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A Brief Overview of the
World of Art Glass
Glass or Crystal?
Originally, glass derives from the Latin word "vitrum," while crystal has its origin from the ancient Greek language "krystallos." However, the essence of their divergence lies in their chemical composition. Crystal, with its stable and ordered internal structure, is a crystalline solid, whereas glass, with its chaotic structural arrangement imitating liquids, is classified as a non-crystalline solid.
Clearing this up, and although the classification is extensive, we will delve into a general classification:
Transparent, Translucent, and Textured
Transparent glass is the one through which you can see clearly, such as float glass that major manufacturers offer in colorless version or transparent bases. On the other hand, translucent glass includes textured and coloured varieties. Textured glasses, such as Granite, Hammered, or Florentine, have a rough surface that diffuses light, while translucent colored glasses, like "Wispy," contain mix of colors in their composition, slightly reducing the quantity of transmitted light and creating unique visual effects.
Coloured Glass
This kind of glass, often referred to as stained glass, gets its name from its traditional use in stained glass windows of churches and cathedrals. When light passes through it, the coloured glass not only reveals its vibrant hue but also creates fascinating lighting and visual effects, transforming spaces with its unique brightness and nuances.
Opalescent Glass and Opaque Glass
Opalescent glass has an opaline base that gives it a solid and uniform colouring. Although it does not allow details to be seen through it, its ability to infuse a particular brightness when illuminated makes it very attractive. This glass can combine two or more colours and is used both to highlight specific tints and to introduce subtle colour variations.
On the other hand, opaque glass is a type of opal glass with saturated colour that completely blocks the passage of light. Its opacity makes it an excellent choice for creating mosaics or defining neutral spaces in designs, offering a distinctive and functional contrast.
How to Select Art Glass
In each type of art glass, you will find various options in terms of saturation, texture, thickness and other factors. The range of available glass is extensive, and the right choice will mainly depend on the desired design, the effect you want to create and the final location of the work. We invite you to explore our online store to view all the options and find the perfect glass for your project.