Goldstone / Aventurine

Ilona · October 11, 2009, 11:23:31 AM

I have been wondering about the COE of these. I bought some goldstone from Martin and wondered what COE goldstone is. I have also had some issues with beads made with Aventurine Frit and have had to chuck some gorgeous beads away. Can anyone help.

SallyB · October 11, 2009, 11:28:22 AM

I can't help Ilona but am looking forward to reading the answer to this. I've been thinking about getting some goldstone for a while but hear it can burn and I only have a HotHead.

I hope someone chips in with some words of wisdom for you.

Sally

Magpie · October 11, 2009, 12:21:42 PM

Goldstone: no idea, but I've had no problems sticking small amounts in clear effetre and using sparingly.

Aventurine rods are bulls eye, so that's 90 or 96 or something, not 104. But with the colours that're around in bulls eye, I figured it was worth getting a rod of that, and a pack of black, white and clear, then build up rods of colours one by one. Don't know about the frit, but probably similar, use very sparingly on effetre.

Someone who knows what they're talking about will be around in a while.

H

Flyingcheesetoastie · October 11, 2009, 12:59:39 PM

Bullseye is COE 90 and I wouldn't use it anywhere near Effetre as those 14 odd points make a lot of difference!

Mary · October 11, 2009, 02:01:38 PM

Goldstone/aventurine varies. I've seen it coe90, 96 and 104, it depends where it comes from. It is basically glass with copper filings, so it depends what coe the base glass is. Effetre do rods that are encased in clear, but they are a bit shocky.

Because of how it's made it can go icky, it spreads and the copper bleeds, but if you encase it first it's fine. Stick a bit on a hot mandrel (no release) then cover it with clear (or red, or amber, or whatever!), melt it down and pull stringers.

Trudi · October 11, 2009, 04:34:43 PM

most of the chunks yo buy will be 104 as it is made ny effetre.

As Mary says - the pre-bought rods can be shocky. A bag of chunks will last for ages .............. I use an un-coated mandrel - add some clear to the rod - slowly warm up the goldstone and attach. Warm very gently in the back of the flame to smooth warn edges (not too much as prolonged time direct in the flame will burn out the sparkle. - then enccae quite thickly and pull into stringer. You don't really want it too thick - I'd say 2/3mm is ideal (for me anyway)

Now - while it's coe104 - I have used bullseye and used with no problems - but then I am pulling it quite thinly and I done lash it on BE beads!!!

HTH!

Lloki · October 11, 2009, 07:41:21 PM

I've used lots of Goldstone from Tuffnels-
I "smash" it with a hammer, to make smaller chunks (around chick pea size) and then encase the chunks with a transparent yellow/amber as opposed to clear, (I read somewhere that it helps bring out the "copper sparkles")
I'm awaiting my delivery of "bluestone" from Off-Mandrel as I type!(and I'm going to encase with a blue transparent - it's good to experiment!)
I've only used goldstone with COE104 before (both on a HH and Bobcat) but intend to to use the "bluestone" with COE104 and 90 - From what I've read, it can be considered "neutral", because it is used in such small quantities when encased and as long as the item is annealed properly there should be no problem.
I've also had experience of adventurine rods from Bullseye - they have a lovely colour, but boy, do they have "attitude" - don't mess with them!

Trudi · October 11, 2009, 09:07:00 PM

ohh I've got some bullseye aventurine and it was fine .............

Lloki · October 12, 2009, 02:05:36 AM

Was that rods or frit Trudi?
My rods are very "lumpy" feeling and shock like buggery! $:-\$ (Lovely effect though - if I get them to behave!)

Lloki · October 12, 2009, 02:18:44 AM

OMG - I've just read what I typed and it's been pointed out by a bloke how "wrong" it sounds - sorry - bloody nightshifts!

bluefairy · October 12, 2009, 07:37:29 AM

Quote from: Lloki on October 12, 2009, 02:18:44 AM
OMG - I've just read what I typed and it's been pointed out by a bloke how "wrong" it sounds - sorry - bloody nightshifts!

Yeah yeah, Cerri, no point making excuses, we all know you!!!

Trudi · October 12, 2009, 08:18:11 AM

Quote from: Lloki on October 12, 2009, 02:05:36 AM
Was that rods or frit Trudi?
My rods are very "lumpy" feeling and shock like buggery! $:-\$ (Lovely effect though - if I get them to behave!)

LOL - it was the rods I have, and it was fine. Maybe I was lucky. Perhaps you could anneal the rod, it might help!

Trudi · October 13, 2009, 01:25:52 PM

Quote from: Lloki on October 12, 2009, 02:05:36 AM
Was that rods or frit Trudi?
My rods are very "lumpy" feeling and shock like buggery! $:-\$ (Lovely effect though - if I get them to behave!)

I just realised that it was the seaweed aventurine that I tried - tis very nice!!