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What is Dichroic Glass?
Dichroic glass is a specialty glass originally created for NASA for use in the space industry, but attracted artists because of its beauty, amazing colorations and glittery effect. "Dichroic" means "two colors". IT REFLECTS ONE COLOR AND TRANSMITS ANOTHER. The depth and play as the pieces move in the light and at different angles is remarkable!
Dichroic glass is one of the HOTTEST materials being used by artisans today and the most expensive glass made. Multiple michro-thin layers of different metals (gold, silver, titanium, chromium, aluminum, zirconium, manesium, silicon) are applied to the surface of the glass and then kiln fired at extreme temperatures in a vaccum.
How is Dichroic Glass Incorporated into our Jewelry?
Pieces of dichroic glass are fused between multiple layers of art glass and then placed in kiln where it is heated to approximately 1400 to 1500 degrees and then annealed (cooled) for 6 to 8 hours for strength and durability. It is then ground to its final shaped and "fire-polished" for smoothness. Some pieces can be fired multiple times until we achieve the desired effect.
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