We have been making Dichroic Glass Jewellery at Exmoor Glass since 2003. We aim to make each of our pieces individual. Given our production process and the material properties, it is very difficult to create the same thing twice. We use both stained and dichroic glass of many different types and from many different sources . Some pieces are cut and assembled, individually by hand, and other pieces are built in moulds, depending on the effect desired. All are fired in a kiln that we purpose built. Firing usually takes 2 to 3 hours, but reaches temperatures between 800 and 1000 degrees. The kiln needs at least a day to cool down properly. When its time to see how the pieces have fired, it is like Christmas morning – you have an idea, but you never know exactly what you will get. One firing alone has been known to induce feelings of both triumph and disappointment, and occasionally total bewilderment (what on earth was that?). When the pieces are cooled, we take them from the kin, clean them, subject them to a critical eye and then sort and grade them. Many pieces need multiple firings before they are finished.

Glass mould before firing.

There are 4 of us who make Illuminati Fusion and we all have distinctly different styles. Everyone brings a different approach to design and execution and the slew of new ideas keep us all developing. Other new directions in design develop as a direct result of feedback and requests that we have had from our customers. We gratefully welcome any suggestions, comments, design ideas or feedback which gives us the chance to experiment. The possibilities are endless.

Each piece of Illuminati Fusion Jewellery is despatched boxed.

Findings and Chains

When we are happy with the finished cabochon,we use a mixture of sterling silver and silver plated findings and chains to finish our pieces. Often larger more intricate pieces combine plated and sterling parts. All the plated silver we use is assured hypo allergenic by our suppliers and in house ‘road testing’ has proven its credentials.

Care and Cleaning of your Jewelery

All silver and plated silver jewellery parts should be cleaned with silver polish and a soft cloth. This will bring them up in a gleaming shine. Our pieces are as hard wearing as we can make them, but please be aware that glass is glass and will chip or break if it is treated brutally or carelessly. If you need to, clean glass stones with water, mild detergent and soft cloth – dichroic colours will not wash off or fade or degrade.

Cranberry is a truly English name and a truly English colour. In 1845 a glass tax was lifted from the British Glassmakers of the time and an explosion of new ideas followed in the industry. Coloured glass came mainly from Bristol and the powerful pigment used in the creation of Cranberry is gold. Later the American Glass manufacturers adoptedCranberry is a truly English name and a truly English colour. In 1845 a glass tax was lifted from the British Glassmakers of the time and an explosion of new ideas followed in the industry. Coloured glass came mainly from Bristol and the powerful pigment used in the creation of Cranberry is gold. Later the American Glass manufacturers adoptedCranberry and it became the most popular and fashionable colour available adorning the most elegant houses. Victorian cranberry glass pieces are now highly collectable antiques.

Cranberry Glass is currently the most popular style of glass we make at Exmoor, but we regularly take on commissions for bespoke pieces – the more interesting the better. In the past we have recreated period glassware for the TV and film industry and our work has been featured in Harry Potter, Ever After and Moll Flanders. We regularly create glassware to fit antique liners and make a variety of other items which are sold directly in our Gallery. Whether your preference is for traditional or contemporary, we invite you to share with us the beauty of free-blown, hand-made glass.

All our items are free hand made. This means that all given heights are guides, but we do endeavour to make all orders as close to specifications as possible.  Please let us know if the item you are ordering is to be matched to an item that you already have. If in any doubt, please telephone us on 01643 863141.