Red glaze Fiesta: the story of one magic color

In fact, these things only seem to be recently bought in the store of author's ceramics. These two plates, produced by Homer Laughlin's company, in West Virginia, have been produced there since 1936. They were called "plate red Fiesta" and " bowl Fiesta ivory." In the production of both, natural uranium was used to provide the color of the glaze. Although the radioactivity of both is quite high and easily detected by the radioactivity of "red Fiesta" a cut above "Fiesta ivory". And all because this very gentle, but deep brick-red was achieved by directly adding uranium oxide to the glaze. Measurements have shown that up to 14% of the glaze can be pure uranium. But they did not spend uranium in vain-the color is really amazing and if in the photo it seems primitive to you, then take my word for it - so it is very deep, weighty, but not heavy and incredibly warm. And this color so all liked, that dishes were sold incredibly well and their issued and issued. And sold, of course. Until 1943. And in 1943, because the uranium could be used to make an atomic bomb, the government confiscated the company's entire stockpile of uranium. And only this stopped Homer Laughlin from further production of this beautiful dishware.