Kaleidoscopes materials guide

A materials guide helps you make selections for your collection

Whether you are an avid collector or simply looking for ones that fit within your budget, a kaleidoscopes materials guide can help you decide which ones are right for you.

Some of the common materials used
Although bottles, eggs, and even clarinets have been used to construct the exterior of kaleidoscopes, most are made of wood, glass, or brass.

Wood kaleidoscopes: From maple to oak, there is a large and attractive selection of wood kaleidoscopes. Collectors enjoy how the different types of woods used create a variety of distinct looks and options. Perhaps the most popular wood kaleidoscopes are ones done by Parman Brothers or David Collier. In addition to being appealing, they also are very affordable. Generally, the price is between $35 and $150.

Glass kaleidoscopes: This is probably the most versatile type of kaleidoscopes available. In this particular medium, kaleidoscope artists use glass to create one-of-a-kind pieces of art using a variety of colors and textures. Kaleidoscopes created by Bob Rioux and Marc Tickle are examples of the exquisite beauty that is possible. If you are interested in glass kaleidoscopes, anticipate spending at least $200, but possibly as much as $800.

Brass kaleidoscopes: Perhaps it's the classic look of brass kaleidoscopes that make them so popular among professional and amateur collectors. It also could be their affordability. Much like wood kaleidoscopes, the cost of brass ones generally starts around $50. However, there are some by artists like Janice Chesnik that cost significantly more.

A note on materials for the scope's interior
Although there are many different mirror configurations, all kaleidoscopes need mirror or glass to create these configurations, which dictate the display of colors and objects for the viewer.Here are some popular ones you might come across the following.

Basically, the only difference among these types of glass is the effect they help create for the viewer.