How to reduce

Reducing Silver Glass

The Reducing Sequence

1. Heat the bead (Triton in video) evenly to a dull red glow

2. Cool until the glow is gone, put the bead under the table to check

3. Create a reduction flame

   Four ways to create a reduction flame
   - turn down the oxygen
   - turn up the propane,
   - turn down the oxygen and up the propane
   - dial in a “dragon’s breath” flame by turn off the oxygen and pump up the propane until the propane flame raging

4. Waft the bead in and out of the reduction flame, always continue to rotate

5. Reduce in a smaller reduction flame multiple times is better than trying to reduce in a large reduction flame just once

Experiment with the length of the reduction time, different reduction flame, and/or repeat the sequence to achieve different effects. Note that some reducing silver glass reduce quickly (and over reduce just as quickly) while some require a larger reduction flame and/or multiple passes through the reduction flame. Most Double Helix reducing silver glasses fall in the middle.

“Reduction colors contain silver dissolved in the glass matrix as silver oxide (Ag2O). Upon exposure to a flame deficient in oxygen, the Ag2O gives up its oxygen to the flame, leaving behind a thin layer of metallic silver. This metallic layer can be left on the surface or encased in clear glass. A neutral or slightly oxidizing flame should be used during gathering, working, and shaping to preserve the silver in its oxide form. When the glass is ready to be reduced (after cooling) the flame is adjusted by increasing the fuel or decreasing the oxygen. The glass is then briefly exposed to this reducing flame.”

— Jed Hannay, Double Helix Glassworks

The video was from a presentation Hayley did at the 2016 International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) annual conference, The Gathering, at New Orleans. Thus the glass(es) used may not be in production anymore.

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