Carolyn Sawyer on mon 27 sep 99
Dear Gurus,
I have found an old recipe that calls for Magnesium Zirconium Silicate. What
does it do and is it safe? I also have access to Uranium....how safe is that
to handle, fire, etc....? What does it do in a glaze?
Many thanks again!
Carolyn
Campobello SC
Also, is there anything that can be adjusted or added to a glaze that goes on
chalky to make it smoother? I really like Maija but it is difficult (for me)
to apply. I want all my glazes to go on as smoothly as Val's #71 (I can
always dream).
NakedClay@aol.com on tue 28 sep 99
In a message dated 9/27/99 11:37:27 AM Pacific Daylight Time, CSLPZZN@aol.com
writes:
> I also have access to Uranium....how safe is that
> to handle, fire, etc....? What does it do in a glaze?
---------------------------
If I recall correctly, it's illegal to possess uranium! It's highly
radioactive, and may be harmful just to look at it!
Before the current laws were passed, potters used uranium oxide (in very
small quantities) as a glaze melter, and to provide a very fine sheen to a
high-fire glaze. I don't think (one of our elders can correct me on this) it
lent to the coloration of a glaze.
Milton NakedClay@AOL.COM
Checking the Geiger Counter! Ironically, there's a PBS program about the
development of the atomic bomb as I write this!
Cindy Strnad, Earthen Vessels Pottery on wed 29 sep 99
Uranium is the oxide which gives the antique orange glassware its color,
unless I'm mistaken. At any rate, the Carnival ware and others do contain
uranium (and I would *never* eat from them.) Even degraded (non-radioactive)
uranium is less than safe, particularly for use in food ware, as it is,
essentially, lead.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
Custer, SD
Hank Murrow on wed 29 sep 99
>If I recall correctly, it's illegal to possess uranium! It's highly
>radioactive, and may be harmful just to look at it!
>
>Before the current laws were passed, potters used uranium oxide (in very
>small quantities) as a glaze melter, and to provide a very fine sheen to a
>high-fire glaze. I don't think (one of our elders can correct me on this) it
>lent to the coloration of a glaze.
>
>Milton NakedClay@AOL.COM
Hi; I used Uranium oxide while at Anderson Ranch in the early 70s
to give a very bright yellow-green at C/10 reduction in a calcium matt
glaze. I imagine it was illegal and son't use the material any more. Hank
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