Problems with Goldstone

[Trudi]

Help ...

I've been using goldstone for ages with no problem .. but the past couple of weeks I've had issues!

I make a stringer - encasing it first, all looks lovely and sparkly. then I use it to make a bead, and parts of it just don't look very sparkly at all.

I've tried different batches
A few months ago I upgraded to a hotter torch, so I've made an effort to work it cooler and not expose the naked goldstone to the flame too much

but I'm still having the same issue  ... I can't figure it out at all.

   

Has anyone got any suggestions please?

Thanks
Trudi

[Lyn G]

I have also had problems with goldstone.  I do think it varies in its sparkliness!  Some of the strips definitely look very matt and therefore don't produce much sparkle.  It also helps to melt it further out in the flame.....but if it's not very sparkly to start with, there's not much you can do about it.   

[Trudi]

I've really never had this before .... but from the same stringer part will be very sparkling and some blugh ...

really confused!

[Trudi]

Btw ... I'm pulling my own stringer from chunks

[Lyn G]

Oh ok......I was talking in particular about the goldstone strips.  I haven't used the chunks for a while, but I don't remember having any problems with them.   

[Redhotsal]

I have this problem too - it's a mystery to me! 

[Pegasus]

YEP!
It is a bu**er for sure.

I have a collection of goldstone ribbons & also chunks and if you look carefully under very good lighting, you can see such a difference. It is as if the copper particles are different sizes, ie, the tiny particles don't seem to sparkle. Also I think that when the goldstone (chunks) are made, the copper particles settle unevenly, eg, some parts of the chunks have a lot of concentration of glittery particles & some have more clear glass & not so much copper. I have resorted to grading my goldstone ribbon into 3 categories, naff, ok & bling!!! I use the bling stuff in bigger, more expensive focal beads & the ok stuff more in small beads in sets. I have to admit I only get around 5 strips of bling stuff in about 10 bundles of ribbons, so it seems the good stuff is rare. Not much help I know but just my opinion!!

[Trudi]

I thought I was going mad ... In over 6 years this is the first time I've had this problem!

Must be lucky then ... I thought it was something to do with the hotter torch!

Thanks for sharing x

[Redhotsal]

Maybe it IS something to do with a hotter torch.... 

[Margram]

Another thought - you haven't got new reading glasses Trudi? So that you can see the detail of the sparkliness better than before, I mean?

(We can't have you any less glittery, can we! )

[Trudi]

Lol Marg

I don't wear glasses!

[Margram]

 

[hatvary]

Have the same problem have not continued because had a wrong prescribtion  for my eyes that will probrably lead up to surgery as I now have the habit of seeing double. Before never had trouble but new batch of goldstone goes green.

[Margram]

Oh no, Tina - hope you don't end up having to have surgery

[Steampunkglass]

At the risk of sounding like a total nutter and idiot (not that much ever stopped me doing that before ) .....

have you tried looking at the 'bleugh' areas under a really strong magnifying glass (or even a microscope if you can) to see if the flecks of metal in the goldstone are still there or if the hotter torch has caused them to change or even combine with the glass? 

It's a bit of a long shot but I wonder if the extra heat is altering the (if I remember right) copper particles in the goldstone?