✦ Haute JoaillerieUpdated: September 2, 2026
Vitreous Glass Enameling: Plique-à-Jour Stained Glass Openwork vs. Champlevé Recessed Fusing
Authored by Italian Goldsmithing & Metallurgical Review Board
The master art of fire-fused silica enamel: Art Nouveau plique-à-jour backless enamel (René Lalique), champlevé cell carving, and kiln temperatures at 820°C.
Vitreous enameling fuses pulverized glass powders with mineral oxides onto precious metal armatures at high temperatures (780°C – 850°C).
1. Classical Enameling Techniques
| Technique | Metal Framework | Visual Effect | Master Historical Artisans |
|---|
| Plique-à-Jour | Openwork gold wire / saw-pierced cells with NO backing | Translucent stained-glass window effect | René Lalique, Henri Vever |
| Champlevé | Carved or etched troughs in solid gold base | Opaque color fields surrounded by polished metal ridges | Limoges medieval enamellers |
| Cloisonné | Flat gold ribbons bent and soldered onto metal base | Intricate multi-color geometric patterns | Byzantine & Imperial Chinese masters |
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Italian Goldsmithing & Metallurgical Review Board
Our technical panel oversees Italian alloy standards (D.Lgs. 251/1999), 18K solid gold tensile durability, Florentine hand engraving, and Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) supply chains.
Planning a Bespoke 18K Gold Commission?
Consult our master goldsmiths for CAD modeling, stone allocation, and Florentine texture finishes.