Bad Diamond Clear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Abe from Northstar Glass]

Hello to everyone I wanted to start a thread that addresses the problem batch of Diamond Clear that people have recieved. I have got many emails but my email junk blocker is blocking some of them. So if we could start a list of people with contact info so we can send replacments as soon as we can. We know how much of this glass was released so for all you glass beaders looking for free glass do not post.LOL We love all you gals and guys and when you have a problem with our glass then we our self have a problem. Here at Northstar Glass we pride our selfs with the glass that we produce and also back it up when we need to. We all are a big family here and we need to work with each other to better the glass and the community we live in.
Peace Love and Light
Abe Fleishman
Northstar Glass

[lenora]

I sent you a PM. I got just 1/4 pound of the bad stuff. I'd be more than happy to send it back to you as proof that I got the bad stuff!! :) If you need my addy, let me know. It was in the PM.
Thanks!!!

[tiggybubba]

Abe,
When was this batch made? I bought mine from Emmanuel at Morretti glass canada and I get nothing but bubbles in it. I dont know if it is from the same batch or not. I ordered it November 2007.

[Abe from Northstar Glass]

Leslie I am not sure if they received the bad batch I will check to see if that is the answer. There was only 50 lbs of this bad glass sent out.
Abe

[suzanne]

I have to say yet again kudos for your customer support! You already have my adress and stuff but if you can't find it anymore let me know:)

[tiggybubba]

Thanks Abe.

[lldesigns]

I"m so glad it's not just me! I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong and why my encased beads were cracking. This explains it.

[Tink]

I received some Diamond Clear from Frantz mid-February, but haven't used it yet. Is there something I can look for in the rods, or should I just go ahead and melt it and see what happens?

[Hayley]

Dang - I need to try out the different batches of Diamond Clear I got! What diameter rods are we talking about, Abe?

[artwhim]

I received one pound of the bad stuff ordered from R4. Abe I sent you a PM, so you may already have my info.

Thanks for making things right for everyone!

[bead crazy]

I bought a pound from the bulk buy from R4 I get alot of bubbles but I am not real good with incasing so I thought it was from that so could you let me know if that is what the batch was.

[Jane P]

I purchased/received mine from Frantz about 3 weeks ago - is that part of the bad batch?
I pm'd you last night.
Thanks!

[beadbroad]

I got 3# of odds from R4 -- placed the order 8/31. I'm fine with the odd diameters and slightly wonky rods, but haven't been pleased with the bubbles, and hope this is the batch you're talking about. Probably have 2 1/2# left that I'd be happy to send you to swap out. Please contact me by pm and tell me where to send other contact info. Thanks for posting about this.

[GinaJ]

I received some Diamond Clear from Frantz mid-February, but haven't used it yet. Is there something I can look for in the rods, or should I just go ahead and melt it and see what happens?

You can just look at the rods, and see that they are full of tiny bubbles, all through the glass, not just on the surface. If your rods look good, then you should be ok.

[Abe from Northstar Glass]

Please send me PMs with all address info. If you bought any diamond clear over the last 8-12 weeks you are fine.
Abe

[lenora]

I already sent a PM, but haven't heard anything...I guess I'll send another one.

[flyingcorgi]

Could someone please tell me if this is the problem being discussed? I ordered a pound of Diamond Clear from Frantz on March 6th, and this is what I received. This discussion made me check my glass (this rod was cleaned first):
114493
I'm a newbie and this is my first purchase of Precision Clear so have nothing to go by. I've not melted any of it yet (not yet worthy!). I'd like to know if this is normal, or not, before I think I have some of the problem batch.

Any help appreciated!

Regards,
- Becky

[pierces*designs]

That is what mine looks like too. I haven't jumped on the return band wagon because I don't know if it is supposed to look like that.

[artwhim]

You will know if you melt some because little bubbles emerge no matter what you try to do to stop them.

[pierces*designs]

Yeah I am getting tons of bubbles, but I always assume it's cuz I suck at encasing.

[kimberly]

I don't know if I have any of the 'bad" clear or not, but I do love this clear. I thought I would tell you how I work it. I rarely have problems with Diamond Clear.

