Vitreous Enamel - Facts & Care

What is vitreous enamel?

Vitreous enamel is glass, fused to metal with heat. Finely ground coloured glass is applied to silver or copper, then fired in a kiln at around 800°C until it melts and bonds permanently to the metal. Each colour is built up in thin layers, with a separate firing for each. A single piece can go through the kiln many times.

It isn't paint or resin. Once fired, the colour is part of the glass itself. 

Colours that stay true

Enamel colours don't fade. They come from metal oxides melted into the glass, not from dyes or pigments sitting on the surface, so sunlight, water and time don't wash them out. The same is true of enamelled objects that are hundreds of years old and still as bright as the day they were fired.

The colours you see on your piece today are the colours it will keep.

Reds often contain gold, blues come from copper and iron and yellows can contain cadmium. Some of these sound a little scary, but rest assured, the glass is completely inert once fired and cooled back to its solid state.

Hardier than it looks

Enamel is made for everyday wear. Its glassy surface resists scratches, doesn't tarnish, and isn't affected by water, sweat or skin oils. Where a pendant is made on copper, both sides are enamelled, so no bare copper touches your skin.

Vitreous Enamels hardness can be compared to that of an opal. 

Like all glass, though, enamel can chip. This usually happens from a sharp knock or a drop onto a hard surface such as tiles or concrete, or if the metal is bent. Treat your piece as you would a fine glass or a favourite watch: wear it and enjoy it, just avoid hard impacts.

Caring for your piece

Cleaning

  • Wash gently in warm, mildly soapy water, rinse, and dry with a soft cloth.
  • Use a silver polishing cloth on the silver parts only, keeping it off the enamel.
  • Avoid abrasive cleaners, harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners, which can dull or chip enamel.

Wearing

  • Put your jewellery on last, after perfume, hairspray and lotions.
  • Take it off for gardening, gym sessions, heavy work and contact sports.
  • Remove it before swimming in chlorinated pools or hot springs, which tarnish silver.
  • Never bend the piece, as flexing the metal can crack the enamel.

Storing

  • Keep each piece in its own pouch or a lined box compartment, so it can't be knocked or scratched by harder jewellery.
  • Store silver in a sealed bag or with an anti-tarnish strip to slow tarnishing.

If your piece is damaged

If your enamel chips or a part comes loose, please don't try to glue or fix it at home. Get in touch through shaynesuttie.com.au, and I'll let you know what can be done. Because every piece is handmade, many can be repaired or re-fired.