Can you tell us what cloisonne means? How rare or precious is this type of Piece?
The term “cloisonne” means “cell(s)” in French. Thin metal wires separate “cells” of colorful enamel and create a design on metal. The majority of my cloisonne pieces are fired over fine silver, but some are also made with copper. I am personally drawn to fine silver because the glass is so brilliant over fine silver. Copper will not produce quite the same brilliance. I use fine silver, which is 999 silver, because sterling silver, which is 925 silver, will turn black or melt in a kiln. I am unaware of other cloisonne artists who create and design their jewelry in a style similar to mine. I pride myself on being unique in my style of cloisonne. Many enamelists steer away from cloisonne because it is such a labor-intensive process. And most cloisonne artists use gold and other precious metals to create very high-end pieces. Each piece takes from three to seven hours to complete. I find the cloisonne process relaxing and very rewarding. I have always loved color, and the ability to combi
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