Mayco’s Jungle Gems™ Crystal Glazes transform in the kiln when the small pieces of glass frit burst into color and intricate patterns during the firing process. Artists use these beautiful glazes to add dramatic, colorful effects to their creations.
Cone 06 chips have been fired flat in oxidation on white earthenware body.
Cone 6 chips have been fired flat in oxidation on white stoneware body.
Unleash your creativity with Mayco’s Jungle Gems™ Crystal Glazes. These stunning glazes allow ceramic artists to add color and depth to their designs with ease. Use alone for stunning effects, in glaze combination blending with Stroke & Coats®, Foundations® or Cobblestones or simply as an accent to your design.
Often cited as “Art in a Jar”, our Jungle Gems™ Crystal Glazes are easy to use while providing outstanding results.
Crystal glazes were designed to mature at cone 06/05. Shake the jar well and stir during the application process. Apply two to three even coats to shelf cone 04 bisque with a fan brush, allow to dry between coats. We recommend a soft fan brush, such as CB-604 #4 or CB-618 #8 Soft Fan, for glaze application. Stir frequently as crystals tend to settle in the jar due to their weight. Re-distribution of crystals may be required during the final coat. Where you see the crystal is where you will see it bloom. Avoid heavy application of crystals at the bottom of ware as the crystals bloom and can adhere to the kiln shelves or stilts. The crystals in the glaze will melt when fired, which may create a textured surface. Jungle Gems™ Crystal Glazes have a natural crazing that occurs when the crystals “bloom”. As that surface may be difficult to properly clean if in contact with food, we recommend crystal glazes to be used on decorative ware.
Jungle Gems™ Crystal Glazes have been formulated to mature at cone 06/05. However, they can be fired at higher temperatures. Their performance at cone 6 is noted on each individual product label. Crystals tend to flow at higher temperatures so take care on vertical pieces. We recommend testing on your clay body and in your kiln prior to use.
Jungle Gems™ glazes are a mix of certified AP Non-Toxic and caution label CL. CG-707 Woodland Fantasy, CG-713 Peacock Green, CG-716 Pagoda Green, CG-717 Pistachio, CG-962 Blue Azure, CG-967 Green Agate, CG-979 Meadow, and CG-982 Mixed Melon require a caution label, CL, due to soluble copper and CG-973 Alligator due to barium. All other Jungle Gems™ are AP Non-Toxic.
Jungle Gems™ Crystal Glazes are recommended for ornamental use only when applied to low-fire earthenware clay bodies. All but the above-mentioned Jungle Gems™ glazes have been certified as AP Non-Toxic, suitable for use by artists of all ages when used according to the manufacturer’s directions. Jungle Gems™ are not recommended for dinnerware produced from low-fire earthenware clay bodies as these glazes can exhibit surface textures such as cracks and crevices. While the glazed surface may pass lead & cadmium leach tests, and therefore legally considered Food Safe, attempts to adequately clean the textured surface may cause the underlying porous ware to absorb water and fail. Jungle Gems™ glazes may be considered dinnerware safe if surface texture is eliminated when firing to mid-range or high fire temperatures.
Jungle Gems™ demonstrate the “magic of the kiln” more effectively than any other glaze. Delightful for kids of all ages.
With just one glaze, Jungle Gems™ can be the star of your work in all over coverage with intricate patterns and unique effects developing after firing. They even work well over texture!
Jungle Gems™ may be used to create colorful design work. Use French Dimensions™ to act as a barrier, preventing the colors from blending together.
To create unique effects and finishes, layer crystal together to create ombre effects or make an entirely new crystal color.
Crystals add visual interest in designs and as a backdrop to your artwork. Design with glaze combinations by layering with Stroke & Coat®, Foundations® or Cobblestone.
Apply Jungle Gems™ directly to wet or leatherhard clay and fire to cone 04. Colors retain their vibrancy with huge time savings. We recommend leaving an area unglazed such as the bottom or back for outgassing during firing. Limit coverage to 2 coats including any design work when applied to wet clay.
