My fascination with glass began as a young girl. My grandfather worked for Owens Corning Glass as a quality technician. On occasion, he would let me visit his lab and I would get to see all the different types of glass they made and tested. He helped me with an elaborate project in school for which I received high marks. Funny how now, later in life, I look back and see the similarities between our work choices… I’m employed as a quality engineer; I work in a field where color is very important and still love glass.
There are many different types of glass that folks collect but one in particular is very striking – Dichroic glass also know as “Dichro”. I was introduced to dichro glass very early on in my jewelry designing. Once you see a piece it is hard not to be drawn to it especially if you love color. The word Dichroic literally means two colors. The change in color is perceived because the light is reflected differently by the different oxides used in the process of creating dichroic glass.
There are only a handful of glass makers that have the technology and resources to make this special glass. The variety of oxides used in the glass allows for light to bent differently giving the effect that the color changes. Multiple firings and layers give a very special effect… one that can not be easily duplicated.
Dichroic glass can be used in a number of ways from glassblowing (inflating molten glass into a bubble), bead-making (also know as lampworking- this uses a flame and glass rods… my next learning adventure!) and glass fusing (taking two or more pieces of glass and heating them together in a kiln). The second two methods are those used most frequently in jewelry.
The technology for creating dichroic glass came from outer space, well…..almost. It was developed for the use on the Hubble telescope and is also found on the visors of helmets worn by astronauts. The gold tint on the face shield is actually dichroic glass. NASA uses this technology for high tech optical filters.
I have wire-wrapped and sold a few of these glass pieces as beautiful necklaces. I also have given dichroic glass as gifts from jewelry to wine stoppers. I’d love to hear from you if you collect or make dichroic glass jewelry. Be sure to visit the forum, say hello and let’s chat about dichroic glass and don’t forget to sign up for the Jewelry Collecting Newsletter!!
