Leland Blue Slag Glass

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Leland Blue Slag Glass, also known as Leland Blue or Leland Blue Stone, is a waste byproduct from the iron ore smelting process used by the Leland Lake Superior Iron Company based in the town of Leland, Michigan over one hundred years ago. The iron works, located near the mouth of the mouth of the Leland river, heated Michigan iron ore with limestone to refine the ore into material suitable for manufacturing steel.

Beech and maple hardwood based charcoal with local limestone flux was used to refine the ore, with the slag consisting of iron ore impurities dumped into Lake Michigan. About 2% of the slag has the blue color favored by collectors.

Leland blue slag glass is valued by collectors, jewelers, and lapidarists. It’s often used to make beautiful jewelry.