I work this clear very, very hot. When the flame first hits the glass, you will get what looks like haze or scum. It isn't. Keep heating it with a neutral to ioxdizing flame, fairly focussed, very hot and the haze will disappear. You need to keep this clear very hot until you are ready to encase. I love it for encasing very long thin beads. I need to get the tip of the clear rod WHITE HOT in order to get the particular effect I want, and so far, this is the only clear that lets me do this with no bubbles or scum at all. So, after you try working cooler, try working it much, much hotter. You might be surprised.

[PaulaD]

Thanks Kimberly!!

Paula

[pierces*designs]

I don't know if I have any of the 'bad" clear or not, but I do love this clear. I thought I would tell you how I work it. I rarely have problems with Diamond Clear.

I work this clear very, very hot. When the flame first hits the glass, you will get what looks like haze or scum. It isn't. Keep heating it with a neutral to ioxdizing flame, fairly focussed, very hot and the haze will disappear. You need to keep this clear very hot until you are ready to encase. I love it for encasing very long thin beads. I need to get the tip of the clear rod WHITE HOT in order to get the particular effect I want, and so far, this is the only clear that lets me do this with no bubbles or scum at all. So, after you try working cooler, try working it much, much hotter. You might be surprised.
Thanks Kimberly! Does your clear have all the bubbles in the rod too? I have some system 96 glass..champagne transparent and straw that have the same type of bubbling and usually they work out fine. I still suck at encasing..Probably why 99% of my beads are opaque.

[pierces*designs]

Try working cooler...

Thanks to you too Paula. I am going to play with it a little more. I'd hate to just use it as a base at this price.

[pierces*designs]

BTW, Abe, I do have a question...does this clear have silver in it? I am assuming it does because my flame turns the same purple when I use it as a silver glass.

[kimberly]

Thanks Kimberly! Does your clear have all the bubbles in the rod too? I have some system 96 glass..champagne transparent and straw that have the same type of bubbling and usually they work out fine. I still suck at encasing..Probably why 99% of my beads are opaque.


Some of it does, most of it doesn't. I haven't noticed problems with any that I have.

[artwhim]

Here are pictures of the batch I received that bubbles no matter what I do. This glass was cleaned really well before I took the photo. You can see in the photos that the problems aren't just tiny little spots. When I melted the end of a rod into a large gather lines of tiny bubbles develop inside the gather. It isn't like scum that can be removed, it is inside the gather itself.

111132111131

[squid]

All of my diamond clear looks like that.

[kimberly]

I can say that none of mine looks like that!

[PaulaD]

My batch is so clear it looks like water...

Paula

[ptrautman]

Air bubbles in the glass are not causing the boiling problem. They are two separate issues. A small air bubble will usually just "pop" out as you work the glass. Boiling is a more sinister problem that has to do with glass chemistry. However a more "boiling prone" glass can sometimes be worked carefully and the boiling minimized. Of course this is not ideal. How have you all found my TAG Super Clear to act? I know it's not cheap, but is it good? Inquiring minds want to know..............

Paul Trautman

[designsbykurato]

I bought 1lb from R4 2 or 3 months ago that looks just like Becky's pic. I PM'd you with my info.

[flyingcorgi]

Hi Paula,

When you say your Diamond Clear is "so clear it looks like water", do you mean in the rod, or when melted? I'm still trying to figure out what I have ... I have no "known good" Diamond Clear to compare to, just the batch I bought ... ;)

Regards,
- Becky

My batch is so clear it looks like water...

Paula

[PaulaD]

In the rods. I have unfortunately been too buried with day job, orders and the website to get anything melted. Paula

[artwhim]

Air bubbles in the glass are not causing the boiling problem. They are two separate issues. A small air bubble will usually just "pop" out as you work the glass. Boiling is a more sinister problem that has to do with glass chemistry. However a more "boiling prone" glass can sometimes be worked carefully and the boiling minimized. Of course this is not ideal. How have you all found my TAG Super Clear to act? I know it's not cheap, but is it good? Inquiring minds want to know..............

