Black Aventurine over Seaweed and Honey Flux by Alanah Bell Konopa

Black Aventurine over Seaweed and Honey Flux

Black Aventurine over Seaweed and Honey Flux is a beautiful Cone 6 glaze combination by Alanah Bell Konopa on Nara porcelain. This layered surface combines the movement of AMACO Honey Flux, the rich green accents of AMACO Seaweed, and the deep, sparkling character of AMACO Black Aventurine. The result is a dramatic blend of black, green, cream, and soft blush-pink tones that develop naturally through glaze interaction and firing.

How the Glazes Work Together

The success of Black Aventurine over Seaweed and Honey Flux comes from the different roles each glaze plays in the layering system.

Honey Flux acts as the foundation. Applied directly to the porcelain, it encourages movement and creates areas where underlying colors can bloom through the darker top layer. On Nara porcelain, Honey Flux develops creamy white and warm blush tones that remain visible even beneath heavier glaze applications.

Seaweed provides the strong green accents. Applied in dots and stripes over the bare porcelain, it maintains much of its color identity during firing while softening at the edges where it meets Honey Flux. These green areas create visual contrast against the darker surface.

Black Aventurine serves as the unifying top layer. Three coats create a rich black surface with subtle crystalline sparkle. Rather than completely obscuring the glazes underneath, it allows the movement generated by Honey Flux and Seaweed to reveal itself through flowing streaks, color breaks, and soft transitions.

The combination works because each glaze contributes a distinct function: Honey Flux creates movement, Seaweed supplies color, and Black Aventurine provides depth and drama.

Firing Results and Surface Development

At Cone 6, Honey Flux becomes highly active and promotes significant glaze movement. As Black Aventurine melts over the layered surface, the underlying Honey Flux pushes through in selected areas, producing cream and pinkish bands that appear almost illuminated from within.

The soft pink tone visible between the Seaweed bands is not a separate glaze. It is the natural result of Honey Flux interacting with the porcelain body and the overlying Black Aventurine during firing.

Seaweed retains its characteristic green coloration while developing softened edges where it blends into surrounding glazes. The contrast between the dark surface and the brighter underlying colors creates a sense of depth that changes as the mug is viewed from different angles.

The white and blush tones are enhanced by the Nara porcelain body, whose brightness allows subtle color variations to remain visible beneath the darker top coat.

What Potters Can Learn

• Honey Flux can produce unexpected warm blush tones on porcelain.
• Black Aventurine does not always completely conceal underlying glazes.
• Applying decorative layers directly to porcelain before adding a dark top glaze can create depth and visual complexity.
• Nara porcelain helps preserve subtle color transitions that might be muted on darker clay bodies.
• Small amounts of Seaweed can provide strong color contrast without overwhelming the composition.

Credit: Alanah Bell Konopa