Nebula Glass Sphere ~45mm | South Carolina | SiO2 | Hand Blown Glass Sphere

These incredible spheres are made of glass and each one is a painstaking work of art. Each sphere is made with a process called scientific blowing using a torch, rods or tubes, and molds to create the spherical shape. Each individual piece uses various minerals to create the colors in the glass. Manganese, copper, and cobalt are commonly used minerals.
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The clear glass is 70% sand and is the same glass used in beakers, medical piping, and baking pans. It’s called Pyrex glass, and yes, it’s one and the same. The blue haze you see in the center is done with a process called fuming. The glass blower will take a small piece of silver/gold and place it in the torch between the glass and the flame. The silver coats the glass and turns blue, green, or even amber depending on the metal used.