Paul Trautman

Sorry Paul, haven't tried it yet but it's on my wish list. Absolutely love your boro, especially the blizzard colors and Elvis. Just received a few of your newest boro colors but haven't had a chance to melt them yet. Appreciate the ability to deep encase in marbles without problems. Will the white blizzard hit the market soon?

[nagibeads]

Air bubbles in the glass are not causing the boiling problem. They are two separate issues. A small air bubble will usually just "pop" out as you work the glass. Boiling is a more sinister problem that has to do with glass chemistry. However a more "boiling prone" glass can sometimes be worked carefully and the boiling minimized. Of course this is not ideal. How have you all found my TAG Super Clear to act? I know it's not cheap, but is it good? Inquiring minds want to know..............

Paul Trautman


Hi Paul-I have tried the TAG clear.... I work hot(lots of O2) and found that I need to work very cool, high up in the flame without sustained heat with this clear. It can be very clear and nice, though. I view this as more a user issue, but I do use another clear that can be blasted with heat and not bubble...sorry!!:hide: But I do love your other colors, especially the boro!!

[jeepinwelch]

Oh crap! I just used up my last rod of the odds I got and opened the lb I bought from Frantz in November or December and sure enough, it looks horrible! Bummer... No encased beads for me for awhile.

[tiggybubba]

Ok if anything bought within 8-12 weeks is fine, the bad batch is before that? I bought mine 17 weeks ago.

[jeepinwelch]

Mine you can tell by looking at it. It is not nice & clear.

[meister1981]

I'll have to check out what we had in stock since Abe never contacted me about this. I'm not the type that wants my customers getting bad glass batches.

[tiggybubba]

I know that emmanuel....its not your fault at all...I just want to know for sure either way.

[suzanne]

Emmanuel, Abe never knew about a bad batch until he read it here on Lampworketc, it's not your fault, or Abe's fault:)

[jeepinwelch]

Hopefully mine will get replaced soon and I won't have to bug Frantz. I just wish I would have checked my glass as soon as I got it. In the future I will make sure to look at every color before I put it away.

[Peach Blossom Beads]

My batch is so clear it looks like water...

Paula

Hey Paula:
I'm sorry about this but have to say it. I just received my order from you a couple of hours ago (FAST FAST FAST!) You shipped Sat and I got it today!

Anyway, I order 1lb of the Diamond Clear and while it does look like "water" from a foot away, if you look up close and examine the rods, it looks like Becky's pic posted earlier in this thread. All those white spots and scratches.

I'm going to melt a bit when I get a chance, which could be up to a week, and then I'll let you know. Maybe it'll be ok? I hope so!! Then I'll post and let everyone else know how it was.

By the way, everyone. Paula is a fantastic seller. Giver her a shot. She has everything, she refunded the couple of extra $$ shipping I paid, and I order my glass Friday night and got it today. I would have order way more if I had the $$.

One more thing Paula: I'll PM you.

[PaulaD]

Hmmm. I'll have to get out my microscope tonight and take a look. Thanks for the heads up Taramag. Let me know how it melts..Paula

[Peach Blossom Beads]

Hmmm. I'll have to get out my microscope tonight and take a look. Thanks for the heads up Taramag. Let me know how it melts..Paula

LOL! Too funny! Ok, I saw the second pic in this thread and mine isn't THAT bad! So what you're selling does look like water compared to that stuff. It was Becky's pic that had me concerned. Once I melt it I'll let you know. I've never had to send glass back before and don't want to start now. But I coulnd't afford this to begin with so if it's bad I certainly can't keep it. I think it'll be perfectly fine and just wanted to give you a heads up.

If anyone needs more clear Palua is the person to order from!

[pierces*designs]

OK..this is what my diamond clear looks like encasing:

http://www.piercesdesigns.com/images/lampwork/focals/luna3.jpg

[Abe from Northstar Glass]

We are getting ready to ship the Diamond clear so if any of you have some of this bad glass let us know so we can ship in a timley manner.
Abe

[earthandsky]

Debbie, that's what mine does when used, and my rods look like what Kathy pictured. I got mine in that bulk buy; was the "bad" glass in circulation at that time?

