Sandblasting glass used instead of sand will glisten like metalic paint in the sun.

I remember that someone used them to make a geoide (spelling?). I think she said they were not sharp and it was rather ingenious actually. It looked very good. She applied them inside a cheap light fixture that you can find for a couple of dollars new or used. I think she filled it in and added the broken glass in certain places. Adele

I think it was tempered glass that she used.

Sue

or tumbled glass ( check Google)

Andrea

This was one of the posts about tempered glass. All you have to do is go into the "Search" and type what you are looking for. If it is still hanging around, you will find it. Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Glass in column

Jo (gottatufa) also made the beautiful "geode in the sun"! In the link below, scroll down to the 7th follow-up, she links to a picture of it. Happy mudding! Where are you, Jo? You and Peak like me this summer, lurking but not having time to "DO" anything? I miss my mudding days!

Here is a link that might be useful: Auto glass sphere

Club_53,

Do you want the entire surface of you work to glisten? If so then Tufenough's suggestion to use sandblasting media made from slag will give the surface a fine sparkle as if you had glitter on the object. The large "cubes" that you will gather from broken tempered glass will make a coarse surface with a few of them oriented such that you get a light reflection or sparkle.

The tufa geode to which the link refers (thank you, BuddyFly) has a layer of glass in the middle of the sphere and what did not get stuck in the mud was washed away after the concrete set up. This exposed many surfaces which reflect light in all directions.

As for being sharp, yes and no. The pieces will not cut you very easily as a broken pane or drinking glass would. However, the edges and particularly the corners of the "cubes" will scratch and possibly cut if you rub against them too hard.

Jazz is correct If you really want the whole ball to glisten replacing sand with sandblasting glass works rather nicely.
BUT:
You will be disapointed unless you clean off the haze left by the cement after the ball fully cures.
You don't want anything too strong or it will eat the surface.
I use vinegar with either a toothbrush or a brass brush to remove the haze without removing the glass crystals. Removing a bit of the cement around the crystals helps as well as the crystals stick out from the surface.
I have a dark blue ball planter with black copper slag crystals and it is beautiful in the sun. I wish there was a way to photograph this.
I make topping cement with black slag and black pigment as well and it looks like metalic paint.
The clear glass sand blasting glass makes any color glitter.
Snow white cement (adding white pigment to white portland)has a rainbow glitter to it. Very cool, but you must remove the haze!

Can anyone suggest a better product than vinegar? I'm tired of smelling like a pickle all day.:)

Hey, you talking about my geode? Wow, my geode is famous, (but i sold it) :) I used broken tempered glass that was broken out of a display case but i got it at the glass repair shop. They are all too happy to give it to you. I didn't need to wash the glass with any product after making it, just kinda glistened on it's own.
BB, your not mudding this summer? Must be difficult to say the least, you did some nice work. Don't you miss the good ol; days with Peak and everyone. We all got along so nice and learned so much from each other. I havent learned much here this year cause it's too hard to tip toe around the bombs. Some one is always trying to correct you.....

Jo

Hope Club 53 came back to see your column and geode!!! Simply beautiful!!!! I knew you waz lurking around, Jo! I had saved some glass from a date I had in 1968. He left me at a party and went to get records at his house, and came back two hours later with a broken window, some kid threw a rock at him! I had been furious, but the date ended on a very nice note!! I found the glass all these years later wrapped in tissue with dried flowers and such! Maybe I should make a Memory Geode out of it and send it to him!!! Tee heee heeee! The auto glass worked very well, and I wish Peak would write if he is lurking!! (YOU OUT THERE PEAK????) among other members that have faded away:(

LOL BB. You aught to take that memory geode and throw it at him! Didn't we have a fun group of people last summer? We had experiments, challanges (experiments) and lots of joking (experiments) and happiness. There is still a great group of people here and quite a few of last years members. We just need some inspiration again. Come on BB, put thoses chickens down and get back into the mudhole!
Jo

Club 53, I didn't mean to hijack your thread, but I did link you to Jo's auto glass artwork!!! Jo, I really want to, and will get back to the 'tufa mudhole, soon! I am getting my house ready to sell, so as soon as I finish all the touchups and put it out there.... I will have time to play! But if it sells, I am going to have a time packing up to move!!!! Yikes! Better move my "mud studio" over to my mother's garage, so that when I move I can just keep on pat pat patting that mud into the leaf molds I made and have not used!!!!!(I will live with my mom while I build a house! That ought to be fun:( Love my mom, but.......................................) Okay, I am dropping the hammer and nails and paint and brushes for today right now and getting in the mud hole for a couple of hours!!!! Yippeee!!!!!!! BB

I have access to all the broken tempered glass you could want, the pieces aren't very sharp, they could cut you if you weren't careful but not very bad or easily. If you are interested in buying some from me please email me at craigc119@mailcity.com