How does glow jelly work?
Glow jelly is a mix of glow pigments and water-retaining granules that swells with tap water into a firm, jelly-like gel. The pigment spreads through the gel, stores light and releases it again in the dark – without electricity, batteries or cables. 50 g of mix plus 1 litre of water makes approx. 1 litre of gel.
Which variant suits you?
The variants differ in daylight colour, glow colour and whether they contain glitter.
| Variant | By day | In the dark |
|---|---|---|
| Natural/Blue-Green | light, whitish | blue-green |
| Glitter Natural/Blue-Green | light, whitish, sparkling | blue-green |
| Glitter Blue/Blue-Green | blue, sparkling | blue-green |
| Glitter Yellow/Yellow-Green | yellow, sparkling | yellow-green |
| Glitter Pink/Yellow-Green | pink, sparkling | green |
The glitter sparkles in the jar by day, so the gel looks decorative even in daylight. In the dark, the afterglow takes over.
How to mix glow jelly
Mixing takes only a few minutes; a container is not included.
- Put the contents into a container that holds at least 1 litre, for example a clip-top or preserving jar.
- Pour in 1 litre of tap water.
- Stir or shake vigorously for about 3 minutes until the mass is firm. This spreads the pigment evenly as the gel swells.
- Place the jar in daylight or hold it under a lamp. The gel will then glow in the dark.
How long does the gel glow and keep?
After a full charge, in complete darkness, the gel glows for several hours, at its strongest in the first few minutes. The glow then gradually fades, and you can recharge it as often as you like. Tightly sealed, without air getting in, the mixed gel keeps for a long time. How quickly it dries out depends on the lid: the tighter the jar closes, the longer it stays fresh.
The gel is not suitable as a reading lamp. In a dark room, however, it is enough as a gentle orientation light, for example in the hallway or as a night light next to the bed.
Ideas for glow jelly
- Bottle lamp and table decoration: a jar that decorates by day and glows in the evening.
- Orientation: gentle light in the hallway or in a tent when camping.
- Balcony and terrace: decoration that needs no cable.
- Night light: next to the bedside lamp, the jar charges well.
Good to know
The gel glows for orientation and as an effect; it does not replace a lamp. It becomes visible in real darkness. Glow jelly is not a toy and not edible. Not for children under 5. You can dispose of leftovers with household waste. We will send you the safety data sheet (SDS) on request.
If you want to work the glow in permanently, take a look at glow granules and glow powder. Granules, Stones & Jelly compares all forms, and Afterglow explained shows why glow pigments glow.