How Image 3 Crystal is Created

Image 3 Crystal is made of solid optical crystal.   This solid crystal then has true three dimensional images placed inside using a YAG laser.   The laser fires thousands of bursts of energy into the glass to create the artwork inside.   As you turn the Image 3 Crystal pieces you can view the image from all directions.   Our artists create 3D models of the design to be made.   These models are used by a computer to tell the laser where to enter the glass and place the image inside.   The resulting polished opticaly perfect crystal pieces are at truely unique art form.

The design process for an Image 3 crystal piece can take up to several weeks.  First, Design ideas are researched by the artist, who gathers source photos and models.  Pencil concept drawings are then created to show what the design will look like when done.  The artists concept drawings are reviewed and changes suggested.  Many designs never reach the creation stage.  Once we have a concept everyone is happy with, we start the CAD (Computer Assisted Drafting) creation process.  The designer uses CAD software to create a true 3 dimensional image.  Each "dot" or point at which the laser will fire must be placed by hand.  Designs can vary quite a bit in the time required to create them.  Most take about 1 to 2 weeks to make the first version.  That version is then run and refinements are made to create the final version.  The artist may run 2 or 3 versions before they are satisfied with the quality of the design. 


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We use only optically perfect crystal.  We need this high quality of crystal to allow the laser beam, which will create the image, to focus inside the solid crystal.  Designs may contain 10,000 to 100,000 points, each one placed by the designer and fired into the crystal by our laser system.  As you can see in the animation to the left, our Wall Street design was created dot by dot.  The dot is placed by the laser beam focused at a point within the solid block of crystal.  This larger piece will take 2 hours for the laser beam to place all 71,878 points in the design.  This is a patented process (US Patent No.  5,206,496) which Image 3 Crystal has the legal rights to produce in the United States. 


After the piece is finished we clean them and inspect them for quality.  Most pieces are gift boxed and can be packed with lighted bases, marble bases, or other accessories.  Our lasers operate 24 hours a day to assure quick turn around times on orders.