Enameled Stainless Steel Jewelry

Enameled jewelry combines beauty, craftsmanship, and history. The lustrous colors of enamel can elevate a piece’s aesthetic, while the protective coating prevents rusting and corrosion from damaging the base metal.

Whether hard enamel (cloisonne) or soft enamel, enamel offers a wide range of design options. This enables artists to weave narratives of elegance, charm, and sophistication into wearable art.

It’s Rust Resistant

The chromium in stainless steel creates a protective barrier that resists oxidation. This means that unlike silver, gold and some other jewelry metals, it will not turn your skin green or tarnish. This is why it’s used in most surgical and industrial equipment, as well as jewelry.

The powdered enamel is heated to very high temperatures in order for it to meld with the metal surface and bond. It can be translucent or opaque. The firing temperature can also change the color of the enamel, allowing it to become richer and more vibrant.

Enameling is a very versatile medium, allowing jewelers to produce beautiful designs that would be impossible with other materials. It can be applied to glass, ceramics, and most commonly to metal. It can be used for a variety of techniques, from cloisonne and guilloche to fusing enamel onto a carved design in the metal, such as with the cameo pendant above.

Using enamel on metals allows jewelers to achieve the beauty of gemstones without the cost and hassle of mining and cutting these precious stones. It can also add a sense of movement and life to a piece of jewelry, bringing it to life by reflecting the light. This is especially true of figurative pieces like this enamel cameo necklace, which features the profile of a beautiful woman.

It’s Affordable

Unlike other jewelry metals, which can cost significantly more than stainless steel, enamel is relatively inexpensive. It’s not uncommon to find necklaces and earrings in a wide range of price points that feature enamel. Enamel Fashion Jewellery is also a good choice for students and those on a tight budget.

Stainless steel is an ideal base material for one of a kind enamel pieces. It’s a strong, durable metal that won’t tarnish or turn color due to its layers of chromium. Stainless steel is also a green product and, when recycled, doesn’t produce toxic run-off. It is far more environmentally friendly than sterling silver, gold or any other precious metal components and alloys commonly used in the manufacture of jewelry.

Enamel is a ceramic-like material consisting of powdered glass that’s fused to a metal surface at high heat. The enamel paint can be applied to glass, ceramics or metals and is then fired in a kiln to harden. Enamel can be textured, opaque or translucent and is available in an array of colors and styles.

Stainless steel is the perfect base metal for a piece of jewelry showcasing colorful enamel because it won’t tarnish or oxidize. Unlike other jewelry metals, which can turn green due to copper, brass or nickel in the alloy, stainless steel will remain hypoallergenic and won’t irritate the skin. Stainless steel is also a much more affordable alternative to gold, platinum or silver plated jewelry.

It’s Nickel-Free

Enameling has a long history and has been used in the creation of jewelry, decorative objects and art. It is also an important industrial process that coats steel for everyday consumer items like cookware, metal sinks and marker boards and signage.

Some of the oldest known enameled objects are from Mycenaean Cyprus and date to the 13th century BC. The use of enamel in jewellery became more common in Egypt with the rise of the Minakar, or enamellers, who worked on gold and silver objects. The Metropolitan Museum of New York has a temple pendant featuring cloisonne enamel encased in gold that dates to the Byzantine empire, over 1000 years old.

The enameling process works by applying layers of dry, powdered glass over a piece of metal and then firing it at high temperatures to fuse the glass to the base material. This creates the sleek look of the enamel. The enamel can be translucent or opaque, depending on the temperature used for application. Lower temperatures allow for a smoother, clearer color.

Stainless steel is the perfect material to make enamel bracelets, necklaces Enamel gold necklace for women and earrings because it does not contain any nickel, which can cause an allergic reaction in some people. It’s a non-porous metal that resists rusting, fading and tarnishing. In fact, unlike plated jewelry made from precious metals like sterling silver, stainless steel will never fade and has a true silver color, due to the layer of chromium within.

It’s Waterproof

The durability and longevity of enamel jewelry make it a great choice for everyday wear. These pig-themed cufflinks showcase the creative possibilities of this technique. While the pigs are crafted of enamel, the bracelet links feature stainless steel to create an elegant piece that complements any outfit.

The process of enameling fuses powder coatings to the metal with high temperatures. Enamel can be applied to any type of metal, glass, ceramics or stone that can withstand the fusing temperature. The initial color of the enamel powder may not represent the vibrant hues that it will eventually produce after fusing, depending on the specifics of both the enamel and the underlying metal.

Depending on the design of the jewelry, different methods of enameling can be used. The granulation technique is one example that involves creating small striations in the surface of the enamel. This allows the light to pass through the striations, illuminating the jewelry’s patterns and colors. Another popular method is called champleve, in which the original metal’s surface is embossed by hammering or stamping. The resulting divots provide a canvas for the colorful enamel.

The enamel in these stainless steel necklaces, earrings and bracelets is not only beautiful but also durable. The invisible layer of chromium prevents the jewelry from tarnishing or turning gray over time. You can even wear your enamel jewelry in the shower without worrying about it changing color, although we recommend removing it before swimming for long periods of time.