| New advances in the development of materials | | | | in angle a second colour is viewed as the |
| are constantly affecting the fashion | | | | light passes through the glass. The |
| industry, for example new or evolved fibres | | | | additional process of fusing the glass |
| lead to improved fire and crease resistance | | | | together at high temperatures "melts" the |
| of fabrics. These developments often allow | | | | glass and further alters its colour and |
| for the creation of ever more stunning and | | | | character. Completed Dichroic glass therefore |
| impressive designs and this is true of | | | | has a hidden depth of ever changing colour |
| Dichroic glass and contemporary jewellery. | | | | that is reminiscent of elements in nature |
| | | | such as dragonfly wings and peacock feathers. |
| Dichroic coatings (pronounced di-crow-ic) are | | | | |
| in fact no new technology, they were | | | | Handmade Dichroic glass jewellery is an |
| developed in Germany over 100 years ago and | | | | extremely skilled art form which, when done |
| have since been used for applications ranging | | | | well achieves beautiful and stunning results. |
| from the diagnosing of certain diseases to | | | | The design possibilities are limitless in all |
| use in heat seeking missiles. Dichroic glass | | | | areas; colour, shape, pattern, texture etc |
| was originally developed for use in the U.S | | | | and with a creative designer tremendously |
| aerospace industry but today we see it in a | | | | unique and interesting pieces can be |
| much more artistic light as it revolutionises | | | | produced. It is a contemporary medium for |
| designer glass jewellery. | | | | jewellery which can be adapted for both |
| | | | everyday wear and for striking special |
| The process of creating Dichroic glass | | | | occasion pieces that dance in the light like |
| involves the accurate depositing of layers of | | | | diamonds but without the enormous price tags. |
| quartz crystals and metal oxides such as | | | | |
| titanium, silicon and magnesium on to clear | | | | The best part about handmade Dichroic glass |
| glass. Dichroism is literally an optical | | | | jewellery is that each item is individually |
| effect that is observed in certain materials | | | | crafted and so has its own unique quality and |
| in which two different colours are seen when | | | | character for it is impossible to recreate |
| viewed from different directions. In Dichroic | | | | the same piece twice. To view a range of |
| glass one colour is seen when light reflects | | | | Dichroic Glass Jewellery click here. |
| off the crystalline surface and with a change | | | | |