Why is Dichroic Jewelry Making a Fashion Statement?

You may have seen beautiful jewelry that was labeled as 'dichroic' and wondered what exactly does that mean? Dichroic comes from the Greek meaning two colors. The glass appears to be different colors when viewed from different angles or in varying degrees of light. In basic terms it means that the dichroic glass reflects one color when light is reflected from the surface and transmits a second color when light passes through it.

Dichroic glass today is an offshoot from the space program where it was used in face plates to filter out unwanted light spectrums. Dichroic glass today has many different applications from the beautiful jewelry used by artists to optical and security industries.

The process used to make dichroic glass is highly technical and is called 'Thin Film Physics'. It is a costly process in which glass is first cleaned to the molecular level then coated with thin films of elements such as titanium, magnesium, zirconium and others. The elements are vacuum deposited onto the glass. Up to thirty layers may be applied and the elements used are what give the glass the varying colors available. The time required in the vacuum vessel may take from two and half to four hours, hence the reason for the high cost of this unique glass.

The glass is sold to artists in small sheets which are then cut by hand to fit the artists design and fused in a kiln for eight or more hours at temperatures that can reach upwards of 1490 degrees. Dichroic glass is also available in glass rods for the lampwork artist to produce beautiful beads. Lampwork artists use a torch and rods of glass to produce the beads on mandrels which are then also put in a kiln for about an hour to anneal them.

Dichroic fused pendants have become the hot new thing in the jewelry world! The nature of the glass usually makes these pendants statement pieces because they are so unusual and obvious as artisan works. Many artists make one of a kind pendants or in small editions. The pendants make great gifts because though they are handmade you can pick them up for an attractive price. Pendants come in many color choices and combination's and the dichroic accents add an affordable glimmer. You will be able to have a different pendant for everyday of the week! These pendants make great memorable gifts.

If you don't alread know, the best place to locate 90 & 96 COE dichroic glass for making dichroic jewelry, is the leading source of dichro - DichroicGlassPortal.com where you will find every color, pattern, and texture dichroic sheets, plus equipment, such as glass kilns and other tools.