Grande Glitter- What Color is This?

[Wanda Woman]

I got this as new old stock (2003) from a former sales person. How much fun would THAT be!? I can't capture the real life color in the pic. In fact, if it actually looked like the pic I wouldn't care about the official color. I've taken a pic of the cap. It is medium icy blue near the base and darkens to a purple going up, then raspberry in the middle, then the top is a deep blood color. There is a turquoise dye ring at the top and turquoise stuck on the side near the bottom. It is difficult to get the light to illuminate the whole thing because it is so dark. Does anybody have an idea what color this is supposed to be by the cap code?

[Alex]

If I'm not mistaken, 35 is the number for teal glitter. The color could just be from the bulb's natural yellowish light.

[Ian]

It could be the glitter liquid fading as well, especially if it was a teal originally. I have had 2 blue china glitters, one lava brand and the other an Excalibur, and the color faded from both of them. The fading process was bizarre for each one; for instance, the Excalibur started to turn red towards the top, and gradually the reddish color took over until the entire globe was tinted a light shade of red, with absolutely no blue! The other one, an 8oz accent, faded in a similar way, however it turned gold instead, with absolutely no blue. Go figure! I never placed either one in direct sunlight, and did not leave them on for extended periods of time.

I stuck a 65 watt red spotlight bulb into the Excalibur, to emphasize the red, and now it looks very nice! It looks just as if it's original factory color was red.

[Wanda Woman]

Given the color of the dye residue it makes sense this would be teal and even moreso considering Ians' experience with this color. Until now I hadn't considered fading since this has lived in a box for 13 years untouched. Changing the bulb color is a great idea. I don't think it will work with this one though because I couldn't get a hundred watt to shine all the way to the top when I popped it onto another lamp base. It is so dark. Looks like I may need to dump it and consider refilling. I'd like some large glitter but...Cha ching... there goes my wallet. Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it. For now I will play with some colored bulbs.

[Michael]

Another important thing to note, I wouldn't advise using a 100 watt bulb on a glitter Grande without a dimmer. The early Grandes (glitter and wax) were prone to cracking and they actually recalled some lines. The solution they had at the time was to lower the bulb socket in the wax lamps to keep the 100 watt and to go down to 60 watt in the glitter. 

[Wanda Woman]

Oh for sure. I popped it on that lamp base just to see the color and if there was any chance light could even make it to illuminate the top. I didn't know about that problem with the early Grandes. Now I know my concern about these cracking isn't all in my head. I have 2 wax Grandes also from 2003. I will be lowering the bulb sockets on those. I'm going to take a look to see how low they go. Or maybe I could try adding a dimmer. Thanks for the heads up Michael.

[Keith]

You need a space of about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch between the bulb and the bottom of the globe.  Closer than 1/8th inch increased the chance of a cracked globe.  Farther that 1/4 inch may keep the globe from getting hot enough to flow.

Also, light bulbs from different manufacturers will be different in height when fully screwed in to the fixture.

Wanda said:

Oh for sure. I popped it on that lamp base just to see the color and if there was any chance light could even make it to illuminate the top. I didn't know about that problem with the early Grandes. Now I know my concern about these cracking isn't all in my head. I have 2 wax Grandes also from 2003. I will be lowering the bulb sockets on those. I'm going to take a look to see how low they go. Or maybe I could try adding a dimmer. Thanks for the heads up Michael.