Glass Alchemy is a family run colored borosilicate glass

Borosilicate glass

Borosilicate glass is a type of glass with the main glass-forming constituents silica and boron oxide. Borosilicate glasses are known for having very low coefficients of thermal expansion , making them resistant to thermal shock, more so than any other common glass...

 company located in Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...

. Established in 2000, Glass Alchemy manufactures a number of handcrafted colored borosilicate glass products including, Boromax® rod, tube and frit and the customizable Tailor Made™ Tube. The company has claimed to be the largest manufacturer of first quality colored borosilicate in the USA, which is possible due to their innovative manufacturing approach and retention of skilled employees.

The company uses 100% renewable power to meet all energy needs and is the only colored borosilicate manufacturer to work with the EPA in a Green Power Partnership. Glass Alchemy employs other sustainable measures and has won the Recycle at Work Award from the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development for going beyond recycling by participating in other sustainable practices.

History

In 2000, husband and wife Henry Grimmett and Susan Webb-Grimmett started Glass Alchemy, Ltd. Once Glass Alchemy was established, the colored borosilicate palette expanded rapidly with Glass Alchemy’s introduction of the cadmium “Crayon” colors and the first “Sparkle” aventurine colors in borosilicate.

In 2007, Henry’s son Thomas Grimmett joined the business and now oversees production.

In 2008, Henry’s daughter Jodi Grimmett joined the business and now oversees marketing and sales.

In 2008, Susan Webb-Grimmett and Henry Grimmett won the Small Business Administration

Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses...

 award for the State of Oregon

Oregon

Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...

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In 2008, the family won the Austin Family Business Program Excellence in Family Business award from Oregon State University

Oregon State University

Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...

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Products

Glass Alchemy produces high quality colored borosilicate glass that has a COE of 33. The glass is used by lampworkers to make beads, vessels and other pieces of functional art.