jrgpots Posted January 18, 2014 Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 I have sand from the only mine in the world where silver is found in sandstone. The sand is a white Silica from the mine's tailings. I ran it through an #80 seive. It has fine specks of black. I took some of the black material and melted it with a torch and got tiny black shining sheres with metal flakes in each shere (see attachment). The silica melted to a white to light grey glass. I think the black material is laden with silver oxide. What do you think about the sheres? Anyone interested in trying to use some of this? Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted January 18, 2014 Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 Looks interesting. I have a bucket of rutile , Zirconium and ilmenite mined from a beach where the sand is rich in these elements. I wonder if I can replace rutile flour withthe rutile sand or perhaps may be better to use them in clay bodies. What temp do you lose siver to the atmosphere? Use as a low temp onglaze? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrgpots Posted January 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 Silver volitalizes at 3540°F which is well above cone 10. Some people try to "grow" silver crystals on glazes at cone 10 reduction. The silver has to be higher than 4% concentration for the crystals to form. Who knows what the silver concentration is in the sand I have. The larger the rutile particles, the more mottled the glaze and the less even the glaze pattern should be, I would guess. If you have a rock tumbler, you can ball mill your sand by putting some of your sand in the tumbler. Add 1/2 inch stainless steel ball bearings to the sand, then tumble for 2-3 days. Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted January 18, 2014 Report Share Posted January 18, 2014 Than Silver volitalizes at 3540°F which is well above cone 10. Some people try to "grow" silver crystals on glazes at cone 10 reduction. The silver has to be higher than 4% concentration for the crystals to form. Who knows what the silver concentration is in the sand I have.The larger the rutile particles, the more mottled the glaze and the less even the glaze pattern should be, I would guess.If you have a rock tumbler, you can ball mill your sand by putting some of your sand in the tumbler. Add 1/2 inch stainless steel ball bearings to the sand, then tumble for 2-3 days.Jed nks, haven't a tumbler, was thinking I may make a rutile rich slip and apply to areas of pots to see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.