Stainless Steel Enameled Jewelry
With the proper care and maintenance, enamel jewelry will continue to shine for years. However, sometimes life throws a curveball and your enamel treasures may get chipped or broken.
Hard enamel, also known as cloisonné, is famous for its smooth appearance and exceptional durability. It’s a beautiful finish that adds depth and contour to designs like a miniature landscape.
It’s Hypoallergenic
When shopping for jewelry, you will see that many items are described as hypoallergenic. This is a jewelry customization good thing, but it depends on what metals are used to make the jewelry. Generally speaking, the term hypoallergenic only applies to jewelry that is free of nickel and other common allergens.
Stainless steel is a low-allergen metal, and it will not react with your skin like other metals do. It does not turn your neck or wrist green because it does not contain allergic fillers like copper, brass, and nickel. These fillers are what commonly cause reactions to jewelry.
Enameling is also hypoallergenic. Unlike gold plating or e-coating, enamel is cured in the heat of a special kiln. This process ensures that the enamel adheres to the item being enamelled. It does not flake or chip off. Moreover, it is more durable than either of these methods.
If you are looking for a jewelry that is hypoallergenic, then you should consider rhodium. Rhodium is a lustrous metal that can be applied to almost any type of jewelry. Usually, rhodium is used to plate sterling silver jewelry. The plating is designed to last for a long time and protect against nickel allergies. The underlying metal can be any type of sterling silver, but it is best to use a metal that contains no nickel.
It’s Durable
Unlike traditional metals that can rust or tarnish, stainless steel has a layer of chromium protecting it. That’s what makes it a great material for jewelry. It’s hypoallergenic and has a warm gray color similar to platinum.
Enameling is an ancient art that transforms raw materials into intricate pieces of jewelry or artifacts. The first step involves coating an item with powdered glass. Then, with a wave of a magic wand (or the intense heat of a kiln), that glass dust turns into a lustrous surface. This process has been used by countless civilizations to create one-of-a-kind jewelry and art.
Before an item can be enameled, it needs to be polished to ensure that any existing scratches or abrasions are smoothed out. This is especially important for items that will be engraved, as rough areas can show through the enamel and cause blotching. Next, the jeweler may use a special pin-like tool to insert the enamel into very tiny spaces on the piece. Once the item is fully coated, it’s sent to be cured.
Enamel is a non-metallic compound, which means it does not have the same properties as iron and other metals that can rust or oxidize. It forms a continuous, impermeable barrier over the metal, preventing moisture and air – the primary culprits of rusting – from reaching the underlying surface.
It’s Affordable
Stainless steel is an affordable metal that can be used to create high-quality enamel jewelry. While it may not be as expensive as silver or gold, it is still a very durable metal that can hold up against wear and tear.
Enameling is a process that involves applying colors to a piece of metal. It’s one of the oldest forms of art and has been used for thousands of years. It was popular in the Mughal Empire where minakar, or enamelers, were employed to decorate gold and silver objects. They used both cloissone and champleve techniques to produce enamel for the royal family.
Enamel is a very versatile material, so it can be used on different types of jewelry. It can be applied to metals, glass, or ceramics. It’s especially popular in the fashion industry for clothing and accessories. Stainless steel is an excellent choice for enamel because it’s hypoallergenic, durable, and doesn’t rust.
The metal is also very easy to clean. You can use a damp cloth to remove any dirt or dust from the surface of the piece. When purchasing jewelry made from stainless steel, it’s important to look for a piece that has SGS certification. This is an international organization that provides inspection, testing, verification, and certification services for companies that export their products.
It’s Vintage
Enameling has been a common technique in the metal consumer industry since the 18th century, coating steel products such as cookware and marker boards. Today, it’s still one of the most popular ways to decorate a wide variety of metal objects and accessories.
The first step in enameling is to make sure that the item’s surface is clean and ready for a fresh coat of paint. A jeweler will polish the jewelry, then move it to Enamel gold necklace for women a cleaning tank that blasts bubbles onto the piece of jewelry to remove any impurities. It’s important that the jewelry is completely cleaned, as any dirt or residue will show up under the enamel and create a blotchy appearance.
Next, the jeweler applies a thin layer of enamel to the item. They may use a brush or other implements to place the enamel in tiny spots, or even apply it with stencils. Once they’re satisfied with the application, the item is sent off to be fired in a kiln.
The firing process heats the enamel to high temperatures, melting and fusing it to the object. The kiln also causes the enamel to become solid and hard. Once the item is cooled, the jeweler will polish it and clean it once again. The final piece is a beautiful and durable addition to any jewelry collection.