2020-05-01_Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist

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“W

HY WOULD YOU

waste your silver

by putting enamel

on it?” I’m often asked this, and

the answer is simple: silver just

makes enamel glow in a way that

copper cannot. To illustrate this

idea, I designed a project that would

highlight both silver and enamel

in an elemental way. By keeping it

simple, I fi nd that one component

does not distract from the other and

instead that each works in harmony

to enhance the other.

The process for this project is

straightforward torch fi red enameling.

If you have a kiln, that would also

work well. However, where this project

deviates from most enameling proj-

ects is in the connections. First, the

smaller washer is attached by fusing

the disc to the enamel. To ensure that

it is fused properly, fi re a little longer.

This long fi re will also ensure that the

fi re scale will be “burned” out from

under the enamel, revealing a truer

enamel color. You may fi nd kiln fi ring

to be advantageous because of the

even heat source. The second connec-

tion — the bail/tube on the back — is

attached using an extra easy solder to

prevent any damage that may happen

to the enamel while fi ring.

And by the way, if I could aff ord

to work in gold, I would not hesitate

to use gold on enamel, either. Some

of the most beautiful examples of

traditional enamel work were made

in gold.

PREP THE METAL

1-1a

Using a disc cutter, punch

a hole ¼" in your 1" disc.

The hole may be off set or in the

center depending on your design

aesthetic.

Repeat for the ½" disc with the same

size hole.

A simple form designed to show off both materials

By Kieu Pham Gray

Radiant

1 1a

2

Silver Enamel

2

Dap both pieces by placing

each into a well large enough

for the disc, and with a steel dap

forge the cut disc to create a

concave form.

Optional: sand the edge of the

both discs flat using 400 grit sand-

paper to create a silver rim accent.

Clean the discs by gently heating

them to remove any residue, then

pickle to remove any fi re scale.

50 LAPIDARY JOURNAL JEWELRY ARTIST

50 Gray_RadiantSilverEnamel_mayjune20.indd 50 3/16/20 3:46 PM