Enamel and Fine Jewelry?

Posted on November 28, 2007 by christine

I recently answered a question about enamelling and I thought I would share it here. If one person has a question, then others would too right?

Here it is: Question about enamel…?

I have started making jewelry & only like using good quality stones, esp when using 14k gold. Why did I just see a bracelet for $4500 in 18k gold, with enamel charms? Doesn’t enamel fade or scratch-Please tell me about enamel & why it’s used with solid gold.

Here was my answer:
Enamelling is a very specialized skill and uses very high quality materials. Enamelling has a very long history in in terms of fine jewelry making, and dates back a thousand years and more.

The process of enamelling involves using crushed glass or glass granules, a torch or kiln, and is time and skill intensive. The glass is melted onto a metal form, often copper, and forms a hard-wearing and durable layer of glass onto the metal. This process is repeated so that many layers form. The layers of melted glass do not fade or chip under normal conditions.

Enamelling is gaining popularity of late as jewelry artists continue to experiment with ancient techniques in new ways, and is a wonderful way to add color to precious metal work.

I am primarily a sterling silver and gold jewelry maker, and not an enamelling expert, so I don’t pretend to know exactly what’s involved, but I have looked into buying some enamelling supplies so I could try out some simple experiments for myself.

Resources you might like to check out:

There was a great article in Art Jewelry Magazine recently about making enamelled sterling silver headpins that you might be interested in checking out. I’m not sure what issue, but definitely
2007.

Glass on Metal magazine (http://www.glass-on-metal.com) is a great online resource where you can learn more and view the work of many high quality jewelry artists using enamel in their work.

Hope that helps!