wondering...is it in poor taste to let maganese glass turn purple?

[moodorf]

I really love the shades of purple this glass can turn, but I read some articles online saying that this type of glass turning purple from sun exposure is technically damaging it. Also, apparently some people are...intentionally irradiating it artificially? I was just wondering people's opinions on this. I kind of want my glass to turn purple, but not that garish shade I see in some pictures (I'm assuming this is the irradiated variety?)

 

[UncleBruce]

It is a process that can be reversed with high temps like a kiln.
I for one don't support the artificial enhancement of the color, but there are a lot of folks that like these irradiated bottles. Natural enhancement from exposure to the sun over a long period of time will give an attractive amethyst tint to the glass (SCA sun colored amethyst). I don't mind that. It's the dark purple that is unnatural, so I personally frown on that practice.

 

[hemihampton]

If it's all natural I don't mind it & have found Glass in Dumps like this But I & I think most People don't like the darker artificially irradiated Glass. LEON.

 

[bottle-o-pop]

It is a process that can be reversed with high temps like a kiln.

Hi UncleBruce, have you done this or met anyone who did?

 

[saratogadriver]

Generally in the community the artificial coloring of the glass using irradiation (often food treating equipment) is considered a negative, especially when the person is selling the stuff by the gross on Ebay and not telling anyone that it's not original.

Most of us find the gentle SCA of a bottle that sat on the surface for a long time a plus. But, like with any other hobby on the planet, there are many differing opinions.

Jim G

 

[UncleBruce]

Hi UncleBruce, have you done this or met anyone who did?

Jim Eifler and company did this using a KILN. Gradually increasing the temp then letting it cool slowly and it turned the glass back to clear. There used to be some images on the FOHBC web site.

 

[moodorf]

Since we're on the subject, how long of a time frame would it take for this type of glass to turn purple if left in a sunny windowsill? weeks? months? years?

 

[UncleBruce]

Since we're on the subject, how long of a time frame would it take for this type of glass to turn purple if left in a sunny windowsill? weeks? months? years?

Not to be funny, but yes. It is dependent on the time of exposure and the percentage of manganese in the glass.

 

[UnderMiner]

The bottle on the left I found under mud, it was never exposed to sunlight in the 100+ years it was buried, the bottle on the right I found on the surface exposed to alot of sunlight.

I always liked the pink version better because while the clear one was protected in the mud the pink one watched some 120 years pass in full view of the sun, I just always thought knowing that made it more interesting... because it is much more difficult for bottles to survive on the surface as that one did.

The clear bottle in situ on the left while the pink bottle in situ on the right. Both bottles were produced for David Mayer, he was an ex-Confederate soldier who moved to the Bronx, New York to seek his fortune (a reverse Carpet Bagger).

This being said I only prefer pink/purple bottles if they are produced naturally as this color is testament to their survival in the hostile conditions of the surface.

 

[Strapside]

I really love the shades of purple this glass can turn, but I read some articles online saying that this type of glass turning purple from sun exposure is technically damaging it. Also, apparently some people are...intentionally irradiating it artificially? I was just wondering people's opinions on this. I kind of want my glass to turn purple, but not that garish shade I see in some pictures (I'm assuming this is the irradiated variety?)

It's not for me!