A cold crucible induction melting furnace is provided with a plurality of segments separated by a plurality of slits that surround a bottom member which together form the melting chamber. Each lower end of each segment is overlapped with and spaced from a short part of a vertically extending side wall of the bottom member so as to form a horizontal gap there between. A radially and outwardly extending flange protrudes from the bottom member side wall below each segment lower end to form a lower gap there between. An induction coil is disposed around and spaced from an outer face of the segments with a lower end adjacent to each of the lower segment ends and an upper end adjacent to an upper part of each segment that is in turn connected with an adjacent upper segment part to form a short circuited part. The radial thickness of each segment from the upper end of the coil to the lower end of the segments is the same and the magnetic flux generated by the induction coil passing through the lower gap and the horizontal gap provides increased magnetic flux density at least adjacent to the region adjacent to the bottom member and the lower ends of the segments.
