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Calgary artist Katy Pattison has always been fascinated with glass and has been working with it for over 20 years. Her desire to learn more about glass led Katy to the ever-changing world of glass fusing. Katy joined forces with Valerie McGill in May 1997 and formed Opalescence. Their jewelry can be found in gift stores across Canada and parts of the United States. A kiln and dichroic glass are used to make the jewelry. Dichroic glass is glass that has two colours, transmitted and reflected. This glass coating process was originally developed for the space industry for use in microchips. It is achieved by applying multiple, micro-thin layers of different metals (titanium, chromium, aluminum, zirconium, magnesium, or silicon) to the surface of glass. Certain wavelengths of light are allowed to pass through or be reflected causing the array of colours you see. Once fused, the jewelry is ground to shape, fire polished, and finally wrapped with sterling wire or set in a beautiful sterling setting. The results are stunning and always different. Due to the nature of fusing you will never find two pieces that are exactly alike. Choices are endless.

 

Address: 331 Silver Brook Way N.W.Calgary, Alberta, T3B 3G9
Telephone: (403) 288-6143
Fax: (403) 286-8349
Website: http://www.opalescencejewelry.com/