Didymium is the classic filter that has been used for many years in all types of hot glass applications. While it was the first material to offer filtering of the sodium flare, it did not offer any infared protection. Newer materials now offer better protection, and as such, we do not carry any glasses with Didymium lenses. However, you may still hear people refering to their glasses as being Didymium's, even if they have newer lens materials.
Schott Glass Technologies developed a contrast enhancement glass for spectacle lenses called ACE (short for Amethyst Contrast Enhancer). This glass utilizes rare earth oxides in the glass composition to achieve the unique color enhancing characteristics. Sold under several brand names (such as AV 2000 and Phillips 202), ACE is the name Schott calls this popular lampworking filter lens material.
ACE is very efficient in filtering ultraviolet (to 390 nm), near infrared, and the sodium flare. The sodium flare is the bright yellow light that hot glass produces while in the flame. ACE also color enhances red, blue and green, making it easier to see a glass' true color and judge its temperature while you work.
The Light Green lenses provide protection in the ultraviolet and infared ranges, and that bit of darkness needed when looking at warm or hot glass. These are good for kiln work (casting, slumping and fusing) and furnace working. These do *not* provide any filtering for the sodium flair.
* NOTE * Phillips is no longer making glasses with the Green ACE lenses. Instead, Phillips is now using their BoroView Polycarbonate lense material (see below). We *may* have some old inventory that have the Green ACE lenses, subject to stock on hand.
Phillips Boroscopes, also known as Green ACE, are designed to give the extra protection needed when working with borosilicate glass. Borosilicate is generally worked at hotter temperatures, resulting in more light radiation. Green ACE gives extra protection in the ultraviolet and infared ranges, and the extra darkness protects from the bright glow that this very hot glass gives off, all while eliminating the sodium flare.
Green ACE is available in several 'darknesses'. Green ACE #2 lenses are only a little darker that regular ACE, and therefore are an excellent upgrade in protection when working soft glass, without becoming too dark. Green ACE #3 and #5 are considerably darker than regular ACE. The #3 shade is a good choice for most borosilicate lampworking when working on small to moderate size pieces. The darker #5 shade is suggested for working very large or very hot pieces.
Phillips BoroView 3 & 5 lenses are designed to meet the need for the extra UV and IR protection needed when working on borosilicate glass. These lenses offer a revolutionary formulation designed to exactly meet the needs of those working with the harder, higher temperature of borosilicate glass. Phillips BoroView are specially formulated Polycarbonate filter lenses that Phillips Safety Products designed for the lampworking and glassblowing markets. This revolutionary product is greatly lighter than conventional laminated and glass products, and comes in a full coverage lens which is a higher quality design because there are no areas without shading.
If you are working with smaller pieces, the BoroView 3 is for you. For larger pieces, you will need the BoroView 5. BoroView's should be worn when working on hard glass types where regular Phillips202/ACE or Polycarbonate Sodium Flare (SFP) Lenses are not adequate due to the fact of insufficient filtration of ultra violet and infra-red absorption.
These are the same as our Phillips 202, but they use a plastic lens instead of the traditional glass. This makes them lighter and more affordable.
ACE and Green ACE lenses are also available within the same frames.