[Jewelry making - Article 01147] - Re: [Orchid] Glass-filled rubies

[Silverspotstudio]

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>     Glass filled rubies are not the only new headache in our industry.
>     On my desk at the minute are samples of the green glass beads and
>     glass 'gems' that have supposedly been imported into the USA set
>     in 'tons' of costume jewellery - the pretty green is due to use of
>     depleted uranium. (Origin of the glass supposedly Czech Republic,
>     maybe a bit further East). These things make our lab Geiger
>     counter sound like an agitated rattlesnake.> 

    Intriguing! Although I don't deal much with precious stones or their
    imitations (fonder of cheap cabs meself), I'm always on the lookout
    for Czech pressed glass beads in a juicy, intense shade of
    yellow-green - the hallmark of uranium glass. I bought a strand of
    "Swedish fish"-shaped beads in this unmistakable color at a recent
    bead show and have been meaning to take themover to the college lab
    and Geiger them. (Don't worry, I won't wear them or chew on them or
    store them next to unexposed film - I was just curious!) 

    Allegedly, this type of glass will also glow very brightly when
    exposed to a blacklight. This might be a handier way for customers to
    detect dangerous green glass, since not so many folks have Geiger
    counters handy. 

    For a little more info on uranium glass, see 

    http://www.beadcats.com/radhaz.htm 

Cheers,
Jessee Smith
www.silverspotstudio.com

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