Stained glass is a captivating art form that dates back centuries, bringing color, light, and stories to life through intricately designed pieces. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a budding artisan, understanding the language of stained glass is essential for mastering the craft. This glossary will walk you through A to Z of important stained glass terms, helping you speak the language of glass with confidence.

A – Annealing

The process of slowly cooling glass to relieve internal stresses after it’s been heated. This ensures the piece doesn’t crack or break later.

B – Bevel

A piece of glass that has an angled surface cut along its edge. Bevels reflect light in beautiful ways and are often used for decorative borders.

C – Came

A grooved metal strip (usually lead, zinc, or copper) used to join individual pieces of glass in a traditional stained glass window.

D – Dalle de Verre

French for “slab of glass,” this technique uses thick slabs of colored glass, often embedded in concrete or epoxy resin.

E – Etching

A decorative technique where designs are carved or frosted onto the surface of glass using acid or sandblasting.

F – Flux

A chemical applied to the copper foil or lead came before soldering to help the solder flow and bond properly.

G – Grozing

The process of shaping or smoothing the edges of glass using grozing pliers. Essential for getting the perfect fit.

H – Hobby Came

A flexible, easy-to-use lead came for beginners, often used in simple stained glass projects.

I – Iridescent Glass

Glass that displays a rainbow-like surface effect, achieved by applying metallic salts during manufacturing.

J – Jig

A frame or template used to keep pieces in place while assembling a stained glass project.

K – Kiln

A high-temperature oven used in fusing, slumping, and painting glass. Essential for techniques that require heating.

L – Leaded Glass

Another term for stained glass where pieces are held together using lead came. Common in traditional windows.

M – Mosaic

Although different from stained glass, mosaics use small pieces of colored glass or tiles arranged into patterns—sometimes combined in stained glass projects.

N – Nippers

Hand tools used to cut small pieces of glass or shape edges.

O – Opalescent Glass

Glass that is partially opaque with swirling colors—ideal for adding dimension and depth to designs.

P – Patina

A chemical solution applied to solder to darken or color it, giving the finished piece an antique or refined appearance.

Q – Quarter Round

A type of glass cut or bevel with a quarter-circle shape, commonly used in borders or corners.

R – Reinforcement

Adding steel rods or copper strips to large stained glass panels to prevent sagging over time.

S – Solder

A metal alloy (usually tin and lead) used to bond copper-foiled or leaded pieces together. It melts at a relatively low temperature.

T – Tiffany Method

Also called the copper foil method. Developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, this technique involves wrapping each piece of glass in copper foil before soldering them together.

U – U-Channel Came

Lead came shaped like a “U” used to finish the outer edge of a stained glass panel.

V – Ventilation

Essential in stained glass workspaces, especially when soldering, to ensure that fumes from flux and solder are safely removed.

W – Wheel Cutter

A hand tool with a small cutting wheel used to score glass so it can be broken cleanly along the score line.

X – X-Acto Knife

Commonly used for cutting patterns or foil with precision. While not specific to stained glass, it’s a helpful tool in your toolkit.

Y – Yield

Refers to how efficiently you can use your glass sheet with minimal waste. Strategic planning helps improve your yield.

Z – Zinc Came

A sturdy type of came used on the outer edge of a stained glass panel for strength and durability.

Why Learn the Lingo?

Understanding these terms not only helps you communicate better with instructors and fellow artists, but also improves your practical skills in designing, assembling, and finishing stained glass pieces. Knowing what each tool or technique does ensures you’re using the right materials, handling them properly, and ultimately creating stunning works of art.

Whether you’re cutting your first piece of glass or leading your own window design, mastering the vocabulary helps you move from beginner to confident creator.

Ready to Get Hands-On?

If you’re feeling inspired to put this knowledge into practice, there’s no better way to learn than by joining stained glass classes. These sessions guide you through tools, materials, safety, design, and techniques—turning you from a curious beginner into a capable glass artist.

Learn Stained Glass at Feelartistic Studio

Looking for the perfect place to explore the world of stained glass art? Feelartistic Studio offers hands-on stained glass classes for all skill levels—from total beginners to advanced hobbyists. You’ll learn in a creative, welcoming environment, using high-quality materials and expert instruction to build your skills step by step.

Whether you’re interested in copper foil work, traditional lead came methods, or designing your own luminous masterpiece, Feelartistic Studio has a session just for you. Start your stained glass journey today, visit Feelartistic Studio and see where your creativity can shine through colored glass!