Enamel Jewelry
2010s Thai Contemporary Enamel Jewelry
Amber, Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
1990s German Edwardian Enamel Jewelry
Agate, Amber, Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Enamel Jewelry
Amber, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Enamel Jewelry
Rainbow Moonstone, Moonstone, Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Aquamarine, Amber, ...
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Enamel Jewelry
Amber, Enamel, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Enamel Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Enamel Jewelry
Amethyst, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Enamel Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
2010s Turkish Modern Enamel Jewelry
Amethyst, Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s Enamel Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Enamel, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Enamel Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Enamel Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Russian Russian Empire Antique Enamel Jewelry
Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Enamel Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Art Nouveau Vintage Enamel Jewelry
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Artist Enamel Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century French Enamel Jewelry
Amber, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Enamel Jewelry
Amber, Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Silver, Sterl...
Antique and Vintage Enamel Jewelry and Watches
From vibrant to subtle, elegant to cheeky, vintage and antique enamel jewelry and watches encompass a wide range of colors and styles, and there are almost as many techniques for creating these distinctive pieces.
Enameling is one of the oldest forms of surface decoration, used to add color to jewelry without having to rely on gemstones. Evidence of enameling goes back to ancient Greece. Throughout history, far-flung cultures favored different techniques. For example, cloisonné enamel was popular during the Byzantine Empire, while artisans living in France and Germany in the Middle Ages preferred champlevé. And Art Nouveau jewelry designers favored plique à jour.
At its core, enamel is the fusion of powdered glass to metal, and artists like enameling because it allows them to add a painterly or illustrative quality to their work.
Cloisonné (“cell” in French) is a technique in the creation of enamel jewelry that sees the use of thin wires of fine silver or gold to outline a design, which is then filled with enamel. The piece is subsequently placed in a kiln where the enamel is melted. Cloisonné is distinct because the individual wires remain visible, forming an outline of the motif.
Champlevé (“level field” in French) enamel is almost the opposite of cloisonné. In this technique, depressions in the metal are made by etching, engraving or chiseling, and then layers of enamel are built up until they rise slightly above the surface of the metal. The enamel is then fired and polished.
Guilloché is a technique in which translucent enamel is applied to a piece of metal that has had designs cut into it using a lathe. After the firing, the patterns on the metal become visible. Guilloché was made famous by Peter Carl Fabergé, whose jewelry house used the technique on many of its objets d’art as well as jewelry.
Find antique and vintage enamel rings, bracelets, necklaces and other accessories on 1stDibs.