Chrome effect with smoked glass

Reflective surface due to glass coating

Smoke-colored lights have a slightly mirrored or metallized surface and, depending on the incidence of light and the surroundings, the glass reflects like a mirror, giving it a chrome-like chrome-like appearance.

Light refraction and transparency

Smoked glass is not completely opaque, but slightly tinted, and the mixture of light refraction and reflection creates a metallic appearance.

Higher reflection in the air than on a dark background

When the lamp is suspended in the air, it can reflect more ambient light; against a dark background, the glass often appears darker, but in bright surroundings it reflects more strongly and can appear silvery or chrome-like.

Lighting and color temperature

Cold light (e.g. daylight white) intensifies the chrome-like effect, while warm light tends to make the color tone softer and more golden.

The phenomenon is therefore a combination of Reflection, refraction and ambient light. This is why smoke-colored glass luminaires often appear different depending on where they are hung and which light sources are nearby.