Dichroic Glass

Another early project using scrap was the construction of a picture frame.  We were fortunate to have access to a variety of small pieces of scrap from a sample catalog.  I decided to include a few dichroic samples in my frame.

Modern-day dichroic glass displays two, three, four or more non-translucent colors.  Dichroic is a composite stacking of layers of glass and micro-layers of metals or oxides (such as titanium, chromium, aluminum, zirconium, magnesium, and/or silica,)   creating the impression of shifting colors depending on the viewing angle.  The effect is actually an example of thin-film optics.  Sometimes a protective layer of quartz is added to the surface of dichroic glass.  The coating can create an effect similar to a gemstone, particularly in the way light waves reflect off the surface. 

Dichroic glass is usually used with fused or stained glass to add decoration or elaboration.  Modern dicro is available "....as a result of materials researched by NASA (and its contractors,) who were creating filters for use in space travel." 

Frame edge #1 - Two dichroic examples, frit, orange stringer, on 2mm plate glass - COE 90

In the 4th century, a small amount of Roman glass has been found that has dichroic characteristics, as well.  This translucent glass contains colloidal gold and silver particles which affects the way the glass disperses light rays.  One full vessel housed in the British Museum, appears green when lit from the front in reflected light, and purple when lit from inside or behind where the light passes through the same glass.....the light is dispersed differently.

When forming glass, the Romans had the skill and capacity to suspend both silver and gold in the molten glass prior to casting, blowing, or forming glass forms.  Did this have something to do with money and power or aesthetic properties?  If history is accurate, the Romans appreciated the creation, display, ownership, cultural incorporation, etc. of art substantially more that most current cultures.  Money and power, both then and now, are powerful forces, however.

Frame edge #2 - Dichroic pieces, frit, yellow stringer, confetti and previously fired button on 2mm plate glass - COE 90

The sides of this frame include many components of glass, including sheet glass in many colors, confetti, stringers, frit, and buttons in addition to the pieces of dichro. 

Frame edge #3 - Small dichroic, confetti, frit, stringers, and button combined with COE 90 2mm glass.

At the time, I had no idea what a wide range of elements we had at our fingertips - OR - how much money some of these "elements" would later cost if I wanted to use bigger pieces of them. 

Frame edge #4 - Dichroic, stringer, frit, and COE 90 2mm glass.

For example, a woman came to the glass studio a couple of weeks ago and wanted to fire a large, flat piece of dichro glass.  It was about 21 inches in diameter and had a multicolor herringbone pattern.  Between the cost of the glass, the clear glass to cap it, and the firing, she had more than $400 in this single piece......whether it fired successfully.......................or not!