[Peach Blossom Beads]

Abe,
I just found out I also have the bad batch. A full pound. Hope you're still checking this thread. I'll try to PM you too.
This sucks but you're the best for replacing it!

[PaulaD]

Well today I got to melt glass!! And I made several beads from the TAG clear and the Precision clear. I tend to work hot and am working on Lynx powered by a Regalia. I had a very tiny bit of bubbling with the TAG and a lot of it with the Precision. Are you guys using the same recipe or the same ingredients from the same vendor?
Peeps~If you bought Precision from me please take it off the shelf and do a test bead or two asap to see if you get the bubbly thing going on.

Paula

[Peach Blossom Beads]

I'm bumping this because Abe still has not gotten back to me. I PMd him and posted here like he asked.

Abe, please get in touch with me. Send me a PM. Thanks!

[PaulaD]

Hi Buds,
I had a very long talk today with Abe and got a few tips as to how to work this new batch of clear glass. Most of our smaller torches tend to reduce. If we are using concentrators or small generators we also don't have the same high percentage of oxygen going through our torches that the factory uses to test their glass. So here are some ideas to try for the bubbly thing....Up your oxygen as much as you can (for lower surface tension) and heat your rod up slowly and way out in the flame so that the core isn't cold while the outside is cooking. Be sure to stay away from the head of the torch and out in the flame. I'll have to try again now that I have this information..Abe is working on a user manual for the clear and for the other 104 Precision colors. Paula

[Hayley]

Abe - I pm-ed you about my stash of bad diamond clear, let me know! Thanks!

[PaulaD]

I had really good luck yesterday using the clear when I kicked my oxygen waaaaayyyy up. This worked on the Precision and the TAG clear. They both came out flawless.
Paula

[kimberly]

Short note:
I have found that when the glass first hits the flame, it looks like there is scum or haze. DO NOT STOP!!! Keep heating the glass with an oxidizing flame and the haze/scum will disappear and you will have beautiful clear glass. I love this clear. I can heat it up to almost white hot with no bubbles or scum at all. You need to work it hot and oxidizing.

[Hayley]

I have so many different batches of Diamond Clear - I made spacer beads with each batch and the one batch that I consider "bad" had tiny, tiny bubbles not only on first melt, but in the test bead after I peeled the end of the rod off.

The good batches don't even need peeling and remains crystal clear.

Did anyone get theirs replaced?

[nagibeads]

I haven't asked to get mine replaced, but I have a batch like yours--tiny bubbles even after you clean the rod, tear off the ends and work the rod carefully in the flame.
You know it is different because the good stuff you can blast and it won't bubble at all....:smile:

[Hayley]

I have 1.5 lbs of the bad stuff . . . I prolly would let it go if it were only 1/4 lb!

[nagibeads]

#-o that's alot!
hope you're able to get it replaced...

[jeepinwelch]

Did anyone get theirs replaced?

Still waiting... I'm back to using the Lauscha I had laying around. I'm just being really carefull with what I mix it with.

[designsbykurato]

Still waiting here.

[glassartist]

Me too.
:-)
Pam S
S Florida

[Kim V]

I just checked the date on my Diamond Clear. I got it from Ron in 9/07. Would this be part of the bad glass?

[jeepinwelch]

I just checked the date on my Diamond Clear. I got it from Ron in 9/07. Would this be part of the bad glass?

You can tell by looking at it. Clean a rod really good then hold it up to the light. The bad glass has lots of obvious bubbles and a scummy look to it.

[Hayley]

Actually my rods look like all the other Diamond Clear I have (the good ones) but when I melt it and lay the glass down, there are lots of tiny, tiny bubbles.

[jeepinwelch]

I got mine yesterday! It's beautiful and clear and perfect! I can't wait to melt some because it is by far my favorite clear. Thanks for the little extra too Abe!:cool:

[designsbykurato]

Thank you Abe. I just received mine today and it is perfectly crystal clear. Can't wait for the kiln to heat up to try this out. Many Thanks for the extra.

