The amazing brilliance of Dichroic glass is achieved by vaporizing metallic oxide onto glass sheets in a controlled vacuum.

Multiple layers of the treated glass create the dazzling colors. The cut and stacked pieces are fused in a kiln, often several times.

Further annealing, grinding and firepolishing result in beautiful and unique jewelry. 

Also, more layers provide more color depth. Here’s a piece that I got from my mother-in-law:

Here’s a couple of pendants I got for my birthday from San Souci:

Dichroic glass jewelry is a real attention-getter. You will be amazed at the notice people take of this unusual and dramatic art glass. The pieces are one-of-a-kind. I love the way it resembles stained glass.

Each hand-crafted batch of glass can never be duplicated in the same way again. The pieces gather their light and are sparked by the colors that surround them, allowing them to change as we do.

Dichroic glass is a high-tech spin-off of the space industry. “Dichroic” is defined as the property of having more than one color, especially when viewed from different angles or from transmitted to reflected light. Dichroic coated glass is produced by a process called “thin film physics” and is generally referred to as a color separator. It’s normally used as an interference filter in scientific measuring or correcting applications. To get this effect, thin layers of metallic oxides, such as titanium, silicon, and magnesium are deposited upon the surface of the glass in a high temperature, vacuum furnace.

If you don’t understand how it’s made, neither do I. Just enjoy it for what it is. It’s fun and interesting jewelry ! 

delete reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Mar 15, ’08 It’s my favorite! I just keep collecting it. The pieces I got you are from a couple in Santa Fe; he actually worked for NASA and was said to have developed this glass for jewelry from rocket insulation; I’ll do a post on my collection sown the road. The depth of color is intense–there are so many layers of colors and metallics.  We are actually seeing the opposite color of the color used. They are so much fun and just gorgeous. Thanks for another fab post!

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Mar 15, ’08 It makes you appreciate science more, I guess !

delete reply philsgal7759 wrote on Mar 15, ’08 i don’t get it exactly but I do like it

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Mar 15, ’08 Narice, it’s not really important to have to understand how it’s made. Maybe my sister can explain it better. It’s so cool to wear.

delete reply starfishred wrote on Mar 16, ’08 Wonderful so wonderful such intense colors thanks for sharing.

delete reply nemo4sun wrote on Mar 16, ’08 how cool 🙂

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Mar 16, ’08 It’s just colorful glass !

delete reply fluffyj wrote on Mar 17, ’08 I love dichroic glass!  Sometimes the colors are so dazzling, I can imagine all kinds of stories about their whereabouts and history… strictly fictional, but the imagination and eyes do dazzle!

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Mar 17, ’08 Hi Fluffyj, I love the fact that each piece is a unique one-of-a-kind creation.