Jungle Gems™ glazes perform at mid-range (cone 5/6) temperatures for very interesting results. We recommend testing at your preferred firing temperature prior to use. Check label of specific color for performance at higher temperatures.
With just one glaze, Jungle Gems™ can be the star of your work in all over coverage with intricate patterns and unique effects. Jungle Gems™ demonstrate the magic of the kiln more effectively than any other product line. Delightful for artists of all ages and abilities!
Jungle Gems™ can play a supporting role to other glazes. Use Jungle Gems™ in combination with Mayco Stoneware glazes at mid-range for a variety of colorful effects.
Jungle Gems™ can be used for layering techniques such as the popular peacock technique at mid-range, where pops of color move and create dramatic effects using different combinations of Flux and Stoneware glazes.
Jungle Gems™ will move and flow more at mid-range temperatures. The crystals will lose some of their definition and act more as a blending agent, allowing you to achieve flowing drips on your works. Use Mayco Engobes, underglazes or another stable glaze to act as a buffer and help control the flow.
Some Jungle Gems™ colors will be more transparent at mid-range and higher firings. However, this can be a benefit to allow an underlying clay body to show through and enhance texture on your ware.
Jungle Gems™ can take the heat with many colors maintaining their vibrancy at cone 10 oxidation, reduction or other alternative atmospheric firing conditions, such as wood, salt or raku. Visit MaycoColors.com to see cone 10 reduction samples. Testing is recommended.
Simply apply the crystals in the pattern and apply as the above directions stated. Several rings of the crystals placed in varied patterns are also attractive. Interesting patterns may be obtained by placing several rings of crystals in a necklace-like placement around the piece. The glaze may need to be strained in order to separate the crystals for this procedure. The crystals are then applied using a brush or small spoon in a linear necklace-like ring around the piece. This can be several rings in sequential order or in a zigzag pattern to produce the most pleasing effect.
Yes. Foundations® Sheers and Opaques would be a good choice as these glazes will allow the crystals to expand much like the base glaze of Jungle Gems™.
Jungle Gems™ Crystal Glazes have been in the market for many years and were originally formulated using a leaded frit. In 2005, they were converted to a leadless formula, similar to the Mayco Crystalites glaze, which have always been lead-free. We have merged these two great product lines into one, all under the Jungle Gems™ brand. This merge simplifies the selection for the consumer as the glazes perform identically. Crystalite colors will keep their item numbers, name and the entire Crystal Glaze product line remains lead-free.
Yes, you may mix and create an entirely new crystal color that is pleasing. Mayco recommends testing first as it is unpredictable results.
No, for one thing clear glaze may change the color of the crystal glaze. And two, it does not prevent the natural crazing when the crystals “bloom” at low fire.
Jungle Gems™ crystal Glazes are recommended for ornamental use only when applied to low fire earthenware clay bodies. All but three Jungle Gems™ glazes have been certified as Non-Toxic, suitable for use by artists of all ages when used according to manufacturer’s directions. Jungle Gems™ are not recommended for dinnerware produced from low fire earthenware clay bodies as these glazes can exhibit surface textures such as cracks and crevices. While the glazed surface may pass lead & cadmium leach tests, and therefore legally considered Food Safe, attempts to adequately clean the textured surface may cause the underlying porous ware to absorb water and fail. Jungle Gems™ glazes may be considered dinnerware safe if surface texture is eliminated when firing to mid-range or high fire temperatures.
Jungle Gems™ will move at mid-range temperatures. The crystals will lose some of their definition and act more as a blending agent. We recommend receding layers of glaze when applying on vertical ware and avoid heavy application of crystals at the bottom third of ware as the crystals tend to flow at higher temperatures and can adhere to the kiln shelves. Place a tile or a piece of scrap bisque beneath the piece to prevent glaze from running onto your kiln shelves. Less coats will produce less movement and more defined crystals. Textured ridges may help to catch the glaze and prevent runoff. You can also buffer Jungle Gems™ by placing a stable glaze, Engobe or underglaze below it to catch it.
Picture shown is 1, 2, and 3 coats of CG1008 Blue Guppy fired to cone 6 oxidation.
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