It’s time for you to choose some new eyeglasses. You may feel utterly swamped by the vast selection of frames out there. Perhaps you are feeling overloaded with information from your latest Google searches. What is the best material? Why do I keep running into the word “acetate”? Why are the prices so different between acetate glasses?
Many glasses are made of acetate. But all acetate eyeglasses are not created equal. Let’s start with the basics.
What Are Acetate Glasses?
Acetate is otherwise known as cellulose acetate, zyl or zylonite. Acetate is a hypoallergenic material, which means it will rarely cause allergic reactions. If that wasn’t enough, acetate is both a natural and renewable material, providing an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
Acetate frames are lightweight and considered better and higher quality than plastic frames. Since they are known for their hypoallergenic qualities, therefore they are a popular choice amongst those with sensitive skin. Unlike certain plastic frames or some metal frames, they are less likely to cause irritation.
Acetate is made up of a (bio) polymer derived from wood (tree) pulp and/or natural cotton fibres. These cellulosic fibres have been replaced over the years by cheaper options such as injected nylon and polyester, both of which are petroleum-based plastics. In some cases, nylon is a reasonable material for eyewear—such as for impact or heat resistance in sports eyewear or safety goggles. However, when for fashionable spectacles, this material is almost always used to cut costs. The result is lower quality and less aesthetically appealing final design.
Below are the reasons why acetate is preferable compared to other materials
- It has no adverse effects on the environment.
- It is made from renewable resources.
- Is it hypoallergenic
- May come in a wide range of colours
- It is possible to make it a beautiful piece of transparent eyewear.
These are just a few of the many unique features that make this plant-based product stand out. The lightweight, thin designs and durability of premium acetate frames are well-known. Despite this, they are flexible and have glass-like transparency.
How Are Acetate Glasses Made?

In RYAN ADDA, we always make it out top priority to use only the finest grade of cellulose acetate to obtain the best quality. Hundreds of complex procedures go into each frame, and a large number of craftsmen contribute to our final products.
Acetate Sheets: By combining organic colours with acetone and the raw plant-based acetate material, new acetate combinations are created. To create unique colour effects, rollers are used to mix the paste onto existing thin flat sheets of acetate. Layering multiple colours and wedging them together or pressing them through a number of dies produces complex shades. The acetate film may be cut into tiny cubes and rerolled. These layers are pressed together to form huge blocks. Following that, professionals meticulously cut out single fresh sheets, which are then dried in huge kilns for many weeks to cure the material.
Cutting and Forming: The frames are cut to form using computer-controlled mills based on the professional’s design or construction. The individual frame components are then hand-finished by a team of highly skilled craftsmen. They shape the frame’s front curve and compress the core wires and hinges into the acetate material. They attach the nose pads and hand finish numerous other design elements.
Polishing: The frame components are stored in barrels, which are filled with wood chips and tiny stones. For several hours, the components are tossed together. Following that, each frame is hand-buffed by an expert technician to a highly polished finish.
Assembly: Further technicians fasten the arms to the frames with rivets and tiny screws. Lenses are inserted, and the frame adjusted and cleaned.
The degree of expertise of the craftsperson in each of the preceding steps taken by the RYAN ADDA team has a direct effect on the frame’s final quality. Investing in excellent workmanship yields a very well-crafted frame.
RYAN ADDA Acetate Glasses Frames

Warm and comfortable on the skin, our RYAN ADDA offers an extensive array of acetate frames with a wide selection of colour options. You may even check out our FLIGHT Collection that mixes the two combinations of acetate and titanium to make more robust and sophisticated eyewear, with strong features possessed by acetate and titanium materials.