The Colour of Selenium Ruby Glasses

JSGT 1932 V16 T171-T181

 An x-ray examination of a number of selenium glasses is described. The coloration is found to be caused by the precipitation of particles composed of a solid solution of cadmium sulphide and cadmium selenide. Differences in the relative amounts of the two compounds in solid solution produce colours ranging from deep ruby to orange, the particles in the deep red glasses containing; relatively more cadmium selenide than the orange glasses. The suggestion is made that the coloration is mainly due to the colour of the particles themselves rather than to their size and nature as in the case of gold and copper ruby glasses.

H. P. Rooksby