Dichroic Fused

Sparkly Dichroic Glass History

Dichroic glass is the most amazingly sparkly glass an artist can buy. There are so many different combinations of colors you can create just from 3 or 4 different pieces of dichroic glass! Dichroic glass comes in transparent and opaque colors.  The benefits of transparent glass is the ability to layer different tints of dichroic glass to create entirely new colors and patterns.  Placing different colors of compatible fused glass beneath the dichroic glass will create a different result too.  When I say compatible, I mean that we are using only 90 COE glass with 90 COE dichroic glass.  Never mix any other coe, like coe96 or coe104 because they are rated differently and could cause your piece to explode in the kiln.  Always keep your glass carefully separated or just stick to one COE to prevent disasters.  Coe 90 has the most choices of colors and patterns in fusing glass and dichroic glass.

Dichroic glass is loaded with depth, sparkle and beauty. It constantly changes colors as it reflects and moves within the light. I utilized red dichroic glass as a ball of fire in the fused glass dragon pendant listed here: http://bit.ly/hYtPVI. It really gave this piece the look of fire that I was going for! In addition, the red dichroic fused glass utilized in the this dichoric fused glass dragon photo looks red when you are looking at it straight on, but shifts to gold when tilted slightly:http://etsy.me/fdz3r4. I was thrilled how the dichroic fused glass really gave these red dragon pendants the extra edge!

Dichroic glass is also referred to as “Dicro” glass.  I did some digging to find out the origins of this sparkly and magnificent glass!

The first and oldest man-made type of dichroic glass uses metals, such as gold and silver, that are evenly mixed throughout the glass to form a type of colloidal dispersion called a “solid sol”. The metal particles are so small (5 – 200 nanometers) and so well dispersed throughout the glass, that on inspection, the glass appears completely homogeneous and monochromatic. A truly amazing example of this type of dichroic glass is the Lycurgus Cup. The Lycurgus Cup was created in the 4th century AD in Italy. In reflected light the glass appears green. In transmitted light the glass appears red. Check out the picture in my blog, I was amazed! http://idesignstudioss.blogspot.com.

The second and more recent type of dichroic glass uses a vacuum deposition process to add layers of various metallic oxides on top of the glass. This is what most people think of as dichroic glass.

The history of this second type of dichroic glass dates back to the 1950′s and 1960′s when NASA, defense contractors and the Department of Defense developed this high-tech material for use as optical filters. They were also looking for a solution for a shield against cosmic radiation and many other uses. For example, the golden sheen on an astronaut’s face shield is a dichroic coating meant to protect against the harsh glare of natural and obviously unfiltered sunlight.

So now you know a little more! I thought it was pretty fascinating, especially after learning how far back dichroic glass dates!!

About the Author

My name is Sherry Trautman and I have a fused glass jewelry and photography business called IDesign Studios. I sell my fused glass pendants, earrings, necklaces, bottle stoppers and lots of other creative items throughout the world! I love creating custom works of Wearable Art.  My shops feature dichroic fused glass items along with hand painted fused glass pieces.  I am a full time designer, creating my custom fused glass items in addition to wedding and family photography. I love anything creative!

Blog:  http://idesignstudioss.blogspot.com

Artfire: http://www.artfire.com/users/IDesign

Etsy:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/IDesignArtStudios

Easy way I can turn this into a pendant / necklace?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/87058900/dichroic-fused-glass-cabochon-19-mm

Go to firemountaingems.com to get a bezel finding for your stone. They have all kinds of jewelry findings.

