Thanks to the serendipities of its chemistry, Steel Blue Opalescent is especially magical. Depending on how you fire it —and whether it’s exposed to air—it can appear as a deep teal-blue, a metallic silver-gray, or even both at once.
Overview of Color Activation
- Full fuse (around 1500 °F / 815 °C): Maintains a rich blue when capped, or viewed through clear—but when uncapped or exposed, may develop a metallic silver-gray sheen over the surface. In some cases, you’ll see a blend: silver with hints of blue. Design with covered areas—using Clear sheet, frit, or powder—retain the blue, enabling two-color designs in a single firing
- Lower temps (1250–1425 °F / 677–773 °C): The surface exposed to air is more likely to develop a distinct metallic coating
- Steel Blue Opalescent Powder (000146-0008) tends to develop a darker metallic finish more reliably at tack or sinter temps (such as 1275 °F / 691 °C)
- Learn more about Steel Blue Opalescent, including its reactive potential, in the About Our Glass section of bullseyeglass.com.
