Cold enamelling

[Wrigglesmore]

Hi Geti :) Great to find an active forum about UK jewellery.

Thanks Jason for the tripoli/rouge advice, I was worried that the compounds would do more damage than good! I'll definitely try that out!

I've also got a few more questions. I'm hoping to cold enamel some very fine engraved words/lines. The thickness is almost like fancy typed font in bold. Would the enamel fill the engraving easily? Would you apply it with a syringe or a very fine brush? And how deep should the engraving be? I was thinking possibly 0.5mm deep? The reason I'm doing this rather than say oxidising is because I want to get my piece gold plated and oxidisation obviously.. doesn't work with gold! Plus you get a field of colours :).

Also! I'm hoping to do my enamelling in solid opaque colours. Will this show up vibrantly in such fine small areas? Ahhh I should just really go ahead and try it out! It's just that if I get all this engraving done and none of it turns out the way it is I'd be a little devestated.. :(

Thanks so much :)

[geti]

Hi Wriggles,

My only experience of cold enamelling was exactly as you require. It was lettering that we laser engraved to a depth of 0.5mm and then I believe the enameller did use a brush to get it in. I imagine you could apply it using a needle as well maybe, but that could be total crap so don't take any notice of me. :-)

[SilverSnog]

Hi wiggly

so now the question becomes, can you plate something that has been cold enamelled? I would expect that, electrically, it will be fine, so it depends what is used to prep the metal (silver?) before plating I suppose. Just need to make sure you/they don't use anything that will take the finish off the enamel.

One thing is for sure - you won't be able to plate it, then lay in enamel and cut it back as you talked about earlier - not without removing the gold plate, anyhow

[JasonJohn]

I would get it plated and then enamel. You will be fine with a small brush in tiny grooves. Just make sure you have a damp cloth to rub the surface to remove any excess that has spilled over and out of the engravings.

[Wrigglesmore]

Ah thanks so much for the advice :), I also heard that it is best to polish at a lower speed because the resin could get scorched and even pop out!

Ah! So many problems with plating.. I'm going to give the platers a call and find out what they can and can't do.. Hmmm.. *scratchs head*

[tinker]

I was told to use Vonax to polish resin, but to wet it. It's a bit of a faff to be honest but I do get a nice finish as long as I don't ramp up the speed too much. Has anyone else tried it? Would be interested in comparisons!