When making Dichroic glass jewellery, dichroic glass fragments and/or multiple layers of dichroic and art glass are assembled together prior to firing. During the fusing process, transformations occur… As the glass heats/cools, the glass and coating expand/contract at different rates, causing the coating to separate from the glass as it heats and create new surface patterns as it cools. As each layer is added, the heating/cooling process is repeated. After the first firing, which takes several hours, each piece is ground to a smooth shape and then fired at least one more time. Some pieces may be fired many times, with dichroic glass fragments added before each firing. The light play between the different layers adds to the depth of the colors seen.

Due to variations in the firing process, individual results can never be exactly reproduced ; each piece of fused dichroic glass is unique. Some pieces may be fired many times, with dichroic glass fragments added before each firing. The light play between the different layers adds to the depth of the colors seen. The color of the base material that the layers are built upon (often black or red) also plays into what colors the end piece displays. Finished cabochons show both the artist’s range of knowledge of their media and their individual style.

Dichroic glass cabs are simply wonderful. Whether for yourself or as a gift, it is hard to beat a piece of dichroic glass jewellery.