AMACO Celadon (C) Glazes: The Guide to the Miscible Series

Few glazing traditions have as long a history as Celadon. What began in Chinese kilns nearly 2,000 years ago and became an imperial court art during the Song Dynasty remains one of the world's most sought-after ceramic aesthetics to this day.^[1]

The AMACO Celadon series (abbreviation: C) brings this exact aesthetic to the modern electric kiln, supplementing it with something that never existed in the classical tradition: a system of colors that are 100% intermixable.^[2]

In this guide, we explain how the Celadon series works, how it differs from the AMACO Potter's Choice series, how to mix your own colors, and which combinations are worth trying for beginners. If you are already familiar with our Potter's Choice Guide, you will find this to be the perfect complement: both series are officially designed as layering partners for one another.^[3]

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What is the Celadon series?

The Celadon series from the US manufacturer AMACO is a collection of transparent, glossy glazes for mid-range firing at Cone 5 to 6, i.e., for temperatures between 1,186°C and 1,222°C in a standard electric kiln.^[2] Although the series goes up to number 65 (color Tangelo), as of summer 2026 there are 33 colors to choose from, ranging from classic jade green to blue, yellow, and orange, as well as grey and black. It is offered as a liquid brushing glaze in 472 ml (pint) containers, with six colors additionally available in 1-gallon bottles (3.8 l). For dipping, all colors are also available as 10 lb dry powder. All colors are lead-free and food-safe after firing.^[4]

^{The 472 ml bottles are the most common form of Celadon brushing glazes}

The name traces back to one of the oldest glazing traditions in the world. Authentic celadon originated in China during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 AD) and reached its artistic peak during the Song Dynasty (960–1279), when imperial kilns like Longquan, Ru, and Guan perfected the famous jade-green glazes.^[1] The characteristic green color is traditionally created by a small amount of iron oxide in the glaze, which turns green in a reduction firing.^[5] Korea also developed an independent, world-famous celadon tradition during the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), and in Japan, the ware known as seiji was particularly prized by tea masters.^[1] If you are interested in the Japanese aesthetic of this tradition, you can find more in our post Wabi-Sabi Ceramics.

Important for context: AMACO has intentionally expanded the term. The C series is based on the behavior of the historical models—transparency, gloss, and the pooling of the glaze in depressions—but applies this principle to a whole color palette far beyond the classic green.^[2] A "celadon" in orange or violet would be a historical contradiction. However, as a modern product family, the concept works perfectly because the visual behavior of all colors follows the classic model.

The core principle: transparency and glaze pooling

To understand when Celadon is the right choice, you must internalize a single principle: Celadon glazes are transparent and react to application thickness. Where the glaze is thick, the color appears dark and rich. Where it is thin, it remains light and allows the clay body to show through.^[4]

The principle behind this is the gathering of the glaze in depressions, known as pooling: on a textured surface, the liquid glaze collects in the deeper areas during firing. In carved lines, stamped patterns, throwing grooves, or relief edges, the glaze is thicker and results in a darker color. On the raised areas, it remains thin and light. The result: the glaze highlights the structure of the piece instead of covering it up. Every carved pattern, every stamp, and every groove is accentuated.^[2]

This is precisely the difference compared to opaque glazes: an opaque glaze makes a carved mug and a smooth mug look almost identical. A Celadon glaze turns the carved mug into a work of art, while the smooth one remains relatively plain. Celadon needs texture to shine.

Celadon glazes highlight the structure of the piece instead of masking it.

A second consequence of the transparency: The clay body is part of the equation. On white stoneware, the colors appear clear and vibrant; on beige or light-brown firing clay, they appear warm and muted; on dark clay, they almost disappear.^[4] If you want to see the colors as they look in the AMACO example images, it is best to use white or light stoneware. You can find suitable clays in our Pottery Clay assortment.

Celadon vs. Potter's Choice: the difference

A common question: what is the difference between the two popular AMACO series? The short answer: Potter's Choice creates its own unique effects, while Celadon emphasizes the effects you have worked into the clay. Here is the direct comparison:

The Celadon (C) glaze C-49 Rainforest

The Potter's Choice (PC) glaze PC-46 Lustrous Jade

Both series fire in the same temperature range and can therefore be easily combined in the same kiln and even on the same piece.^[3] The technical details for the Potter's Choice series, including all color families and layering combinations, can be found in our comprehensive Potter's Choice Guide.

Mixing colors: the unique selling point

Now for the series' true trump card: All Celadon glazes are 100% intermixable.^[2] This may sound unspectacular, but in the market for ready-made brushing glazes, it is a rarity. With most commercial glaze series, mixing two colors leads to unpredictable chemical reactions. With the C series, AMACO has built all colors on the same base formulation, so they behave like paints: blue plus yellow equals green, reliably and reproducibly.

This transforms the series from a set of colors into a true color palette. Instead of being limited to the 33 standard colors, you can mix almost any intermediate shade yourself. Three tools are particularly helpful for this:^[6]

• C-11 Mixing Clear is the series' colorless base glaze. You can use it to dilute any color, making it more transparent and lighter without altering the glaze chemistry. For anyone who wants to mix colors seriously, C-11 is the most important single glaze in the series.
  
  
• C-1 Obsidian (Black) darkens any color and creates deep, muted tones. Even small amounts change the mixture significantly, so dose with caution.
  
  
• C-10 Snow (White) makes colors more pastel and softer, though it also reduces transparency. The right choice for delicate, milky tones.

