Enamoured by enamel

May 12, 2012 - Gursimran Chadha |

New Delhi

Jewellery enamelling is a decorative technique and largely implies the fusion of a special powdered glass to metals such as gold or silver to give it a high-gloss and colourful finish.

In India minakari has existed since ancient times. And, with everything traditional being back in vogue, enamelling too is back as a style statement.

The trend also sells the other way around, with diamonds and coloured stones adding importance and class to enamel work. This is evident in cocktail rings and thick bracelets.

While ladies may have beautiful necklaces, young girls are comfortable wearing colourful enamel bangles, cuffs and rings. An enamelled ornament can be simple or brightly coloured, and so can be worn for various occasions.

The best part about enamel jewellery is that it can be casual yet sophisticated, depending on what you wear.

With brands such as Yves Saint Laurent (with its Iconic Arty enamel ring), the House of Harlow 1960, Macy’s and ASOS also coming out with interesting enamel jewels once in a while, it seems the art is a safe style investment.

The writer is a jewellery designer with expertise in gemmology

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