The New Intimacy

What does dichroic mean?

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Contributor: LinToxic LinToxic
Related to: 
Dichroic spiral review
Sorry that it sounds so newbish... but I hear it on a lot of glass toys and I have no idea what it means.

They sorta just look like they have multiple colors.. but some multi color dildos are not dichroic? *confused*
03/22/2012
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Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
It has a specific meaning in Optics, the study of lenses, filters, light and color.

The official definition, that applies to dichroic glass (not dichroic filters, which is related) is The original meaning of dichroic, from the Greek dikhroos, two-coloured, refers to any optical device which can split a beam of light into two beams with differing wavelengths. Such devices include mirrors and filters, usually treated with optical coatings, which are designed to reflect light over a certain range of wavelengths, and transmit light which is outside that range. (Wiki)

I have no idea if this dildo actually does this with light. It would be cool if it did, but it would make the dildo very expensive. It is a very expensive dildo )$157.99, I think) but I don't know what applications using real dichroic glass in a dildo would be.

I could be wrong, but in this context, I think it just means "two colors of glass."
03/22/2012
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
In that case shouldn't it be "dichromic"?
03/23/2012
Contributor: Lizzy Lizzy
If you buy this dildo at cost, they shoulder throw in a sticker for your forehead that reads "sucker".
03/26/2012
Contributor: wildorchid wildorchid
"Dichroic glass is glass containing multiple micro-layers of metals or oxides which give the glass dichroic optical properties. The main characteristic of dichroic glass is that it has a particular transmitted color and a completely different reflected color, as certain wavelengths of light either pass through or are reflected. This causes an array of color to be displayed. The colors shift depending on the angle of view. Dichroic glass is an example of thin-film optics" which P'Gell told you about.

Taken from Wikipedia Link

This process is extensive and the fact that it contains metals and oxides is part of the reason that these dildos are so expensive. It really is a beautiful effect though. You can see dichroic glass in a lot of glass beads and in person, what might look blue in one light can look gold, red or green in others. So you are right, it is multi coloured in a way, it all depends on how that light hits the dichroic glass stripe on the dildo.

There are better pictures on the Phallix website.

Hope that helps!
03/26/2012
Contributor: Positwist Positwist
Quote:
Originally posted by wildorchid
"Dichroic glass is glass containing multiple micro-layers of metals or oxides which give the glass dichroic optical properties. The main characteristic of dichroic glass is that it has a particular transmitted color and a completely different ... more
Oh wow, these pics are way better.



Looks like the fancy denfition P'Gell and Wildorchid gave might actually apply here.

As someone who knows little about optics and glass, I'd just call this "ooooh!"
03/26/2012
Contributor: TexasBrat TexasBrat
You will also see jewelry made from dichroic glass. It's very pretty when done correctly. My Mom makes dichroic jewelry (earrings, pendants, bracelets), and he makes hers. It's very tedious, and each piece is unique.
03/29/2012
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
It's effing gorgeous is what it is. If I could only acquire one dichroic toy and finish off my collection, I would!
03/29/2012
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
Wow -that it pretty. Be a shame for me to buy one and only put it where the sun don't shine.
03/29/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by ScottA
Wow -that it pretty. Be a shame for me to buy one and only put it where the sun don't shine.
Haha, Scott, I was just thinking that. If I could afford this glass I'd want it in a window where it could reflect and refract to it's heart's delight. I don't do webcam work, not my thing, but if someone did, and could get the right lighting..... WOW!
03/29/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by TexasBrat
You will also see jewelry made from dichroic glass. It's very pretty when done correctly. My Mom makes dichroic jewelry (earrings, pendants, bracelets), and he makes hers. It's very tedious, and each piece is unique.
I bet it's beautiful. A friend and I have seen some at our craft fair (a huge craft fair in our area that is here every spring and every fall) and they are gorgeous.

The woman who makes them makes them into little gems for earrings, bracelets, necklaces etc. just like you described. Does your mom do big craft fairs in the Chicago area in spring and fall?
03/29/2012
Contributor: Kynky Kytty Kynky Kytty
P'Gell and Wildorchid and right and it's definitely more than pretty. I have a few of those and I'll take a few minutes admiring the color whenever I take a toy out.

There is also another reason why Phallix toys are really expansive and it's due to the Polariscope test they use to guarantee the integrity of the glass, by evaluating the distribution of stress inside the material. They don't just sell off all the toys they make.
10/11/2012
Contributor: TheirPet TheirPet
Oooh that's pretty.
10/11/2012