Many have commented how much Dichroic glass look like opals and that its iridescence is
observed in dragonfly wings and hummingbird feathers, but this magical glass really comes from a
space age technology that NASA developed to protect the Shuttle as it re-entered the atmosphere.
Their engineers were looking for transparent mediums that would filter out unwanted spectrum of
light. The result was Dichroic glass, a transparent medium that will reflect one color and transmit
another, while sometimes filtering out other ranges.
To create Dichroic glass is a technical and exacting process involving vacuum chambers, electron
beams, and various metallic oxides which are bonded or combined with hot glass.
Made in a vacuum chamber by depositing multiple layers of metallic oxides on the surface of the
glass, the Dichroic coating has no color. The colors one sees are created by light striking the coating
on the glass. Each piece of Dichroic glass has three colors associated with it: a reflected color, a
transmitted color and a third reflective color that can be viewed at a 45-degree angle. Due to the
complexity in creating this special glass, it is very expensive and somewhat unpredictable to work
with.
Each piece is unique and contains Dichroic Glass. An artist can follow a "recipe" to create
Dichroic glass art jewelry, but the results are always a little different. The coatings that are deposited
on the base glass can be thicker on one area of the sheet producing more intense color, so the end
product can vary.
We hope you enjoy your purchase, and are prepared to accept compliments when you wear it!
observed in dragonfly wings and hummingbird feathers, but this magical glass really comes from a
space age technology that NASA developed to protect the Shuttle as it re-entered the atmosphere.
Their engineers were looking for transparent mediums that would filter out unwanted spectrum of
light. The result was Dichroic glass, a transparent medium that will reflect one color and transmit
another, while sometimes filtering out other ranges.
To create Dichroic glass is a technical and exacting process involving vacuum chambers, electron
beams, and various metallic oxides which are bonded or combined with hot glass.
Made in a vacuum chamber by depositing multiple layers of metallic oxides on the surface of the
glass, the Dichroic coating has no color. The colors one sees are created by light striking the coating
on the glass. Each piece of Dichroic glass has three colors associated with it: a reflected color, a
transmitted color and a third reflective color that can be viewed at a 45-degree angle. Due to the
complexity in creating this special glass, it is very expensive and somewhat unpredictable to work
with.
Each piece is unique and contains Dichroic Glass. An artist can follow a "recipe" to create
Dichroic glass art jewelry, but the results are always a little different. The coatings that are deposited
on the base glass can be thicker on one area of the sheet producing more intense color, so the end
product can vary.
We hope you enjoy your purchase, and are prepared to accept compliments when you wear it!
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| All images & content contained in this site are protected by Copyright © 2008 Artitude Studio and should not be reproduced and/or copied without express permission. All Rights are Reserved. |
| DICHROIC PENDANTS |
