Anyone tried Viva glass effect gel?

[monkeychunk]

I am stuck working on a ship abroad for the next couple of month so I brought some materials to knock up a batch of flies. Before I left I was wandering around the shops looking for "stuff" and came across "ViVa Glass effect gel" (web site available) It is a jewellery suppy that is used to make small beads. It comes in loads of colours and finishes.
I have had a try of the clear and red, putting it on a bare hook it tends to flow into a nice bead that can be controlled in shape and size. When used on thread it can form eyes and heads. The consistency is a "gel" and is squeezed from a tube.
I thought this find might be worth sharing with fellow tyers out there. You may find other uses from the material.

[arkle]

Hi & welcome along. I'm afraid I haven't, it sounds rather light in weight. Most of the bead-headed flies we use are weighted with copper/brass/tungsten. It may be okay "for effect" but I don't know how durable it might be with things like water & velocity to cope with. Be interested to find out more though.

[gus262]

sounds interesting.... What's the cure time like?

[monkeychunk]

This stuff comes out the tube like thick gel. After applying it you have a couple of minutes while it is still pliable. (So you have time to form heads etc). I have experimented and can dab both sides of a hook with a small amount and by turning the hook it forms into a round bead, alternatively by tilting the hook I can make the bead more oval in profile.
After 5-10 minutes it has set then after half an hour it is hard. i can't dent it with a finger nail and it sticks like glue (can't budge it). It is light so not much use as head weight however I have applied it over various tinsels to make good buzzers. It comes in loads of colours and a range of pearlescent shades. I seem to remember it cost about £2.80 a tube which will go a long way. Jewellery makers use it to simulate gems on material and metal findings.