Finding eyeglasses with the qualities that
are most important to you is as simple as choosing a frame
material: each one comes with its own unique set of strengths
that makes it distinct.
Plastic
If you want the colors of the rainbow, then
zyl (zylonite, or cellulose acetate) is your material.
Zyl is a very cost-effective and creative option for eyewear
and is extremely lightweight. Particularly popular right now
are laminated zyl frames that have layered colors.
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Layered
or mottled colorings add interest to simple
zyl shapes by Kenneth Cole.
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Some manufacturers
are also using propionate — a nylon-based plastic
that is hypoallergenic. It's lightweight and has a different
look and feel than other plastics.
Eyeglasses
made of nylon were first introduced in the late 1940s.
Because of brittleness and other problems, eyeglass manufacturers
switched to blended nylon (polyamides, co-polyamides and gliamides).
Today's blended nylon frames are both strong and lightweight.
Nylon is also a
premier material for sports and performance frames —
typically made of gliamides, which are very resistant to hot
and cold and are more flexible, yet also stiff. Nylon is also
easily molded into today's popular wraparound styles, as well
as other shapes that are difficult to produce.
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This
sunglass is mostly nylon, with stainless steel
hinges for extra strength. Vestra, by Lazi.
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Plastic frames do have
some drawbacks. They are easier to break than metal frames,
they will burn (but are not easily ignited), and aging and
exposure to sunlight slightly decrease their strength but
do not affect color.
Metal
Monel —
a mixture of any of a broad range of metals — is the
most widely used material in the manufacture of eyeglass frames.
It is malleable and corrosion-resistant — especially
if the right kind of plating, such as palladium or other nickel-free
options, is used.
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Because
of limited technology, titanium used to come
only in silver-gray, but now many colors are
available. This is Everlast style 800.
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Frame manufacturers
are coming out with more and more titanium styles these
days; titanium is a silver-gray metal that's lightweight,
durable, strong and corrosion-resistant. It has been used
for everything from the Gemini and Apollo space capsules to
medical implants such as heart valves. Titanium eyewear can
be produced in a variety of colors for a clean, modern look
with a hint of color. Not all frames are 100 percent titanium.
Some frames are made from an alloy that is a combination of
titanium and other metals, such as nickel or copper.
Beryllium,
a steel-gray metal, is experiencing increased popularity as
a lower-cost alternative to titanium eyewear. It resists corrosion
and tarnish, making it an excellent choice for wearers who
have high skin acidity or spend a good amount of time in or
around salt water. It's also lightweight, very strong, very
flexible (making it easy for an optician to adjust your glasses)
and available in a wide range of colors.
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The
figure-8 frame on these sunglasses is made
of beryllium. Lazi Eights, by Lazi.
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Stainless
steel frames are another alternative to titanium. Qualities
of stainless steel frames include light weight, low toxicity
and strength; many stainless steel frames are also nickel-free
and thus hypoallergenic. Stainless steel is readily available
and reasonably priced. It's an alloy of steel and chromium;
it may
also contain another element. Most stainless
steels contain anywhere from 10 to 30 percent chromium, which
imparts an excellent resistance to corrosion, abrasion and
heat.
Relatively new
to the eyewear market, Ticral is an alloy of titanium,
copper and chrome. It is nickel-free and thus hypoallergenic.
It's also extremely lightweight and offers many of the features
of titanium without the high cost. It can be cut a bit thicker
than titanium, which enables it to have the popular look of
a thin plastic frame while still offering light weight. The
material is also strong, durable and available in a variety
of colors.
Flexon is
a titanium-based alloy. This unique and popular material,
which is proprietary to the eyeglass manufacturer Marchon,
is called a "memory metal" because it can go back to its original
shape if damaged. Frames made of Flexon come back into shape
even after twisting, bending and crushing. Flexon frames are
lightweight, hypoallergenic and corrosion-resistant.
"Since Flexon
easily goes back into the shape the dispenser originally gave
it, it ultimately makes for a better frame and fit," said
Dave Chure, executive vice president of Marchon. "Flexon is
also about 25 percent lighter in weight than standard metals
so you get much less weight on the face."Frames
made from aluminum are lightweight and highly corrosion-resistant.
Aluminum is used primarily by high-end eyewear designers because
of the unique look it creates. Aluminum is not only the world's
most abundant, but also the most widely used, nonferrous material.
Pure aluminum is actually soft and weak, but commercial aluminum
with small amounts of silicon and iron is hard and strong.
Unusual
Frame Materials
Want a distinctive
style? Willing to pay for it? Try eyeglass frames or design
accents made from these materials. High-end optical boutiques
will be the best hunting grounds for finding this unique and
sometimes pricey eyewear.
Solid silver or
sterling silver is not commonly used as a main frame material
because it doesn't make very wearable or comfortable frames.
Silver is sometimes used as a trace element in metal alloy
frames, and is often used as a jewelry-like accent on plastic
frames.
Some companies make gold
eyewear, typically gold plating rather than solid gold. Like
silver, gold can also be used for accenting plastic or metal
frames.
Wood and bone frames
are usually handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces that satisfy a
specialty niche. Although stiffer and less adjustable than
other frame materials, plus much more expensive, wood and
bone redeem themselves as frame materials because of their
unique look and beauty.
Often used on temples
or even across frame fronts, leather is not as durable
or practical as other materials used for accenting, but it
provides an interesting and fashionable look.
Hair,Eye
and Frame Color
Brown hair goes well with metal
or darker frames. Transparent or light-colored frames are
best for blonds. All colors except yellow and white work well
on redheads. The color of your eyebrows should also be a determinant
in your frame selection. However, if your hair and eyebrow
colors are different, your hair color is a more important
consideration.
Your eye color can be complemented by or coordinated with
your frames. Dark brown eyes are the most versatile. Almost
any color will work well but dark brown frames are probably
the least flattering. Rosy, orange, tawny, and dark purple
tones look best with blue eyes. Roses, purples, warm greens
and gold highlighted frames look good with light brown or
hazel eyes. Green eyes look best with khaki, chocolate,
purple and burgundy colors.
Thickness of Frames
and Lenses
Lastly, when
choosing a frame, you should consider how well it would work
with your customized lens.
Over the years, a great deal of progress
has been made in reducing the thickness and magnifying appearance
of lenses. Nonetheless, if placed in the wrong frames, strong
prescription lenses may produce some unnecessary effects.
If you are farsighted, convex lenses may make your eyes
look magnified to others. Larger frames can bring your eyes
back into proportion with the rest of your face. If you
are nearsighted, the opposite is true. Your lenses may make
your eyes look smaller than they are. Large frames will
increase this effect, whereas compact frames will reduce
it.
With any type of lens, frames with thicker
profiles can mask the thickness of the lens.