C-1 Obsidian as a 472 ml bottle

In practice, mixing works by volume, using measuring spoons or measuring cups rather than a scale.^[6] An example: 3 parts C-20 Cobalt plus 1 part C-11 Mixing Clear result in a lighter, more transparent blue. Two things are important here. First: Shake both glazes thoroughly before mixing so the solids are evenly distributed. Second: Note down every mixing ratio immediately. Nothing is more frustrating than a perfect custom color that can never be reproduced because the recipe is missing.

To be honest, there is one limitation: mixability only applies within the Celadon series. Mixing Celadon with Potter's Choice or other glaze series leads to unpredictable results and is not recommended by AMACO. The series can be layered (more on that in the layering section), but not mixed in the bucket.

Application: How to apply Celadon correctly

The basic rule is the same as for Potter's Choice: 3 coats on bisque ware at Cone 04, allow each coat to dry completely, then fire to Cone 5 to 6.^[6] Our article What is a bisque fire? explains exactly what bisque ware is.

A practical feature to start with: Pure Celadon glazes are stable and barely run during firing. This makes them pleasant to handle, meaning you have to worry less about drips or stuck kiln shelves than with highly fluid glazes. Only when you combine Celadon with a fluid Potter's Choice glaze does movement come into play (more on that in a moment).

A Celadon glaze emphasizes every surface texture: the glaze collects in the recesses and develops a darker color there. Clearly visible on three techniques on one tile: left, carving; center, slip trailing; right, water etching

 

Any uneven spot, every brush mark, and every overlap remains visible after firing as a lighter or darker zone because the color depth depends directly on the coat thickness. Therefore: work evenly, apply coats in a crosshatch pattern, and check before firing that the surface covers uniformly.

Layering: Celadon under Potter's Choice

AMACO officially recommends the combination: 3 coats of Celadon as a base, topped with 3 coats of Potter's Choice, fired to Cone 6.^[3] The transparent Celadon base gives the piece a clear base color, while the PC glaze over it provides flow and effect. Two proven combinations to get started:

• PC-57 Smokey Merlot over C-1 Obsidian: deep black with plum-colored accents
• PC-21 Arctic Blue over C-20 Cobalt: dark blue base with light flow marks

With a total application of six coats, the glaze will noticeably run. Therefore: glaze the bottom third thinner, leave at least 1 cm unglazed at the bottom, and protect the kiln shelf with kiln wash. You can find more combinations in the Potter's Choice Guide.

Example of the combination PC-57 Smokey Merlot over C-1 Obsidian

Which projects is Celadon suitable for?

Ideal: Pieces with carving, relief work, slip trailing, water etching, stamped patterns, and visible throwing lines, preferably on white or light-colored clay. AMACO cites exactly these four techniques as prime examples because the glaze collects in the recesses and emphasizes the structure.

Less suitable: smooth pieces without texture (the glaze looks plain, almost inconspicuous there) and dark clay bodies (the transparent colors disappear visually). If you work on dark clay or want opaque effects, it is better to use Potter's Choice directly.

Food safety and safety

All Celadon glazes are lead-free and, when fired correctly, food safe.^[4] Most colors carry the AP (Approved Product, non-toxic) seal. Three colors are an exception: C-27 Storm, C-47 Jade, and C-49 Rainforest carry the CL (Caution Label) seal.^[7] This does not mean that the finished pieces would be hazardous. The CL seal only concerns labeling when handling the liquid glaze, not the finished pieces. According to AMACO, all Celadon colors are food safe without exception, including these three. A practical difference: the colors marked with the AP seal are also explicitly approved for spray application.

Look for this symbol on Amaco glaze bottles, which indicates food safety. Occasionally, it says "Dinnerware Safe" instead of "Food Safe".

Regardless of this, anyone selling tableware commercially should note: AMACO recommends that manufacturers of items for sale have the finished pieces tested for food safety, as firing conditions can influence the result. This applies especially to custom-mixed colors.

Note: All information regarding food safety comes from AMACO and refers to properly fired ware. Please read the manufacturer's instructions for each glaze carefully.

Which Celadon colors for beginners?

Our recommendation for a sensible basic set:

1. C-11 Mixing Clear: the base for all mixing, a mandatory purchase
2. C-20 Cobalt: rich, reliable blue
3. C-1 Obsidian: black for darkening and as a layering base
4. C-10 Snow: white for pastel tones
5. C-49 Rainforest: glossy stoneware glaze in a deep forest green

With these five glazes, you can already cover a wide color spectrum thanks to their mixability. You can find all available colors in our glaze assortment.

Frequently asked questions about the Celadon series

What does Celadon actually mean?
The term traditionally describes greenish, iron-rich glazes from the Asian ceramic tradition. The European name likely traces back to Céladon, a character from a 17th-century French novel who wore green ribbons.^[5] AMACO uses the term for the entire series of transparent glossy glazes.

Can I mix Celadon with Potter's Choice?
No, not in the bucket. The series layer excellently on top of one another, but cannot be blended. Only Celadon colors can be mixed with each other.

Why does my Celadon glaze look blotchy?
Almost always due to uneven application. With transparent glazes, every variation in coat thickness is visible as a color difference. Apply more evenly, work in a crosshatch pattern, three full coats.

Does Celadon work on dark clay?
Technically yes, visually mostly disappointing. The transparent colors need a light background to glow. On dark clay, often only a dark shimmer remains.

Are Celadon glazes dishwasher safe?
Yes, properly fired to Cone 5 to 6, Celadon glazes on dense stoneware are suitable for everyday use and dishwasher safe.

Conclusion

The Celadon series is the counterpart to Potter's Choice: not an effect glaze, but a tool that makes your own work visible. Anyone who carves, stamps, or works with texture will find the right glaze here. And the 100% mixability makes the series the only true color palette among commercial brush-on glazes. We are happy to advise you if you have questions about selection.

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