Floris DiemelImagine your eyeglasses are made of sand and cardboard. It will feel so uncomfortable, flimsy, and frankly out of place. The reason you can’t accept this as what your eyeglasses are made of is because of its frame materials.
Frames for eyeglasses need to be made with durable and comfortable materials that help an eyewear business save cost at the same time. However, that wasn’t the case at all for most of the past. So it begs the question: what is the best material for eyeglass frames? And what are the types of eyeglass frame materials?
To answer your question, we have created this small guide that covers all materials that an eyeglass design can use and have used in the past. We have also mentioned how to choose the best materials for your eyeglasses if you are a manufacturer or a small-scale eyewear business.
Early Natural Eyeglass Frame Materials
Long before the sleek, blue metal frame glasses or lightweight plastic eyeglass frames we see today, early spectacles were handcrafted from organic, natural materials. The evolution of eyeglasses began in the late 13th century, with simplistic lenses mounted into primitive frames. These early eyeglass design concepts helped set the foundation for modern eyeglass frame materials, blending necessity with the limited resources of the time.
What Were Early Glasses Made Of?
Early eyeglass frame components were crafted from materials that were locally available and easy to shape by hand. These included:
Leather
This material offered a soft, flexible fit for early spectacle frames. While relatively comfortable, it lacked structure and degraded quickly with exposure to heat and moisture.
Wood
It was another common material for eyewear, durable yet often bulky and uncomfortable. Over time, wooden frames would splinter or warp, making them impractical for everyday use.
Bone and Horn
Bones and animal horn were widely used due to their workable nature and relatively better durability. Horn, in particular, could be polished to a smooth finish, offering early glimpses of what we’d now consider stylish spectacle frames.
These spectacle frame materials were biodegradable and sustainable, but they posed limitations in terms of comfort, consistency, and longevity. There was also another concern of your lenses falling off or dismantling of the actual eyeframe. But there were some advantages as well. They were:
| Material | Pros | Cons |
| Leather | Flexible, lightweight | Degrades easily, lacks rigidity |
| Wood | Durable, easy to carve | Heavy, bulky, can be uncomfortable |
| Bone/Horn | More durable, can be polished stylishly | Susceptible to cracking, limited adjustability |
Metal Eyeglass Frames
The transition from natural to metal eyeglass frames in the 18th and 19th centuries marked a turning point in the evolution of eyeglasses. As eyeglass frame materials became more advanced, metal offered the durability, adjustability, and refinement that early materials like horn and wood lacked.
Some of the earliest and most iconic eyeglass background examples, including Benjamin Franklin’s spectacles, featured simple yet practical metal rims, often made from steel or silver. Over time, metals like nickel, stainless steel, gold, and eventually titanium became popular due to their distinct qualities.
Metals Used in Eyeglass Frames
1. Steel
Steel was among the earliest metals used in frame-making, prized for its solid strength. However, unless plated or stainless, it’s susceptible to rust. Typical steel frames (without lenses) weigh in the range of 30g to 40 g. This heavier feel made them less desirable as eyewear materials evolved.
2. Nickel and Nickel Alloys
Nickel alloys (like Monel) became common due to their affordability and flexibility in forming eyeglass metal frames. Unfortunately, a significant number of users experience nickel allergies from glasses, prompting demand for hypoallergenic alternatives. Nickel-based frames typically fall into the 30g up to 40 g range, similar to basic steel frames.
3. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel brought enhanced resistance to corrosion along with moderate weight. It typically ranges from 30g to 35 g per frame. Known for combining durability, affordability, and a low-profile aesthetic (e.g., white eyeglasses frames or blue metal frame glasses), stainless steel is a go-to for brands focusing on value (like Montgomery Frames or men’s frames eyeglasses lines).
4. Gold and Silver
These precious metals were early indicators of opulence in eyewear. While durable and corrosion-resistant, they are far heavier than newer alternatives, often 35 g or more, depending on plating and ornamentation. Their higher cost and weight limit them mostly to luxury spectacle frame materials.
5. Titanium
Titanium frames revolutionized comfort in eyewear. With exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, titanium is lightweight, hypoallergenic, and corrosion-resistant. Typical titanium frames weigh just 15g to 25 g, some ultra-thin models weigh as little as 3g to 6 g without lenses.
Examples:
- Minimalist rimless titanium: Approx. 3 g
- Standard alloy frames (like TitexA/B): About 16g to 17 g
This makes titanium consistently rank among the best materials for eyeglass frames, especially in the comparison of titanium vs. stainless steel frames. It’s also safe for sensitive skin, unlike nickel-rich materials.
