The CRAZIest thing...

[Sloopjohnbee]

So I figured I'll break out a pipe after my almost 12 month break from smoking completely... I took out a new pipe which I had never smoked an NOS small time artisan pipe. I placed it in an ozone treatment for an hour - lo and behold(stand by on a photo later) the solid black matte finish turned into a glassy looking a bluish silvery iridescent shiny stem - like those you'll find that some would consider fancy - What the heck!? oxidation - I mean I'm not completely unhappy and it kind of adds character - but what gives - what began as what I thought as an ebonite/rubber black stem turned into what I'd consider in my mind an acrylic mouthpiece.
As for the smoke - it was quite enjoyable - some Mac Baren Virgina flakes from 2002 courtesy of a spectacular member. Can anyone explain this?

 

[elessar]

I look forward to the pictures. Why the ozone treatment? Ozone is O3 and a powerful oxidizer. The ozone treatment probably caused very rapid oxidation. Perhaps the rate of oxidation creates different optical properties.

 

[jaytex1969]

Maybe that will turn out to be a controlled, durable oxidation, like the blueing on a fine rifle, and ward off less desirable changes.

You might be on to something...

Yes, before and after pics, if you have them, would be interesting.

 

[trouttimes]

 

[elessar]

Maybe that will turn out to be a controlled, durable oxidation, like the blueing on a fine rifle, and ward off less desirable changes.
View attachment 30310

That would be pretty damn cool. Pics please.

 

[jaytex1969]

Who are you who are so wise....

Baltimore City Public schools, baby!

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

hold your horses pics by the end of the day y'all

 

[mso489]

I too wonder why the ozone treatment with a new pipe? I hadn't heard of that, just curious.

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

So what you have here is a selection of photos - the right side of the stem upon shining the light gives a transparent acrylic type of lucite iridescent look(navy BLUE to silver effect). Almost like a clear look to it while rotating under light. But as you notice from afar it's still black - I still don't know what this is actually made of - unlikely bakelite ? I've seen pipe stems like this online.
I used O3 because it was purchased from a thrift shop and I don't know where it's been. Anyway, see if you can add to this mystery.

 

[coming to_falling too]

So what you have here is a selection of photos - the right side of the stem upon shining the light gives a transparent acrylic type of lucite iridescent look(navy BLUE to silver effect). Almost like a clear look to it while rotating under light. But as you notice from afar it's still black - I still don't know what this is actually made of - unlikely bakelite ? I've seen pipe stems like this online.
I used O3 because it was purchased from a thrift shop and I don't know where it's been. Anyway, see if you can add to this mystery.

Yup, that's a pipe alright

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

through some research blue usually occurs with ionization of air - so the 03 may have ionized the plastic