Crystal Glazes

Crystal glazes (also known as Crystalline glazes) are specialty glazes that are formulated for unique and striking decorative results.

The special composition of crystal glazes allows the molecules to bond together in structured strings - i.e. natural crystal growth - resulting in luxurious gem-like surface effects. While true that most glazes contain crystals, these are only miniscule crystals invisible to the naked eye, whereas crystal glazes stimulate much larger and more impressive crystals.

Crystal Glazes Specific Ingredients

The specific ingredients - carefully mixed in exact ratios - include minerals that interact to form the crystalline structures while in a liquid state and then cool to “freeze” them in place. Crystal glazes benefit from oxidation firing, specific holding temperatures, and controlled cooling to encourage more, or larger, crystals to develop.

The Mayco Jungle Gem Crystal Glaze and Crystalites Glaze ranges differ slightly, as they contain ceramic glass frits, which are pre-mixed raw minerals that have been melted, cooled, and reduced to small fragments for mixing in with liquid glaze. They trap the elements in a glass matrix, rendering them insoluble, only releasing in the kiln, where the temperature causes them to “bloom”. Because they have been pre-melted in production they melt again more easily, enabling them to be low-fired, an unusual characteristic of crystal glazes. They are also more predictable, as the recipe of the frit itself is consistent, and they are visible in the liquid glaze; where you see the crystal is where you will see it bloom

Sajo Ceramics is delighted to offer crystal glazes to the ceramics community from our Melbourne location, and operates as an official distributor of Mayco glazes in Australia. Order your ceramics materials and tools online, or visit our studio to explore all of the pottery supplies in person, see samples of the Mayco glazes, and talk to our experienced staff.