[pierces*designs]

So, how do I know if the clear I got is bad? It is full of bubble, you can see them in my pic. When I use it over dark colors, no biggie, but I can't use it for good encasing. It looks the clear in the pic above. It was purchased from Frantz in 2/08.

[designsbykurato]

Did you PM Abe with your info, mine was like the pic also. This new batch is so clear.

[Hayley]

Did you get a response from Abe before he sent the replacement? I haven't heard back from him after pm-ing last week . . . emailed him just now.

[Mary Pat C]

Thank You Abe!!!! I recived my replacement glass today. It looks beautiful.

The extra glass was an unexpected treat. Thank You so much

Mary Pat:grin:

[artwhim]

My replacement glass arrived too. Thank you for correcting the problem Abe! Great customer service replacing the bad glass and the extra is very much appreciated. Only had a chance to encase two beads with it last night, but the difference between this glass and my first batch is night and day! Now I'll know why people speak so highly of Diamond Clear. Thank you!!

Hayley, I didn't receive a confirmation that my message was received, the glass just showed up. Yours probably will too.

[Hayley]

Thanks, Kathy . . . I was late in letting him know so hopefully it will be replaced! I just never had a chance to go through all my batches of Diamond Clear until last week . . . sure enough the bundle that I didn't even open was bad! Go figure! lol!

[luvhotglass]

I just saw this thread. I have 2 pounds of the bad stuff. Do you have to send it back?
I'm going to pm Abe. Hopefully I can get a replacement!

[PaulaD]

I talked to Abe about this glass last week. There was no more than 50 lbs that went out and I think it went all to one dealer. It had air bubbles in it big enough to see. The glass was still usable but he wanted to recall it anyway. If you are just getting micro bubbles when you are melting like I was you need to melt slower and increase your oxygen.

Paula

[Abe from Northstar Glass]

If you have not got a responce from me yet just please wait we are very busy over here and have very little time to respond to PM's.
Abe

[Hayley]

Thanks, Abe . . . I will just hang tight, no worries!

[flyingcorgi]

Boy, I sure hope someone could provide me some guidance on mine! I posted a photo of my rods in post #17 several weeks ago. I don't know if these are considered "visible bubbles" or not ... well, yes, they're visible ;), but are they normal? Again, I'm a newbie and this is the first batch of Diamond Clear I invested in so I have nothing to compare. I'm not going to contact Abe unless I KNOW I have questionable glass ... I'm not out to get free glass! ... but no opinion from anyone, yet, since posting that photo ...

Do I keep this glass? I bought it from Frantz in early March '08. If this is NOT the vendor in question then that helps me, too!

Any help appreciated -- thanks!,
- Becky

[Hayley]

Becky - melt a rod, make a large spacer bead and you will know. Some of my good rods have visible markings but melt perfectly clear.

[luvhotglass]

The glass that I have has little shards or scratches all through out. I've been trying to take a picture of them but I can't get any clear pictures. ( I think I need a new camera). They also have a funny feel to them. They're not round, I can feel grooves but can't see them.

[PaulaD]

Becky I think that if you can see bubbles it's the bad batch. I've been assured by Abe that my batch is ok but I'd melt a rod anyway to be sure if you bought from me.
Paula

p.s.The rods are handpulled and so they are not all round.

[suzanne]

Oops Abe I am sorry, I just noticed you guys are too busy to awnser pm's and I just sent you one this morning regarding my replacement glass

[Peach Blossom Beads]

Did everyone get their clear? Or are some still waiting? Please let me know. Thanks!!!

[glassartist]

Still waiting here, but feel sure one of these first days it'll be in the mailbox!
Thanks again, Abe!!!
Pam S

[Hayley]

I am still waiting too!

[tiggybubba]

I got mine....this is what it did.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/tiggybubba/momheart4-2.jpg

Can someone help me with this glass. I know it shouldnt do this. At least these rods are perfectly clear. No bubbles and/or scratches on the rods but I have never seen clear bubble so badly.

