Dichroic glass is something people quickly learn to recognize on sight, even if they don’t always know what it’s called. There is simply nothing like it. Dichroic pendants are unforgettable, like fire opals and peacock feathers on steroids: They flash and dazzle with layers of iridescent colors. No picture can fully capture the depth and beauty of Dichroic glass.

But how is this ethereal effect achieved? Dichroic glass is created through a process that occurs in a vacuum, when oxidized metals or quartz crystals are heated and applied to a layer of glass. Multiple layers create the beautiful glass that resembles a space-age gemstone. Actually, “space-age” isn’t far off the mark at all. The technology used to create this beautiful glass came from the space industry.

The word Dichroic comes from two Greek words, “di” (two) and “chroma” (color). So literally, Dichroic means “two colors”—and you can definitely see the effect when you turn the glass in different lights. The light that passes through glass reveals one color, while the light that reflects back is a different color.

Dichroic jewelry isn’t always easy to find. Your best bet is to either look online at places such as Etsy or eBay, where glass artists often sell their Dichroic products. You can also find Dichroic pendants in many bead stores or arts & crafts shows.

Each Dichroic bead and pendant is a work of art, truly unique and never exactly duplicated. If you want to wear something color and flashy that will turn heads, Dichroic jewelry is it.

Labels: beads, Dichroic Glass, jewelry, pendants

Charm bracelets are very feminine, whimsical, and personal. They jingle and jangle, they draw attention, and they tell a story.

Originally, charms were worn for very different reasons than they are today. People wore them to honor their gods or else protect themselves from harm. Sometimes charms were more or less passports to the afterlife.

It was Queen Victoria who started wearing charms for the pleasure of it, and everyone began following suit. Men who came back from World War II often brought back little charms for their wives or sweethearts. The popularity of charm bracelets has fluctuated since then, but in the last decade or so they have made a resurgence.

What makes charm bracelets special is how personal they are. You can add charms to your bracelet that have great meaning to you. A charm can represent your favorite object, pastime, or pet. It can symbolize a special event in your life, such as a graduation, a wedding, or the birth of your child. Charm bracelets can be completely dedicated to your travels, with charms representing each place you visited. Charms can also recall the special people in your life.

Charm bracelets spark curiosity and get people talking. They attract attention, and people naturally start asking questions or try to get a closer look at your wrist. It's a great way to break the ice and get conversations started. These bracelets can also become treasured heirlooms passed on from mother to daughter.

For a truly unique piece of jewelry that grows with you and tells the story of your life, a charm bracelet is the perfect choice.

Labels: charm bracelets, jewelry