If you’ve ever caught a glimmer of shifting color in one of my jewelry pieces and found yourself wondering, what is that?—you were probably looking at dichroic glass. It’s one of my favorite materials to work with, and while it’s definitely eye-catching, I love using it in small doses that deliver big sparkle.
What Is Dichroic Glass, Anyway?
Dichroic (pronounced dye-crow-ick) glass is a specialty glass that’s been coated with microscopic layers of metallic oxides. These coatings are applied in a vacuum chamber and reflect light in beautiful, shifting colors depending on the angle and lighting. Though it’s now made with high-tech equipment and even used in space exploration, this glass has surprisingly ancient roots.
One of the earliest known examples is the Lycurgus Cup, made in the Roman Empire around the 4th century. This goblet appears green in daylight but glows red when lit from within—a stunning result of tiny amounts of gold and silver embedded in the glass. The craftsmen behind it couldn’t have known their technique would one day influence modern science and art, but they were definitely onto something magical.
The Dichroic Glass I Use
Today, dichroic glass comes in lots of styles. The metallic coatings are applied to different types of glass:
-
Clear, which lets you create layered effects
-
Black, which gives bold, high-contrast sparkle
-
Textured or smooth surfaces, which not only affect the finish but also create unique effects when capped with clear glass—something I almost always do. The texture can scatter light in unexpected ways, adding even more dimension and visual interest to the final piece.
This variety gives me endless creative freedom.
How I Use It in My Jewelry
While I love the shimmer of dichroic glass, I prefer to use it in small finished pieces—not just as a hint, but as the whole feature. You’ll see it in my stud earrings, minimalist rings, dainty pendants, and small dangle earrings. I don’t go for large statement pieces with dichroic glass—I think it’s most powerful when it’s part of a small, wearable treasure.
My Process: From Scrap to Shine
I usually begin with large sheets of scrap dichroic glass. I hand-select and layer them together with intention: combining textures, transparents, opaques, and pops of bold color. I always cap the layers with clear glass to give the finished piece that dimensional, "something's trapped inside" look.
After firing those layers together into a single slab, the coldworking begins.
I cut the slab on my tile saw into smaller pieces, lap grind to shape and refine the surfaces, and sometimes core drill to create circles for rings or studs. These steps let me refine the glass and prep it for its final form. Then I fire the pieces again, this time to polish them in the kiln, leaving them smooth, glossy, and ready to shine.
No matter how carefully I layer things, the heat always causes a bit of alchemy—colors shift, blend, and reveal surprises I didn’t fully expect. That’s one of the reasons I keep coming back to dichroic glass. It always brings something new to the table (or the kiln shelf).
Why I Keep Coming Back to It
Dichroic glass is one of those materials that’s just endlessly fun to work with. It’s vibrant, mysterious, and full of personality—and no two pieces ever turn out exactly the same. There’s always a little surprise in the kiln.
So if you ever wear one of my pieces and someone asks what gives it that gorgeous glow—you’ll know. It’s a mix of ancient roots, modern science, and a little studio magic.