feeling they are red plastic covered clear glass? I might be wrong but I looked at one of those red mineral water bottles with that in mind..

I've not seen the bottles in real life so I wondered about this too, but I checked their website and there's a page dedicated to how they actually make the bottles, with info on how they get the colours etc., so would they bother if it was just plastic coating? Anyway here's the link:-
http://www.tynant.com/main.aspx?pID=39-0

[afina]

Steph, this usually happens, if the bead gets re-heated (glowing) several times.
Just before you start to strike the bead, the red should be all colourless and transparent. If you have red streaks at this stage, they will go opaque. When the bead is all clear and colourless, take it out of the flame and let it cool a little. After that you may only strike it, but be careful that is doesn't glow anymore.

[turnedlight]

Ooh, that web page is ineresting Carol! I hope they don't use antimony to colour the bottles! Maybe it's safe in that form.. 

[Dee Dee]

Steph, this usually happens, if the bead gets re-heated (glowing) several times.
Just before you start to strike the bead, the red should be all colourless and transparent. If you have red streaks at this stage, they will go opaque. When the bead is all clear and colourless, take it out of the flame and let it cool a little. After that you may only strike it, but be careful that is doesn't glow anymore.

Thanks Verena, I am pressing the beads, so they have been reheated several times - I would sooo love them to stay transparent - I will try again! 

[afina]

Steph, when you press them they have to be clear and colourless right before pressing - tis gives me best results. After pressing I only ever do some little surface decoration. The tricky thing is that you have to get the amount of glass you need for the press right the first time. If you add more glass after pressing, reheat and repress it will get opaque. Or if you really have to add more, you have to reheat the entire bead until it is clear and entirely colourless again, even in the core - which means it will loose its shape - then start pressing again.

[Miriam]

Have you tried Lauscha transparent red? I love this color, the rod is transparent red and you do not need to strike it. Some goes for the Lauscha transparent orange an yellow.

[Dee Dee]

Thanks for the good advice Verena, I will give it a go, fingers crossed.  And I will definitely look out for the Lauscha red etc. when I am next ordering! 

Thanks everyone!