Layering dichroic glass for fused jewelry by AAE Glass

FUSED DICHROIC HANDMADE GLASS PENDANT-rainbow star bead-Beading supplies $3.99

Handmade SHOOTING STAR Pendant Necklace FUSED GLASS DICHROIC Wire Wrap Rhineston $16.99

MULTICOLOURED HAND MADE GENUINE DICHROIC FUSED GLASS PENDANT $4.73

Artisan Fiona 22K DICHROIC FUSED GLASS ICY GREEN CHUNKY BEAD PENDANT $12.00

ARTISAN Fiona 22K DICHROIC FUSED GLASS CHUNKY PINK BEAD PENDANT $12.00

Dichroic Glass Fused Glass Sushi Dish Hand-Made Unique $32.00

Dichroic Glass Fused Glass Dish Platter Hand-Made Unique $36.00

Dichroic Glass Fused Glass Dish Hand-Made Unique $28.00

Dichroic Glass Fused Glass Dish Platter Cross Easter Religious Hand-Made Unique $28.00

Dichroic Glass Fused Glass Dish Hand-Made Unique $42.00

Dichroic Glass Fused Glass Dish Candle Holder Hand-Made Unique $52.00

Dichroic Glass Fused Glass Dish Candle Holder Vase Pendant Light Hand-Made $28.00

Artisan 22K DICHROIC FUSED GLASS PENDANT SHIMMERING PINK DEEP RED Fiona $9.99

DICHROIC FUSED GLASS JEWELRY PENDANT NECKLACE. ROCKPAPAMAN….. SET OF TEN #1 $89.99

DICHROIC FUSED GLASS JEWELRY PENDANT NECKLACE. ROCKPAPAMAN….. SET OF TEN #2 $89.99

Contemporary Earth-Tone Fused Glass Coasters with Moisture Cavity, Set of 4, Made in the USA $34.99 With a focus on fusing geometric shapes, textures, and colors into eye-pleasing combinations, these coasters present an earthy color palate that blends beautifully with your contemporary decor! This set of four fused glass coasters feature a lovely earth-inspired tones of creamy-white, green, brown, apricot and amethyst. The coasters are fashioned from hand-rolled sheets of poured glass, which is …

Dragonfly Dichroic Glass Fusion Plate $29.95 Our sushi plates are long and narrow and usable for much more than sushi. Arrange cookies, hors d’oeuvres or candies attractively on these unique plates. Size: 4″ x 12″…

Dichroic Party Stripe Glass Fusion Plate Our sushi plates are long and narrow and usable for much more than sushi! Arrange cookies, hors d’oeuvres or candies attractively on these unique plates.Size 4″ x 12″…

Glass Art Design Handmade Fused Glass Night Light, Cat $32.50 Whimsical Surfboard Night Light individually handcrafted incorporating transparent, opaque, and dichroic glass. Designed by Karen Daniel. Made in the USA….

Glass Art Design Handmade Fused Glass Night Light, Surfboard $28.50 Whimsical Surfboard Night Light individually handcrafted incorporating transparent, opaque, and dichroic glass. Designed by Karen Daniel. Made in the USA….

Murano Knob – Dichroic Fused Glass 35mm Handmade Knob Murano Fused Glass 35Mm Dichroic Handmade Knob Handcrafted Art Glass Knob — Three dimensional cobalt blue glass on bottom, overlaid with stretched silver leaf and fragments of jadeite and gold (not really gold?). Mounted on a polished chrome solid brass base This is one for aficionados of Murano jewelry and other Murano art. The creative designs captured in these art glass knobs are produced one-…

Fused Glass Jewelry DVD $21.94 Fused Glass Jewelry is a colorul, fun and easy to follow one-hour video featuring the talents of Vicki Payne and Jayne Persico. Working with Evenheat’s popular jewelry kiln and compatible fusing glasses including Coatings by Sandberg’s beautiful new dichroic glass, Vicki an Jayne take the confusion out of successfully fusing beautiful glass jewelry. In addition to covering all the basics the video…

Fused Glass Handbook $24.95 Referred to in the art glass industry as the ‘Fusers Bible’ the “Fused Glass Handbook” is a complete, easy to follow, step by step manual for anyone wanting to fuse or slump glass in a kiln. The 25 projects each teach a different aspect of kiln working glass to create stunning tiles, jewelry, bowls and sculptures. Some of the subjects covered are special tools, setting up a kiln, safety, compatibl…

The Lampworked, Fused and Carved Dichroic Beads of Carol Fonda and Monty Clark $16.95 An exciting new beadmaking booklet! This booklet contains step-by-step instructions on how to make beads like Carol Fonda and Monty Clark. Learn a number of dichroic bead styles, types and techniques….