Dichroic

Dichroic glass, popularly known as fused glass is used in making jewelleries. The idea originated from fusing the two forms of dichoric glasses available naturally.

The intense heat resulting from lightening struck sand sometimes causes the sand to melt and form long slender dichroic glass tubes called fulgurites or petrified lightening. The tremendous heat resulting from volcanic eruptions also results in the fusing of rocks and sand, giving rise to fused glass earring called obsidian. Manmade dichroic glass began in Mesopotamia. The high costs coupled with poor knowledge on techniques of making dichroic glass resulted in it being expensive and its worth came to be equated with jewels. The invention of the glass blow pipe in 300 BC greatly simplified the glassmaking process. Dichroic glass assumed huge importance in roman ruled states and later developed at Venice. The Venetian glass blowers are credited with creating the most beautiful and graceful dichroic glass. In the 1100s and 1200s the technique of making dichroic glass jewellery was at its highest point. Dichroic jewellery came to be produced in many countries. Dichroic jewellery after being fired into the kiln attains similar durability as that of standard glasses. Dichroic metal oxides are used to add different colours. By varying the different conditions in the manufacturing process different shapes, sizes and colours of dichroic jewellery is obtained, which is later fashioned into earrings, necklaces etc.

Dichroic jewellery is cheaper than precious stones but does not lack in appearance which adds to its popularity.