About Enamel Jewelry
Enamel jewelry is beloved for its glossy, colorful appearance. Enamel has been in jewelry making since the 1200s in China and Persia. It was flourishing again during the Art Nouveau era and had its comeback in the 1970s.
Multiple iconic pieces, such as Panthere De Cartier, Webb Kingdom Collection or the VCA pieces from 1920s are still sought after. Today enamel is also widely used in jewelry design.
Enamel is a specifically formulated glass powder or a paste applied to a metal. After the application it gets heated up to 950°C.
Here are some of the most popular enameling techniques in jewelry making:
– Plique-a-Jour
It's the most complicated to execute among enameling techniques. Plique-a-Jour was especially popular among such Art Nouveau artists as Rene Lalique, Louis Comfort Tiffany and Peter Carl Faberge. The name can be translated from French as “to let light in”. The method allows light to go through the piece and make it glow. It's done by applying the enamel powder in between the little metal sections while using the foil to hold it together. After the enamel solidifies, the foil gets removed. This process creates a stained-glass appearance with delicate colors and lights coming from within.
– Cloisonné
Cloisonné – or hard enamel – is done by layering enamel past the metal line. But first the design is stamped into a metal base. Then it gets polished down to the level of the metal. Due to the lengthier process, Cloisonné is considered more durable and higher quality.
– Meenakari
This technique begins with the design being engraved onto the metal. Then the enamel is filling the etchings. To achieve a vibrant color that meenakari jewelry is famous for, the piece is polished with organic acids. A layer of the transparent enamel finalizes the process.
We have a great selection of enamel jewelry online, or you can see it in person while visiting our store in Beverly Hills.
About Van Cleef & Arpels Brand
Van Cleef & Arpels, a prestigious French luxury jewelry and watchmaking maison, opened their first boutique in 1906. Ever since, the brand's jewelry has been worn and beloved by celebrities and royalty.
Founded by a daughter of a precious stone dealer and a son of a stone cutter, Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef, the brand was meant to be big the jewelry world. Press used to call the power couple union “The Maison based on love.”
Before Art Deco was pronounced as a style, VCA brand was known for their skillfully made, bold geometric pieces. Later, during the century, the maker mastered this design approach to the top-notch jewelry level. The experimental spirit, fearless usage of the exotic materials and truly unique gemstone combinations brought Van Cleef & Arpels to the top three of the jewelry worlds.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Van Cleef & Arpels’ philosophy is applying storytelling and thematic elements to their design. Many of the VCA collections draw inspiration from fairy tales and exotic locales, infusing each piece with a narrative. The brand's Alhambra collection, for instance, features the iconic quatrefoil motif inspired by the four-leaf clover, symbolizing luck, health, fortune, and love. This mix of artistic expression and meaningful storytelling adds a unique depth to their designs, making Van Cleef & Arpels’ creations wearable works of art that resonate on an emotional level.
In order to make this prestigious jewelry affordable not only for a prestige clientele, Nadine Krakov Collection offers a wide selection of estate Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry without the high markups.
Shop for our Van Cleef & Arpels ring collection, Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and VCA earrings.
