How to Buy Dichroic Glass for Fused Jewellery
By: John Garcia | Date Posted: October 27, 2021
Table of Contents
Dichroic Glass, a staple in fused jewelry, offers a wide range of colors and is easy to apply to gemstones. This versatile material is gaining popularity in jewelry making due to its unique translucent and reflective qualities. Research is key when purchasing dichroic glass, considering factors like company reputation, pricing, quality, and delivery time. This article provides insights into buying dichroic glass for your jewelry projects, covering where to find it and which types to consider.
What is dichroic glass?
Dichroic glass is a type of toughened glass in which the reflection and transmission can be controlled independently. It is used in photography, optics, and optics manufacturing because it reflects light with high efficiency and has excellent mechanical properties.
Dichroic Glass Colors
Dichroic glass colors are known for their luminous properties and for being highly reflective. When lit from a different angle, a dichroic color will change in hue or shade. There are also many types of dichroic glass including opal, selenite, Verre et céramique. Dichroic glass colors are made by stacking sheets of clear glass with different refractive indexes on top of one another. The light is split into different colors depending on the way it moves through the sheets, and each color appears in a specific location after passing through the stack.
Finishing With Dichroic Glass
Dichroic glass is commonly used in creating fused jewelry designs. It is applied onto metal or ceramic beads and heated in a kiln, resulting in vibrant effects like rainbow or violet hues based on the glass type. Finishing touches include torch-flaming the edges, dipping in hot liquid metal like Argentium silver, and removing any residual wax.
How to Buy Dichroic Glass
It selectively absorbs specific wavelengths, creating vibrant patterns. The process involves melting and mixing colored materials, resulting in a range of colors like orange, green, blue, red, and more.
Why buy dichroic glass for fused jewelry?
It lends a mirror-like surface and enhances the appearance of fused jewelry, making it appear vivid and multi-colored.
Tips for Buying Dichroic Glass
Purchase dichroic glass from reputable online retailers that offer a range of size options suitable for your needs. If needed, they may also provide cutting services. Buying from reputable vendors online is often more cost-effective than in-person purchases.
Where to buy glass with the highest purity
For top-notch fused jewelry, opt for known for its quality and purity. The best dichroic glass, such as that made by Schott, contains ingredients like lead oxide, boric oxide, and others. Higher purity levels in dichroic glass offer superior color-blocking capabilities and allow for the creation of various colors by combining transparent and opaque varieties.
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