NS-86 Garnet is a member the self striking ruby family. Garnet is the medium intensity shade of the three shades of self striking rubies Northstar currently offers. It is best suited for medium thickness blown work and highlights. The self striking rubies are the next generation of colors offering the user cleaner purer colors with less air and difficulty in working. When using NS-86 Garnet, do so in a neutral to oxidizing flame. Once hot Garnet will turn transparent just as the standard Northstar rubies, but as it cools it turns a uniform ruby red. The strike is easily repeatable and the final color is not affected by kilning. Even after numerous reheats no liviering will occur. Note the final shade of red is slightly darker than the initial color of the rod. Once heated and allowed to strike, the final color can be viewed. After prolonged use in sculptural and inside out applications NS-86 Garnet can develop a deep brown hue. This can usually be reversed by heating the color until molten. For a great color effect try layering NS-86 Garnet over NS-85 Poppy. For additional information about NS-86 Garnet refer to Newsletter issue 26.
