1) What is Dichroic Glass?

Dichroic Glass in essence is glass that has a thin metallic coating applied to it. More specifically, in a heated vacuum chamber, aluminum, chromium, silicon, titanium and zirconium are vaporized onto the glass in varying layers, depending on the colors that are desired.

2) What does the term "Lampworked" mean?

Prior to the use of modern day torches to make beads, wax or oil lamps were used to heat small quantities of glass. In addition, a metal tube or blowpipe was inserted into the flame where air could be pushed though to produce a small sharp flame hot enough to melt the glass. The stream of air was supplied from the worker’s mouth or from foot-powered bellows that they operated.

Although beads and other glass objects are now made with torches, it is still customary to call the beads "lampworked beads".

3) Is the glass fragile?

In general, the glass is fairly sturdy due to the thickness and the heating processes done during beadmaking. For example, if you drop a small necklace or earrings on a rug they usually will not break. However, if you drop them on concrete they may break or just get chipped.