Add a Pop of Color With Enamel Earrings
Enamel, essentially jewelry paint, adds a pop of color to designs. But unlike regular jewelry, enamel requires more care to prevent abrasion and chipping.
Be sure to choose enamel pieces that are made with a method of firing—enameling with fire is of a higher quality than those painted on with resin. Also be careful not to store enamel jewelry in accident-prone locations, as it could crack over time.
Bright Colors
For a pop of color to add to your ensemble, choose from a variety of enamel earrings. Enameling is the process of applying small granules of glass to metal and firing it in a kiln at high temperatures, creating a smooth and durable vitreous coating. There are several different enamelling techniques, each with its own distinctive characteristics.
Enamel is a versatile material that can be used in a variety of jewelry styles. It is also durable and easy to maintain, making it a great choice for everyday wear. The variety of colors available allows you to create a look that is both bold and feminine. Enameling is a popular choice for contemporary designers as well as those looking to add an element of surprise and drama to their designs.
Laurel Burch jewelry is a classic example of how enamels can be used to create colorful critters that reflect the spirit and style of the designer. You can find a wide range of rainbow cat earrings and necklaces in her Classic Collection, which is a tribute to the designer’s love of cats, dogs and horses.
When shopping for enamel jewelry, look for the words “vitreous” or “hard enamel” on the description to ensure that you’re purchasing quality pieces. The best enamel is infused with fire and the higher the quality, the longer it will last. Avoid any pieces Enamel Earrings that have been painted on with resin as this can fade and chip easily.
Other types of enamel include basse-taille, champleve and cloisonné. These enameling methods fuse different coloured enamel powders with the metal base, which can be silver or copper. The result is a piece that resembles a mosaic. The technique was popular around the 19th century and was used by famous jewellery makers like Jean Schlumberger at Tiffany & Co.
Another type of enamel jewelry is called meenakari, which was popularized in India. This is similar to cloisonné but uses much more vivid colours and is typically blue in appearance. Other popular forms of enamel include plique a jour, which was used by many artists working in the Art Nouveau style. In this technique, enamel is applied to cells on a piece of mica or a layer of copper foil and etched away, which produces a stained-glass effect.
Y2K Trends
As the world embraces a new era, millennial and Gen Z tastes are informing everything from art to fashion. The latter is no exception as jewelry that stray from standard gold and silver pieces is having a major moment. This is especially true for enamel, which adds a vibrant twist to modern metal jewellery.
The enamel technique, originally developed during the Persian empire (and later adopted in India as minakari), is a decorative layer of glass-like paint applied to the surface of a metal piece such as an earring or brooch. This iridescent coating is fused with extreme heat to create a hard, durable material that can come in a rainbow of colors.
While a range of enamel styles have been around for millennia, contemporary jewellers are continuing to innovate with the technique. Inspired by psychedelic colours and the desire to push traditional jewellery boundaries, designers like Austy Lee creates striking jewellery pairing gemstones with electrifyingly bright enamel. In her Neon Amoeba ring, she balances architectural lines with colour contrasts that make for an eye-catching statement piece.
Other designers evoke a more playful, summer camp-inspired aesthetic with enamel accents. Candy-like raver-worthy baubles adorned spring/summer 2022 runways at Anna Sui, Coach and Brandon Maxwell, while playful pearl and gummy bear charms are featured in designs from Notte, Frasier Sterling and more. A more sophisticated take on this trend can be found in 18K gold floral and butterfly pendants from Pascale Monvoisin and Brent Neale or in Jenna Blake’s epoxy resin/cold enamel rainbow moon and star cuffs.
A recurring motif that was seen across all the major jewelry brands at Paris Haute Couture was the bold enamel cuff. The trend has continued to reign in fine jewellery, with Gigi Clozeau’s Theodora 18K yellow gold and gemstone cuff and Nikos Koulis’s architectural Oui cuff featuring a cross set with multi-color enameling.
Another way to get onboard the Y2K trend is with a stack of enamel rings, reminiscent of styles worn by the likes of Bella Hadid and Miranda Kerr. A periwinkle-hued studded ring from Short & Suite is just one option, while Bon Bon Whims’ playful gummy bear earrings are sure to delight.
Statement Pieces
Enamel jewelry is the perfect way to add a pop of color to your wardrobe without relying on gemstones. From chandelier earrings to pendant necklaces and cuff bracelets, there is an enamel piece that will suit every style. With a wide variety of colors and unique patterns, it’s easy to find a piece that complements your everyday look or stands out as a statement accessory.
Enamel is a type of glass that has been fused onto a metal base with heat to create a stunning and one-of-a-kind design. This technique is often used in jewelry making and has been around for centuries, with some examples dating back to the Byzantine empire. The skill of the enameller can greatly enhance the appearance of a piece, and some artists devote their lives to this art form.
When shopping for enamel jewelry, look for pieces that are crafted using the traditional fusing method. This is the best way to guarantee a high-quality product that will last for years. Avoid items that have been dipped in cold resin, as they will likely chip and break easily. Also, make sure to shop with a reputable seller that has great feedback and customer service.
Enameling has been around for centuries, with a number of different cultures contributing their own styles to the craft. In the 15th century, new adhesives were developed that allowed jewelers to use more intricate enamel designs in their work. The technique became more popular in the Art Nouveau era, and designers began to experiment with different techniques. One of these, called plique a jour (French for “to let in the daylight”), allows light to enter the jewelry from behind, creating a beautiful stained-glass effect.
While enamel jewelry is long-lasting, it does need some extra care to keep it looking its best. Avoid getting your enamel jewelry wet as it can cause the color to fade and the materials to deteriorate. When Enamel Earrings you do need to wash your enamel jewelry, use a mild detergent and dry it thoroughly with a cloth or soft toothbrush before wearing it again.
Versatility
Enameling is one of the oldest methods of jewelry surface decoration and is used to add color without having to rely on gemstones. It is also very durable, able to withstand the rigors of daily wear and tear much better than traditional precious metal pieces or even gemstones.
Enamels are often made by layering granules of glass over metal and heating them in a kiln to fuse the layers together. The technique has been refined by different cultures throughout history, and various enameling techniques have evolved. For example, the cloisonné style of enameling was popular during the Art Nouveau and Neo-Renaissance periods, while the plique a jour technique was favored by French jewelers at the turn of the 19th century.
Some of the most beautiful enamels are painted, which can add a dramatic touch to jewelry. The Grisaille enameling method, for instance, is created by putting multiple glass layers over one another to create different effects. During the Victorian Gothic period, for instance, black was used to give an intricate look to jewelry, with designs painted on top of it.
The technique of basse-taille, which uses a base of dark colors to highlight the design on top, is also popular in modern jewelry. A variety of shapes and colors can be used in this type of enameling, including florals and geometric patterns. The textured champleve technique, which uses gold to hold the colored enamel in place, is another style that has been in fashion for centuries. This technique has been adapted for use in fine jewelry by many of the major brands today.
A word of caution: Enamel jewelry is a bit more delicate than precious metal pieces or gemstones. It can be prone to scratching, especially if the enamel is painted. It is also a temperamental material and can crack easily when it is handled roughly or if strong detergents are used to clean it. It is also a good idea to avoid soaking a painted enamel piece of jewelry in water, as the heat may damage it.
Despite these drawbacks, enamel is still a wonderful addition to any jewelry collection. It is extremely versatile and can be incorporated into nearly any style. It’s a great way to make an otherwise basic piece of jewelry stand out and show off your personality.
