This ebony mail has very good attributes and not to heavy to carry around. My concern is, all the flashing lights and stars etc.This is very distracting when talking to someone or in battle. Is this something that will go away or will it be active as long as I am wearing the mail? Thanks

It's there to stay.

I found that some things may get it to go away. Loading cells and stuff like that can get the effect to glitch away. But I never did extensive testing on what could make it disappear.

if you're playing on PC, there's http://tesalliance.org/forums/index.php?/files/file/1200-shieldvfx-retexture/ which makes the shield effect less obtrusive.

There is also "no shield effect" mod:

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=1499

thanks for the help but I'm on regular x-box, can't do any of that fancy stuff. I'll just go back to my glass cuirass. Thanks

I wonder if casting dispel on yourself would remove the spell appearance but the effect would remain active...