Shards of Glass – Dichroic Glass

Dichroic glass is glass containing multiple micro-layers of metal oxides which give the glass dichroic optical properties. The invention of dichroic glass is often erroneously attributed to NASA and its contractors, who developed it for use in dichroic filters. Dichroic glass dates back to at least the 4th century AD as seen in the Lycurgus cup.

Multiple ultra-thin layers of different metals (gold, silver), metal oxides (titanium, chromium, aluminum, zirconium, magnesium) and silica are vaporized by an electron beam in a vacuum chamber. The vapor then condenses on the surface of the glass in the form of a crystal structure. This is sometimes followed by a protective layer of quartz crystal. The finished glass can have as many as 30 to 50 layers of these materials yet the thickness of the total coating is approximately 30 to 35 millionths of an inch (about 760 to 890 nm). The coating that is created is very similar to a gemstone and, by careful control of thickness, different colors are obtained.

I love working with dichroic glass, just not really good at making any beads or pendants; however I’m in luck! A very good friend and fellow artisan Anna is a premier glass designer here in San Antonio, Texas. She makes some of the most incredible, gorgeous dichroic one-of-kind pieces (I know, I personally have quite a few of her pendant sets!).

From time to time I purchase her pendants and incorporate them into my own creative designs; accenting with wire, metals, crystals, or natural stones; drawing on the colors of the pendant to develop the jewelry.

These latest designs feature dichroic glass dichroic pendant and earrings sets; accenting with tons of crystals, lampwork beads (another fun glass to work with), metals, and cultured freshwater pearls, just to name some.

Browse all our artisan crafted jewelry at our online shop – find your next treasure of wearable art!

*Research from various websites.

Dichroic Glass Pendant Wonders

Dichroic glass is glass containing multiple micro-layers of metal oxides which give the glass dichroic optical properties. The invention of dichroic glass is often erroneously attributed to NASA and its contractors, who developed it for use in dichroic filters. Dichroic glass dates back to at least the 4th century AD as seen in the Lycurgus cup.

Multiple ultra-thin layers of different metals (gold, silver), metal oxides (titanium, chromium, aluminum, zirconium, magnesium) and silica are vaporized by an electron beam in a vacuum chamber. The vapor then condenses on the surface of the glass in the form of a crystal structure. This is sometimes followed by a protective layer of quartz crystal. The finished glass can have as many as 30 to 50 layers of these materials yet the thickness of the total coating is approximately 30 to 35 millionths of an inch (about 760 to 890 nm). The coating that is created is very similar to a gemstone and, by careful control of thickness, different colors are obtained.

I love working with dichroic glass, just not really good at making any beads or pendants; however I’m in luck! A very good friend and fellow artisan Anna is a premier glass designer here in San Antonio, Texas. She makes some of the most incredible, gorgeous dichroic one-of-kind pieces (I know, I personally have quite a few of her pendant sets!). I buy her pendants and incorporate them into my own creative designs; accenting with wire, metals, crystals, or natural stones; drawing on the colors of the pendant to develop the jewelry.

These two designs are using Anna’s pendants as a focal and then using the different wire and charm techniques to showcase the beauty found within each individual pendant.

In the first design, I use a free form shaped pendant that is hung below the crystals from non-tarnish brass wire as a bail. I’ve then accented with individual hand-charmed pieces in black agate, beige freshwater cultured pearl nuggets, creamy white glass pearls, and faceted swarovski crystals in erinite and indicolite. The creation hangs from an eggshell colored silk cord in a stationary position. There are little hints of wire in hanging swirls also handcrafted in non-tarnish brass wire.

The second piece I chose a nice almost arrowhead shaped pendant with accenting designs in gold, green and hint of blue against a black background. Surrounding it again are hand-charmed pieces in faceted swarvoski crystals indicolite, cosmo black, gold/black Diablo, gold, citrine, ab smoky topaz, and metallic green-blue. The all are braided on a 6 strand ribbon cord necklace; I left them a little lose as this fit better to this type of a design, you can twist the crystals around to change the colors slightly. Hidden among the crystals are a few handmade wire spirals in non-tarnish brass wire.

Find these and many other uniquely artisan crafted designs at our online shop!

*Research from various websites.

Dichroic Pendant Pearls Quartz Crystals

Sail into spring with this lovely little number; wear it as a casual accent topping of that adventure or to dress up that spring attire for a day or evening on the town.

Streaming in shades of yellow and brassy gold; set off by a focal pendant of dichroic glass in dramatic shades of gold, greens and blues; pulling the colors of the Caribbean waters in Swarovski crystals of blue, cantaloupe (which changes colors with the refraction of light) and light yellow jonquil. Nestled between teardrops of freshwater cultured pearls in light and dark yellowish gold, butterscotch Quartz nugget gemstones and handcrafted links and toggle in non-tarnish brass wire. Top it all off with a set of dangle hoop earrings in matching pearls and crystals.

Another Timeless Designs uniquely handcrafted jewelry piece!

Dichroic Glass Designs

Master artist in Dichroic glass, Anna from Aesthetic Designs, whom I met several years ago at the “Big One Holiday Show” here in San Antonio. The jewelry pieces are so unique I have bought several for my personal jewelry collection. Her glass designs are truly breath-taking and never the same, as she pushes the limits of glass designs! She offers both individual sets with a simple matching chain in silver or gold and also beaded works of art. Visit her website Aesthetic Designs for a look into her world and browse her collection available for purchase.

So what is dichroic glass exactly? A little insight into fused glass…..Fuse layers of specialty Dichroic glass at high temperatures in a kiln and what do you get. Truly one-of-a-kind glass pieces of jewelry! As defined by Wikipedia, Dichroic glass is glass containing multiple micro-layers of metal oxides which give the glass Dichroic optical properties. A little known fact….It was originally developed by NASA and its contractors for use in satellite optics and spacesuit visors.
The word Dichroic is derived from two Greek roots; ‘di’ for two and ‘chroma’ for color. So Dichroic really means ‘two-colored’. Looking at the layers and layers of glass, it is hard to tell just how many colors are actually created.

The fun aspect with Dichroic glass is that it has different color variations depending on the light refraction; creating some of the most intriguing pieces of jewelry.

This design to the left, I've incorporated several pieces into jewelry designs such as this one with Black Onyx, Swarvoski crystals and brass wire links with matching earrings.

And this one to the right, has a red pendant hung from Black Onyx, peridot, sterling silver and matching black Onyx earrings.

Or these jewels of dichroic glass pendants below paired with sterling silver and Swarvoski crystals.

I have several pendants in my collection that I wear on sterling silver collars, omegas, and black cords. Accented with either matching earrings or a pair of my favorite sterling silver earrings. Add some to your collection for a one-of-a-kind jewelry piece to wear!

Visit our website as we keep adding more in a selection of dichoric designs in necklaces and bracelets.