Oxblood Inquiry

[newmarblemom]

Brand new to this site and I love it already ! I got instant replies to marbles IDs ! 

I am VERY new to marble collecting and already consider myself obsessed ! 

Quick question. 

*OXBLOOD*

Is this a brand of marble ? A style of marble ? Specific design or colors ? 

I have a ton of oxbloods that I have been able to ID through Google image search but they are all VERY different. I know now that some are just considered OXBLOODS but some are also blue OXBLOOD and silver OXBLOOD I have lemonade and I think one was called snake OXBLOOD or something with the word snake. 

Are there any specific details that make identifying an oxblood easy ?

[Wolf]

To identify an Oxblood marble, look for a deep, opaque, maroon-red color with fine black filaments or streaks. It is distinctly different from translucent red and will not light up when backlit. Oxblood glass is dense, appears to be a thin layer on the surface, and is often found with a clear, white, or other colored base, such as in corkscrew, swirl, or patch patterns" 

Oxbloods are great!!!

[Chad G.]

Oxblood in glass is a deep, rich red color created by a copper compound that is fired under a lack of oxygen (reduction) during the firing process. This method produces a dark, often opaque red that can range from a deep maroon to a rich reddish-brown, and the exact color and quality depend on the precise control of the kiln temperature and atmosphere.  

• Reduction firing: 

  The glass containing copper is fired in a kiln with a limited supply of oxygen.

  Oxygen-starved environment: 

  This "reduction" atmosphere prevents the oxygen from fully oxidizing the copper, which is necessary to achieve the desired red color.

  Temperature control: 

  The key to making good oxblood is the precise temperature at which the reduction begins.

  • If the reduction starts too early, the glaze can turn a dull red.
  • If it starts too late, the red color may not appear at all, resulting in a clear glaze.

  Characteristics of oxblood glass

  • Color: 

    It's a deep, dark red with hints of brown, resembling maroon or burgundy. 

     
  • Opacity: 

    Oxblood glass is often opaque, though it can appear translucent in areas where it is spread very thinly. 

     
  • Appearance: 

    The color can be dense and may be concentrated near the surface or run through the core of the glass object, depending on the manufacturing process. 

     
  • Applications: 

    It is used in various glass objects, such as marbles, pottery glazes, and architectural glass, with its value often tied to the skill used to create it. 

     

    Oxblood can also dive into the matrix of the marble, not restricted to the surface.

 

Surface oxblood examples :

 

[Fire1981]

Sounds like you’re sitting on a bomber collection. Start post your marbles. These are going to be fun to ID🔥

RAR

[akroorka]

On 10/14/2025 at 7:55 PM, newmarblemom said:

Google image search

If I did not welcome you before--Welcome to "TheMarbleConnection" We are the oldest marble chat group on the web.

This is a great place to start---Google images.

AI does not know marbles---yet----stay away from the AI for any ID on marbles for the time being at least.

Like Fire 1981- says--get us us nice clear images, well cropped, two or three at a time with several angles of the marble itself.

Thanks for posting here and expect the best/most accurate results available on the web.

Marble--On!!

[Chad G.]

" A Big Welcome to the Marble Connection from me as well"  

                    Sometimes it just gets plane busy here, no excuses,. I'm the one that's late.

[newmarblemom]

On 10/14/2025 at 6:40 PM, Chad G. said:

Oxblood in glass is a deep, rich red color created by a copper compound that is fired under a lack of oxygen (reduction) during the firing process. This method produces a dark, often opaque red that can range from a deep maroon to a rich reddish-brown, and the exact color and quality depend on the precise control of the kiln temperature and atmosphere.  

• Reduction firing: 

  The glass containing copper is fired in a kiln with a limited supply of oxygen.

  Oxygen-starved environment: 

  This "reduction" atmosphere prevents the oxygen from fully oxidizing the copper, which is necessary to achieve the desired red color.

  Temperature control: 

  The key to making good oxblood is the precise temperature at which the reduction begins.

  • If the reduction starts too early, the glaze can turn a dull red.
  • If it starts too late, the red color may not appear at all, resulting in a clear glaze.

  Characteristics of oxblood glass

  • Color: 

    It's a deep, dark red with hints of brown, resembling maroon or burgundy. 

     
  • Opacity: 

    Oxblood glass is often opaque, though it can appear translucent in areas where it is spread very thinly. 

     
  • Appearance: 

    The color can be dense and may be concentrated near the surface or run through the core of the glass object, depending on the manufacturing process. 

     
  • Applications: 

    It is used in various glass objects, such as marbles, pottery glazes, and architectural glass, with its value often tied to the skill used to create it. 

     

    Oxblood can also dive into the matrix of the marble, not restricted to the surface.

 

Surface oxblood examples :

 

Wow very interesting ! That is quite the process. All of the ones I have been able to identify so far have the oxblood very near or appears to actually be on the surface. The photos you shared with the deep oxblood are absolutely beautiful and lead me to believe that I may have missed some ! Thank you so much !

[Royal3]

2 hours ago, newmarblemom said:

Wow very interesting ! That is quite the process. All of the ones I have been able to identify so far have the oxblood very near or appears to actually be on the surface. The photos you shared with the deep oxblood are absolutely beautiful and lead me to believe that I may have missed some ! Thank you so much !

“Deep oxblood” might be the love language for some of our members here, given the popularity of those that marbles that have it. 

[akroorka]

50 minutes ago, Royal3 said:

“Deep oxblood”

Nice marble here Royal3!

Thanks for sharing it!

Marble--On!!