The Amber Purples:

NS-13 Amber Purple, NS-26 Double Amber Purple, NS-48 Light Blue Amber Purple and NS-49 Dark Blue Amber Purple
continue to be some of the most popular NorthstarŽ colors. A "striking" color that also reduces, the effects can range
from light yellow to a deep red-amber to various shades of crimson, purple and vermilion.

To get the most exciting effects some reduction is necessary either during or at the end of making your artwork.
The trick is to burn off as much of the "haze" as possible when you are finished forming your piece and do the striking
and annealing in the kiln. The color should go into the kiln with the oxide "haze" burned off completely.

"Burning off the haze" is a term that means using a hot, "pushing", somewhat oxidizing flame to remove the faint
layer of reduced oxide on the outer surface of the glass. This layer will form when reduction occurs and reduction
usually does occur to some extent. If the glass has been worked in a reducing environment and the haze is burned
off, more vermilion and crimson will be seen. A more oxidizing environment during the working process will result in
purples more in the bluish end of the spectrum. Extreme reduction during the working process will result in ambers
and yellows if the haze is not burned off.

When burning off haze be aware that this should be done as quickly as possible in order to avoid boiling the glass
or slumping the artwork. Some practice may be necessary to train the eye to see this haze and to learn the proper
torch settings. This can be subtle. You can actually see the oxide vaporize in the "sweet spot" of the flame. You will
also need to experiment with flame settings to learn the best gas -oxy ratio and best location of the flame for haze burning.

The Rubies:

NS-07 Regular Ruby, can be flame or kiln struck. NS-07 can become over-struck and too dark (or "livery") if struck too
hot or too long as sometimes happens when working a piece in the flame for a long period of time. NS-07L Light Ruby
is designed for kiln striking and it may be difficult to get a good strike in the flame. The NS-07L can be worked a long
time in the flame, then kiln annealed for a great Ruby Red. NS-08 Dark Ruby will retain its color even if thinned or pulled
into a stringer. NS-08 can be flame struck but be careful not to overstrike. .

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