Also read: How Lens Manufacturing Technology Is Getting Smarter With AI Eyewear Tools
The Rise of Lightweight Plastic Eyeglass Materials
The progression of eyeglass frame materials took a major turn in the 19th century with the introduction of celluloid, the first thermoplastic. While revolutionary, celluloid was flammable and unstable, pushing the eyewear industry to seek safer, more durable alternatives. This led to the modern era of lightweight plastic eyeglass frames, shaping what glasses are made of today.
Acetate
One of the most common answers to “what are glasses frames made of” is acetate, a non-petroleum-based plastic known for vibrant colors and exceptional flexibility. Unlike injection-molded plastics, acetate eyeglass frames are cut from solid sheets, giving them superior structure and polish. Designers of mens frames eyeglasses and white eyeglasses frames often choose acetate for its versatility and fashion-forward finish.
Polycarbonate
While most known for its lens applications (answering “what are eyeglass lenses made of”), polycarbonate glasses have also emerged as a sturdy, affordable option for frames. They offer high impact resistance and are ideal for safety glasses and children’s eyewear.
TR90
TR90, a thermoplastic developed in Switzerland, bridges the gap between plastic and rubber. It’s heat-resistant, hypoallergenic, and extremely lightweight. Manufacturers typically compare TR90 vs. acetate when deciding between rigidity and flexibility. TR90 is also a go-to material for blue light glasses with metal frames due to its comfort for extended wear.
Optyl
Developed by Safilo, Optyl is a heat-sensitive epoxy resin that molds perfectly to the wearer’s face and returns to its original shape when reheated. Though less widely used than acetate or TR90, it represents a luxurious option in the evolution of eyeglasses.
Smart Eyeglass Materials Used in 2025
Smart eyewear materials in 2025 help to target performance and stylistic issues that are still present when using cost-effective materials like plastics and cheap metals. This is becoming possible because of using advanced materials that reshape how we view comfort, durability, and personalization in spectacle design.
Materials used in modern eyeglasses:
- Memory metal (e.g., Flexon): Ultra-flexible and returns to shape, perfect for active users. A top choice in memory metal glasses.
- Carbon fiber: Lightweight yet incredibly strong, ideal for sports. Popular in carbon fiber eyeglass frames.
- Titanium: Corrosion-resistant, hypoallergenic, and extremely light—used in premium eyeglass metal frames and men’s frames eyeglasses.
- 3D-printed materials: Allow full customization for stylish spectacle frames and unique eyeglass frame components.
- Acetate blends: Offer vibrant colors and eco-conscious options, outperforming traditional plastic in acetate vs. plastic eyeglasses.
- Blue metal and white eyeglasses frames: Trending styles in 2025 that combine material innovation with visual appeal.
- Recycled plastics: Now used in sunglasses plastic frame models, making eyewear more sustainable.
- Smart materials redefine what eyeglasses are made of: blending style, function, and futuristic craftsmanship together.
How to Choose the Right Eyeglass Frame Material
Choosing the right eyeglass frame material can impact comfort, durability, style, and cost. So, if you are a manufacturer, online eyewear business, or a retailer, you should know which eyewear materials for frames are worth your options.
1. Weight
If you wear glasses all day, frame weight matters. Lightweight materials like titanium or acetate reduce pressure on your nose and ears, enhancing long-term comfort. Heavier frames, often made from metals or layered plastics, may feel more solid but can cause fatigue.
2. Durability
Durability influences how long your glasses last. Titanium and memory metals are known for resilience and flexibility, ideal for everyday use. Acetate frames offer decent strength, while basic plastics may warp or crack more easily over time.
3. Hypoallergenic Properties
If you have sensitive skin, selecting hypoallergenic materials like pure titanium, acetate, or stainless steel helps prevent irritation. Avoid cheap nickel-based alloys, which are frequently found in low-cost eyeglass metal frames and can cause allergic reactions.
4. Style Versatility
Materials like acetate offer vibrant colors and shapes, making them popular for stylish spectacle frames and white eyeglasses frames. Metal frames, such as blue metal eyeglass frames, are sleek and professional, often used in mens frames eyeglasses or minimalist designs.
5. Cost
Plastic frames are affordable and widely available. Premium materials like titanium or carbon fiber cost more but offer greater longevity, comfort, and style. Always consider your budget alongside performance and aesthetics when evaluating glasses frame material.
Conclusion
Eyeglass frame materials have evolved from natural elements to cutting-edge synthetics. Understanding their strengths, aesthetics, and functionality empowers manufacturers and retailers to make smarter choices.
Whether you’re designing stylish spectacle frames or sourcing materials for men’s eyewear, selecting the right frame material defines both product performance and consumer satisfaction. The designing and material choice is the important and tough part to ground down. That’s why you can use VARAi’s various AI-powered tools to make sure this process goes smoothly.
You can try our:
To shape, design, and choose the right material for your eyewear collection. Contact us to get a free demo today!