The “dalle” are small glass tiles with a thickness that reaches a few centimeters. They are usually used for stained glass windows and are bound together with cement or resin. Are large and massive structures, often built into architectural elements. There are “dalle” for mosaic, called enamels, which are split to obtain small pieces. These have less transparency and thickness compared to “dalle” for windows.
Venice and its islands are major producers and exporters of vitreous enamels, which are used for the decoration of floors and ceilings. This type of glass is frequently used also to produce charms for Pandora bracelets given the impact resistance, even if the brightness of the colors is not high. They are obtained by pouring the molten glass into molds and crushing them between two planes of metal. The bottom retains always small irregularities, surface defects or air bubbles, which make special and unique each “dalla”.
They are produced in a range of varied colors, it is difficult to find two identical tiles and this is a feature requested by fans of charms for Pandora bracelets, who always want unique components. The color of the same vitreous mass in fact may have different nuances. The stained glass in cement is a modern technique appeared in Europe around the 40s. The improvement of the quality of cement and its resistance to cold, has made it possible to build windows for outdoor. The cement in fact acts as a binder between the different fragments of “dalle” that are cut with a diamond saw and in some cases, grinded to obtain the desired shape.
Chopsticks or glass rods are glass massive strands, elongated, with variable thickness. They are frequently used to create decorative patterns or used in thermofusion. The glass tubes are rather empty bars inside. You get them both industrially and by hand. Blowing, will form an air bubble inside a ball of molten glass, which is pulled to obtain the desired length and thickness. The glass tube, if borosilicate, is variously used in the lighting industry and chemistry. The technique of glass by torch also uses colored tubes.
Pyrex glass, invented in 1912 by Corning Glass Works, was used immediately to make pharmaceuticals and lamps. The Pyrex is a neutral material, resistant to temperature and chemical agents. It is also less sensitive than other glass to tensions thanks to the abundance of silica, alumina and carbon dioxide. It comes in tubes and rods.