The Beach Shells Medium mold from Colour de Verre casts three sea shells in a single firing: a conch shell, a spiral whelk, and a scallop shell, each approximately 2.5 inches long. The mold measures 7.5 inches by 4.75 inches by 1.25 inches deep, a practical size for casting coastal accents for home decor, jewelry components, or elements in a larger glass art composition.
Fill the cavities with frit to the weights Colour de Verre specifies: 18 grams for the conch shell, 10 grams for the spiral whelk, and 32 grams for the scallop shell. The finished shells can be displayed on their own or combined with pieces cast in other Colour de Verre coastal molds. Like all ceramic casting molds, this one is COE agnostic and reusable across many firings when prepped and cared for properly.
What does the Beach Shells Medium mold make?
It casts three sea shells in one firing: a conch shell, a spiral whelk, and a scallop shell. Each finished shell is approximately 2.5 inches long. They work well as jewelry pieces, home decor accents, or components in a sea life glass composition.
How much frit do I need per cavity?
Colour de Verre lists 18 grams for the conch shell, 10 grams for the spiral whelk, and 32 grams for the scallop shell. Weigh your frit and test a first run when the result matters.
What COE glass works with this mold?
Any COE. Ceramic casting molds are COE agnostic, so the same mold works with COE96, COE90, or other compatible fusible glass. Match your firing schedule and anneal temperature to the glass you are using.
How do I prep the mold before each firing?
Prime every cavity before every firing with a boron nitride mold primer or kiln wash and let it dry completely before adding frit. Colour de Verre specifically recommends ZYP BN Lubricoat or Hotline Primo Primer for their ceramic casting molds.
Specifications
- SKU: 181803
- Manufacturer: Colour de Verre
- Makes: 3 sea shells (conch shell, spiral whelk, scallop shell)
- Finished piece size: approximately 2.5 inches long each
- Mold size: 7.5 inches L x 4.75 inches W x 1.25 inches deep
- Suggested fill weight: 18 g (conch shell), 10 g (spiral whelk), 32 g (scallop shell)
- Material: ceramic kiln casting mold, reusable
- Glass: any COE (COE agnostic)
Working Notes
These are guidelines, not guarantees. Every kiln fires a little differently, so test a small run first when the result matters and follow a casting schedule suited to your glass and kiln.
- Prime every cavity before every firing with ZYP Boron Nitride Mold Primer or Hotline Primo Primer, and let it dry completely before adding frit. Colour de Verre requires priming before every use.
- Fill each cavity with frit to the suggested weights: 18 grams for the conch shell, 10 grams for the spiral whelk, and 32 grams for the scallop shell. Actual fill may vary with your glass and desired piece thickness.
- For optimal clarity and detail in the finished shells, Colour de Verre recommends firing at the cooler end of the recommended temperature range.
- Let the kiln cool fully before removing cast pieces. Re-prime the mold before each subsequent firing.
Colour de Verre Suggested Firing Schedule
This is a suggested starting point, not a guarantee. Every kiln fires differently. Follow the Colour de Verre project sheet for this mold and test a small run first before firing a full batch.
- Heat rate: no faster than about 350 F (195 C) per hour
- COE96 target temperature: 1290 to 1310 F (700 to 710 C)
- COE90 target temperature: approximately 25 F (15 C) hotter than COE96
- Maximum temperature: do not exceed about 1450 F (785 C)
- Anneal soak: about 950 F for COE96, or about 900 F for COE90
Helpful downloads: Priming with ZYP Spray (PDF) · Tricks of the Trade (PDF)
Description updated: July 6, 2026
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