What is Dichroic Glass?
Dichroic glass is a vibrant, colorful and highly reflective material. Originally created for use in the aerospace industry, it is now available to the art community. Despite the fact it is expensive to produce and purchase, glass artists use it because nothing equals its dynamic beauty.
Dichroic glass is manufactured by placing a piece of thin black or clear glass in an airless chamber. Quartz crystals and metal oxides are then vaporized in the chamber using an electron beam. The vapor floats upward where it attaches and condenses on the surface of the glass. The crystalized coating that forms takes on a character similar to that of gemstones.
Dichroic glass is highly reflective. When struck by light it reflects and transmits different colors. What color one sees at any moment is dependent on the angle at which the glass is viewed. It is this interplay of vibrant color that adds interest and depth to Terrie Voigt Studio buttons.
Do you use materials other than dichroic glass in your buttons?
Yes, absolutely. Dichroic glass is very important in our designs but it is only one aspect of what makes Terrie Voigt buttons unique. We also use powdered mica, powdered glass, copper, gold and silver foils, patterned, iridescent, textured, rippled and radium glasses. When these items, with or without dichroic glass, are fused between layers of clear or colored glass in highlty creative designs, the result is something very special.
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