Sink Care & Installation

HOW IS ALCHEMY GLASS MADE?

All glass work is handcrafted by us at our studio factory in Los Angeles. Alchemy Glass is the result of a process in which glass is fused and slumped. Fusing and slumping is classified as a "warm process" vs. blown glass (a "hot process" of molten glass). In kiln ovens, we slowly heat glass in excess of 1000 degress fahrenheit which fuses the glass together, trapping a unique mix of minerals and metals within the piece forever. With careful heating and cooling processes which we've developed over many years, the glass is super annealed—solid and much stronger than when it was raw glass. Our pieces are 3/4"-1" thick and strong enough that they rarely shatter even when abused. We prefer the look of super annealed glass over tempered for its clarity and luster. All in all, it takes two or more weeks to create an Alchemy sink from start to finish. One wouldn't expect a work of art to be created in 1 day!

ONE-OF-A-KIND
The natural process doesn’t allow us to predetermine or control exact coloration. Yes, we can influence general charactistics like a deep burgundy center or a light coppery center. But it is the alchemical magic of nature and elements that create multicolored rims with blues, bronze, violet, flint, ochre, etc. Each and every piece is a unique work of art and cannot be duplicated exactly. This is part of what makes Alchemy glass so desirable. Most color we see in the man-made world is determined by a mixture of pigments to be constant and somewhat specific. There is no pigment in Alchemy Glass; we do not paint the color and pattern. Colors not only vary from piece to piece but also within a piece itself, depending on how the piece is lit and from what angle you may be viewing it. Think of a butterfly wing and you start to get the idea.

CLEANING THE SINK
Caring for the glass sinks is very simple. The inside surface is a normal glass surface, so clean it with glass cleaner and a soft cloth. The outside surface is easy to keep clean with water or glass cleaner as well. DO NOT use Abrasive cleaners as they will leave scratches in the surface that will take away from the beauty of your sink.

HARD WATER SPOTS If your water is hard or high in mineral content, stubborn white deposits may appear. Some Alchemy sink owners keep a cloth on hand to wipe the sink dry after use, but you can't expect every guest to do so. We recommend using a soft cloth to rub distilled white vinegar on the stain, leave for several minutes, and rinse thoroughly. Don't leave vinegar standing on the drain cap for a period of time as that can damage the plated finish. Store-bought hard water stain/lime remover is effective but toxic. For really stubborn water stains, we recommend 000 ("triple aught") steel wool, which is extremely fine. Used carefully, it will not leave visible scratches.

SCRATCHES Sooner or later all glass surfaces develop scratch marks. However, scratching is usually caused when some sort of grit — a piece of sand or even large dust particles—gets caught between the glass and another surface. Avoid dropping or even leaving metal or glass objects in the sink. It’s probably a good idea not to let anything rattle around in the sink at all. And when cleaning, avoid using abrasive scrubbing solutions (such as Comet or Ajax). Simple glass and mirror cleaners work great.

EXTERIOR The outer surface of the sink has been sandblasted to give the frosted look. We have also applied a coat of polymer seal to protect against fingerprints. If you would like to maintain the coating, you may reapply Rain-X from your local auto parts store every few months or whenever it appears to have worn off. Rain-X is the consumer version of what we use. When the outer surface is protected, most scuff marks and smudges will simply wipe off with a towel and a little glass cleaner.

HOW STRONG IS AN ALCHEMY SINK BASIN?
An Alchemy glass sink is basically as durable as a porcelain sink. The process we use to create our sinks also serves to strengthen the glass by super annealing it. The combination of the long annealing process and the thickness of the glass creates a piece that is very strong. Despite its added strength, glass can still be vulnerable to stress, usually due to improper installation or thermal shock. As a general rule, if it's too hot for you, then it's too hot for the sink. We recommend not installing recirculating or instant hot water at the site and limiting the site to 120°F. If the household has recirculating or instant hot water throughout, ask your contractor or plumber about installing a thermal regulator for the sink site. If installed where ambient temperature is unregulated (i.e. mountain vacation homes), be aware to allow the sink to warm gradually to room temperature before running warm or hot water.
Alchemy has designed a drain assembly specifically for our sinks. When the Alchemy drain assembly is installed properly, there will be a watertight seal with no stress on the glass. Make sure the drain is hand-tightened only and that rubber gaskets remain in place. Do not use plumbers putty or silicone on the sink or drain hole.

Another thing glass doesn’t like is abrupt changes in temperature. This is known as Thermal Shock. As long as you take care not to turn on very hot water into a cold sink, you should have nothing to worry about. Please realize this means that glass sinks should never be installed with a ‘closed-loop’ or always-on hot water system. Shaving can safely occur in the sink if the glass is warmed gradually over several minutes. But please don't switch suddenly to cold water for that bracing splash at the end. Again, cool the glass temperature down gradually over several minutes before running cold water.

INSTALLATION OF YOUR ALCHEMY SINK
Round sinks — can be installed as either Above-Counter or undermount.
Oval sinks — can be installed as Undermount, Flushmount or Self-Rimming
All Alchemy sinks are sold with complete installation instructions. If you or your contractor cannot locate these instructions, you may download them here.

Some important points to remember for above counter top installations:
Alchemy sinks should NOT be installed directly on a flat countertop without proper mounting support.

The bottom of the sinks are round and although the round sinks can be installed above-counter, they cannot sit on a flat countertop by themselves. We have designed a number of vanity bases, pedestals, glass countertops and other supports specifically for this sink. We particularly like setting the sink into the countertop: 5" diameter hole for a 15" sink, or 8" diameter hole for an 18" sink. If none of those fit your application, we also offer a Brass Donut, which is a mounting ring that sits between the sink and any flat counter. In any event, please make sure to consider how stable and water-safe the installation will be.

CAN I USE ANOTHER DRAIN WITH MY ALCHEMY SINK?
Yes you can, but Alchemy will not be held responsible if any damage is caused to your sink because you have not used an Alchemy drain. An Alchemy Strainer Drain assembly (in the finish of your choice) is included with the purchase of every Alchemy sink.

We highly recommend that you always use the Alchemy drain assembly with your Alchemy sink. Why, you ask? Because The Alchemy Drain Assembly is custom designed for our sinks. Not only is the Strainer Drain cap aesthetically beautiful (they are concave to match the interior curvature of the bowl and form a flush fit), both Drain Assemblies are engineered for proper installation. The rubber gaskets protect the glass from contacting the metal, forming an important, cushioning barrier to prevent stress on the sink. If another manufacturer’s drain assembly is installed, we cannot be held responsible for resulting damages. A strainer drain cap is standard; lift 'n turn cap is optional.

LIGHTING THE SINK
Proper lighting will take a beautiful setting and turn it into a truly stunning work of art, eliciting frequent compliments. Pure, strong white light reflects back the infinite colors of the minerals trapped within the glass. You'll find that changing the angle of the light will change coloration and patterning, as well as changing your viewing position. We recommend an overhead spotlight directed at the sink or lighting the sink from below when installed as an undermount. If using halogen lighting, keep potentially hot elements well away from the glass as this will stress the glass and cause thermal shock. More efficient and longer lasting lighting technology is available so consult with a lighting specialist for best results.