What is Dichroic Glass?

Dichroic glass has become very popular over the last couple of years. As I have visited stores here and there, these unusual and sometimes mesmerizing pieces of  art can be found in necklaces, pendants, earrings, rings and even wall hangings. Choosing a favorite, as I like to do when seeing a displayed array of items, can be tricky. No two are alike though may be similar. I think the pieces that fascinate me the most are the dramatic color changers. No wonder dichroic glass is also referred to as "chameleon glass."

Where did it come from?

Modern dichroic glass is available as a result of a materials research carried out by NASA and its contractors, who developed it for use in dichroic filters. However, it can also be traced back to the 4th century AD as seen in the Lycurgus Cup, which resides in a museum in London.  The picture on the left depicts the cup in normal light. The picture on the right depicts the cup photographed with a flash, showing it's green color though no light is coming through it. It is the only complete Roman glass object made from this type of glass, and the one exhibiting the most impressive change in color.

The main characteristic of dichroic glass in that it has a particular transmitted color and a completely different reflected color, as certain wavelengths of light either pass through or are reflected. This causes an array of color to be displayed, and the colors shift depending on the angle of view. Dichroic glass is an example of thin-film optics.

How is it made? 
Multiple ultra thin layers of different metals, such as gold or silver and the oxides of such metals - titanium, chromium, aluminium, zirconium, magnesium, or silica - are vaporised by an electron beam in a vacuum chamber. The vapor then condenses on the surface of the glass in the form of a crystal structure. A protective layer of quartz is sometimes added. The finished glass can have as many as 30 to 50 layers of these materials, yet the total thickness can be 30 to 35 millionths of an inch. The coating that is created is similar to gemstones and, by careful control of thickness, different colors may be obtained. A plate of dichroic glass can be fused with other glass in multiple firings. Due to variations in the firing process, results can not be exactly predicted, so each piece of glass is unique.

Making these amazing pieces is certainly not a "Do-It-Yourself" project.  Limited supply is due to the requirement for very high-tech equipment and skilled artisans.


Dichroic glass adds flash, pizazz, sparkle and intrigue. It is  recommended to wear one piece of dichroic jewelry at a time to attract attention, comments or perhaps conversation, as several pieces tend to overwhelm and take away the mystery and uniqueness in each piece.

Cliptomania.com offers non-pierced earrings that are made of dichroic glass. Cliptomania's owner, Candy Santo, noted she had a hard time catching a good photo as the shine and color changing kept blurring its outcome. See these and other beautiful earrings at www.cliptomania.com.

Meet The Designer: Michal Golan

This will be the first in a series of blogs introducing you to jewelry designer's that are proudly featured at https://www.cliptomania.com/. With the over 500+ non-pierced earrings that we offer, a great number are designer, special, one-of-a-kind creations. Most of the designer's merchandise we carry can be found in the Tomorrow's Heirlooms section of our website; however, depending on the style and color, you may see them also sprinkled in other sections. We hope that you will take a minute to enjoy this as we spotlight the individuals behind the beauty we love to wear. 
 

MICHAL GOLAN

An Israeli born jewelry designer, printer and ceramist is the force behind the company that bears her name. Michal Golan draws from a range of influences to create designs that are recognized for their ornate and intensely colored arrangements of gemstones and crystals. She has a meticulous attention to detail which highlights her mosaic-inspired heritage and familiarity with Middle Eastern art.

Michal moved to the United States in 1976. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BA in graphic art. She also holds a master's degree in studio art from New York University.

Michal's company was launched in 1982, first from an apartment then moving into a design studio and production facility in New York City. The companymaintains over 1,500 accounts in the U.S. as well as Germany, Australia, Korea and Japan, with her jewelry and art available in up-scale gift shops, galleries and museums worldwide.



New Beaded Non-Pierced Earrings

Bohemian, Czech, Mayan, Katherine Kornblau, Nancy Neill, marble, art glass, lampwork, hand crafted, gemstones, dangle, drop….just a few words to describe some of the new beaded non-pierced earring selections at www.cliptomania.com.

There are so many beautiful choices, some with genuine Swarvoski crystals, and gorgeous Mayan crochet & bead by Vida Dulce Imports.  Very reasonable prices when compared with other clip on earring stores.  You will be glad you shopped with us!

Go to: Classics: Drops & Dangles and Fancy:Specialy: Handmade Mayan

Big & Bold Clip Earrings are the Hottest New Trend

Cliptomania.com has an extensive selection of Big & Bold Non-Pierced earrings that are face-flattering and so attractive they will be noticed!  Clip on earrings are also the newest trend when talking about big and bold styles because they do not damage the earlobes nor compromise the desired look.  Big and bold earrings have a tendency not only to be longer, but heavier, and combined with post or wire hooks, can pull, stretch, and possibly tear the earlobe.  Cliptomania.com offers big and bold styles with padded paddle back or screwback clips, and provides instructions detailing techniques to make wearing non-pierced earrings comfortable.  With clip on earrings from “slightly bold” to “can’t be ignored” let cliptomania.com be your first source.  Cliptomania.com also offers other styles including vintage, contemporary, petite and nickel free.  See us at www.cliptomania.com, or visit http://www.earringinformation.com/.

Cliptomania Feature: Chipita NP Earrings

https://www.cliptomania.com/ has over 24 pairs of Chipita hand-sewn, hand-beaded non-pierced clip on earrings in stock! Many of them are the vintage styles, in buttons and dangles, that are no longer being made in favor of leaner styles like those in the Chipita 21st Century category. 

Vintage Chipita

Excerpt from Meet The Designers:

In the fashion world, “Chipita Accessories” has become synonymous with long, sparkly earrings made of semiprecious stones, cut crystal, silver, gold, brass, glass and ceramic beads.  While her current creations are styled to complement contemporary fashion, this largely self-taught artist began her career by designing jewelry with Southwestern and Native American motifs.  Still, as the company’s main designer, Joan says the semi-precious stones dictate the jewelry’s final form, whether art deco, African, Eastern ethnic or Victorian. 

21st Century Chipita Clip on Earrings

Click this link to see Chipita Clip On Earrings