Iceglass

Iceglass is a term used to describe materials and products that mimic the appearance of ice, combining transparency with diffuse light scattering. The term appears in glassmaking, architecture, design, and occasionally in fiction.

In glassmaking, iceglass refers to glass that has an icy or frosted surface created by etching, sandblasting, or the controlled inclusion of microbubbles. The result is a surface that remains clear in direct view but emits a milky glow when illuminated. It is used in decorative panels, lighting fixtures, and countertops.

In materials research, iceglass can denote a glass–ice composite in which microscopic ice-like inclusions are embedded in a glass matrix. Such composites are largely experimental, explored for unique optical or thermal properties. Commercial examples are rare and usually highly specialized to a given application.

In popular culture, iceglass is often depicted as a fictional material with superior cryogenic resilience or magical cooling properties. Because the term is not standardized, its precise meaning depends on the author, manufacturer, or project.

Overall, iceglass is not a single, defined material. It serves as a descriptive label for several glass-like substances and effects that evoke ice, with meanings varying by context.