Topic: Rectangular crystal pen holder

[Otis Orlando]

Hi all, I'm struggling to identify this unusual looking hand made solid crystal paperweight that I have had for a while.   It's irregular in shape and has a very slight yellowish tint.   When under UV light glows a lime green colour, which is clearly visible.  As I have not seen crystal glass like this before, I am now wondering whether it has been made with cadmium rather than uranium?  Under artificial lighting the Crystal block looks very clear.  It is only under natural light that you can then see the slight tint. Measurements are as follows: 11.9cm x 7.7cm x 4.2cm.   I have tried to capture pictures under the colour change but not been successful.   I am bewildered by this, especially compared to other uranium pieces I have had where I have been successful.   The depth of the hole, which I am only assuming is for a pen is approx. 2.8cm.  Air pockets are quite visible within the crystal structure.  Any info. about this piece is appreciated.    I would like to be optimistic and state it is a rare piece but will leave that to the experts.   The structure is pitted all over slightly, but can only be seen on close up inspection, however, does have a smooth texture on touch.  Everything other than the base pattern appears to be hand made.    On the front face of the structure there also is an indented, uneven surface that is 0.3cm in depth and measures 4.4cm x 3.6cm.   Fine close up vertical lines can be seen under close up inspection, which would indicate to me that a grinding tool had been used.  On the face of the structure, striation lines, well that's what I think they are can be clearly seen, as it does not look like part of the cobbled pattern design.  I'm just at a loss with this one.

[chriscooper]

Is the diameter of the large/deep enough to hold a tapered candle?
Just a thought that may expand your search.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLENKO-Pair-of-Clear-Handcrafted-Glass-CANDLE-HOLDERS-Square-Blocks-or-Cubes-/281157066847

Chris

[Lustrousstone]

Whatever it is it does not contain uranium. Colourless glass never contains uranium. The dull greenish glow is caused by manganese, which is/was used as a decoloriser.

[Otis Orlando]

Hi Chris,  Oh! I knew there was something else that I should have provided.   The hole tapers on entrance and is approx. 1cm in depth.   So the actual size of the hole itself, is 1cm x 0.7cm and 1.8cm deep.   I hope this makes sense.

I have looked at a considerable amount of the Blenko ranges and not currently convince myself that it is yet.  The cobbled and base pattern design is not one I have seen on Blenko products.  I can now see, why this post was moved, but IMHO, the hole size and weight would definitely suggest to me that this it is a pen holder paperweight and not meant for a candle.  The lead  most certainly helped me, 'expand my thoughts'. 

Whatever it is it does not contain uranium. Colourless glass never contains uranium. The dull greenish glow is caused by manganese, which is/was used as a decoloriser.

Well, at least we can eliminate uranium.  Cadmium was my initial thoughts, but could not understand why the glass glowed a yellowish green.   You've now answered that and grateful.     I have not heard of manganese being used  to discolour glass and certainly will look this up.

I will not rule out this being a possible Blenko product though.