[Hayley]

Yikes! Leslie, that's the replacement Diamond Clear you got? I think I would keep my old one if that's the case and not buy any for a while until the next batch!!!

[luvhotglass]

I'm still waiting.

[beadbroad]

I haven't heard or received anything either.

[Abe from Northstar Glass]

Please hold on to your seats guys. We are going to ship the last of the replacments next week. Sorry for the wait. I am going to ask Kim Afleck to chime in on this post it seems to me that there is a learning curve to useing Diamond Clear. We back our products 100%.Abe

[Hayley]

Thanks, Abe. I have used Diamond Clear for over a year exclusively over all silver glass and never had a "learning curve" . . . I find that your clear is normally very easy to use and scum and bubble free (that's why I knew my 1.5 lbs are part of the bad batch)!

[glassartist]

Since discovering the quality of Diamond Clear from Rocio and Ron, I don't buy any other clear.
Pam S

[beadbroad]

No problem -- I appreciate any company that backs their product like this. I did well with my first batch, so I don't think it was operator error this time.

Please hold on to your seats guys. We are going to ship the last of the replacments next week. Sorry for the wait. I am going to ask Kim Afleck to chime in on this post it seems to me that there is a learning curve to useing Diamond Clear. We back our products 100%.Abe

[suzanne]

Me neither, Abe if you are still reading this, I never received the stuff you told me you were gonna send me, did something go wrong?

[kimberly]

Sorry all. I haven't visited this thread for a long time.
I have good luck using the Diamond Clear by melting it very hot with a slightly oxidizing flame. when the flame first hits the glass, there will seem to be some scum on the surface. If you keep heating it HOT it will disappear and the glass will be nice and clear. The"scum" looks almost like the haze you burn off of some of the silver glasses. This is not bubbles that are on the interior of the rod. This is something that happens on the surface of the glass. Again, if you see something that looks like scum when you take the rod to the flame, keep heatinting the rod very HOT and you should see it gradually disappear. You may need to turn your oxygen up.

Hope this helps. This is my favorite clear, by far!!

[StacyLynne]

HI Kimberly

I did what you said before I read your post and it didn't work. Funny thing is I see a line running along the length of the rod. When I heat it up you really can see it.

Ill try again this week.

Thanks for the tips...
SL

[kimberly]

That sounds like a line IN the glass. Extra heat won't fix that. You will get bubbles no matter what you do. A photo of the rod would help!

[luvhotglass]

Did anyone receive their replacement glass? I pm'd Abe a while ago but haven't heard anything.

[Hayley]

Same here - pm-ed Abe and haven't heard back except what he wrote in this thread. I am hoping my glass will still be replaced and am happy to send back the back batch!

[glassartist]

Still waiting here in FL. I'm just thinking that those of us who are left without glass are/were "last on the list?" Could be wrong, but maybe we just need to wait a bit more as the last post to receive the glass was a couple of weeks ago?
Hmmm....will be watching the board....
PS

[Hayley]

Please hold on to your seats guys. We are going to ship the last of the replacments next week. Sorry for the wait. I am going to ask Kim Afleck to chime in on this post it seems to me that there is a learning curve to useing Diamond Clear. We back our products 100%.Abe

Did anyone actually get any replacement glass since Abe's May 7 post? I am still waiting!

[bead crazy]

Re contact Abe in a PM. I believe he said something about loosing alot of names in his pm awhile back.

[beadbroad]

Yeah, I gave up. The last I saw was his post that the last ones were going out, and if there was a post about lost pm's I missed it.

[Hayley]

I pm-ed him again. I still have a pound and a half sitting on my desk that I would like replaced.

[suzanne]

I pmd him on different ocasions and was told to have patience. I never received glass, and it has been over 3 months. I don't think I'll ever get replacement glass at this point.

[ejralph]

I had samples of this glass from two suppliers - in Europe and UK, both times the glass was awful. I was told by the UK supplier that it was not the bad batch and that everyone else was loving it so I just let the matter drop as I only had a tiny bit really. Couldn't be bothered to keep arguing!

Emma