Dichroic Glass

glass family

Dichroic Glass jewelry

Etymology and history

Dichroic glass was probably first made in the late 1800s in Germany by Arthur Pfeiffer. However, it was not until NASA developed the modern process for making it in the 1960s (found its unique properties beneficial as filters on the windows of the various space vehicles) that it became inexpensive enough that it could be employed in glassblowing though inexpensive is a relative term - dichroic glass is still quite pricey, due primarily to the way in which it comes into being.

Dichroic Glass description

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. Dichroic glass is now available to artists through dichroic coating manufacturers. Glass artists often refer to dichroic glass as "dichro’’.

Dichroic Glass in jewelry

A well-crafted dichroic piece can display many brilliant colors that change with the angle of view. That’s why many jewels use dichroic glass as a stone in pieces of jewelry. Dichroic glass looks beautiful in whole jewelry collection.

Occurrence

Dichroic glass was probably first made in the late 1800s in Germany by Arthur Pfeiffer.