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