Sunday, May 15, 2011

Charles Sweigart of Reinholds, Pennsylvania passes along some science

One of the forms of mica found in nature is silver colored, Phlogopite Mica KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 is commonly called amber mica and varies in color from light silver to dark brown. Muscovite mica- KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 is another form but occurs in colors from pale green to olive to dark green and from clear to pink to red / brown.

To the best of my knowledge and research, no gold colored mica exists in nature. It would seem that some material other than mica would be used to create gold color flecks. Gold melts at about 1900 F so would not be used, as glass melts at a usually higher temperature. Please correct me if my information is in error as I am no expert in geology.

Then, Rande Bly sends this along.

Let’s have a look and have some fun. Once again…the words “Carder never” doesn’t sit well with me. I would consider the gold mica fleck 2687 bowl to be a fine example of this elusive glass type. I consider the gold mica fleck Steuben to be quite rare compared to the silver and we are safe to say Carder did make the gold.

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2011 Carder Steuben Club annual Symposium will be held at The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY from September 15-17, 2011.