These exclusive beads are the ideal focal point for a stylish jewellery piece!

 

	DICHROIC BEADS
	Atlantis Shell Large		Boomerang		Conshel Large		Curly
	Double Dare		Leaf		Minishel		Nobilis Shell 3.5cm
	Seahorse		Sheila		Spacial Small		Spacial Large
	Spearhead		Twirl
	INDIAN GLASS BEADS
	Indian Beads
	METAL BEADS

 

 

These beads are individually handcrafted in the USA by a network of highly skilled glass-blowers. They are fashioned in a torch flame by a process called 'lamp-working'. Unlike most beads, which are made from ordinary
or 'soft' glass, these are created from 'hard' borosilicate glass. Only the finest imported glass from Europe or the United States is used. Many of the coloured glass is custom mixed. Borosilicate glass is worked at a much higher temperature than ordinary glass and then kiln annealed at over 1000 degrees which makes for a stronger more durable product. The higher the temperatures are also responsible for rich natural colours.

 

Originally created for the Aerospace industry, dichroic chips are incorporated in many of the beads. The brilliant optical properties of dichroic glass are the result of multiple micro layers of metal oxides. These thin layers of oxides have a total thickness of three to five millionth of an inch. NASA developed dichroic glass for use in face shields in space suits. Multiple ultra thin layers of different metals (gold, silver, titanium, chromium, aluminium, zirconium, magnesium, silicon) are applied to the surface of the glass. The glass is then kiln fired at extreme temperatures in a vacuum.

 

The resulting plate of dichroic glass can then be fused with other glass in multiple firings. Certain wavelengths of light will either pass through or be reflected causing an array of colour to be visible. Due to variations in the firing process, individual results can never be exactly reproduced; each piece of fused dichroic glass is unique and no two pieces are ever the same.

 

If making a large piece or set of jewellery, we suggest that you buy all matching colour beads at the same time.
The main characteristics of Dichroic Glass is that it has transmitted colour and a completely different reflective colour. Furthermore, these two colours shift depending on angle view. With the play of light together with its vibrant colour, dichroic glass is a prime tool used to add interest to any piece of work or project.