What is fume?
Fume is the result of sublimating of a precious metal, like silver and gold. To do this, a small piece of silver or gold is placed in the bottom of the flame and brought to a quick boil. The gasses produced by sublimation are carried onto the glass by the flame, gathering a layer of solidified metal spread. At a molecular level, each metal will affect light in a certain way, creating a unique array of color. Metals react differently to flame chemistry and heat environment, so the results are magically unique each time. I primarily use gold and silver in my work.
For lessons in glass fuming, please email me.
An implosion made with gold fume and clear glass.
Gold likes a little more oxygen than propane in the flame; spraying from a light transparent rose color, to deep purple, to metallic gold sheen; depending on the saturation. Gold does not change much from it’s original encasement.
A piece of Canadian river gold.
A honeycomb made using only clear glass and silver fume.
Silver will fume under various flame environments, but the best results often come from a propane rich, low-force, flame. The colors that come from silver can vary from white, to every color of the rainbow; depending on how the artist uses it.
A well fumed piece of Canadian silver, used to create the honeycomb pictured to the left.