What Is Enamel Jewellery? A Complete Guide

If you have been reaching for colour in your jewellery collection lately, you are in good company. Enamel jewellery in the UK has had a real moment in recent years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Whether it is a flash of cobalt on your wrist or a pretty pop of turquoise at your neckline, enamel pieces have a way of lifting an entire outfit. But what exactly is enamel jewellery, and why has it become such a wardrobe staple? Let us take you through everything you need to know.

What Is Enamel Jewellery?

Put simply, enamel is a powdered glass that is fused to a metal surface at high temperatures, creating a smooth, glassy finish in virtually any colour you can imagine. The technique has been used for thousands of years, from ancient Egyptian amulets to Byzantine gold work, but today it sits beautifully in a modern, contemporary wardrobe. The result is a piece that combines the durability of metal with a vivid, painterly quality that no gemstone can quite replicate.

Types of Enamel Used in Jewellery

Understanding the different techniques helps you appreciate the craftsmanship behind each piece. Here is a quick overview:

Why Enamel Jewellery is Having a Moment?

Colour is having a serious turn in jewellery right now, and enamel is the perfect vehicle for it. Unlike painted finishes, properly applied enamel is fired at high heat, making it scratch-resistant and long-lasting. It pairs brilliantly with sterling silver and gold vermeil, which is why you will find it threading through so many contemporary collections. It works as an everyday accent, a stacking piece, or a standalone statement, depending on how you style it.

Here at Flutterby, we have loved enamel pieces in the UK for years, and our customers' enthusiasm never wavers. The colour, the craft, the joy of it, all of it resonates.

Shop the Flutterby Enamel Collection

We have always believed that colour should be easy to wear, and our enamel collection is built around exactly that idea. These are pieces that slot into your existing stack without demanding attention, but somehow always end up being the thing people ask about. Here is a closer look at some of our favourites, and why they work so well.

• The Blue Enamel Necklace is the one that keeps selling out, and it makes complete sense when you wear it. Blue is the colour that works with almost everything in your wardrobe, and this particular shade hits that sweet spot between bold and wearable. 

One customer put it simply: “Such a fun pop of colour to add to my necklace stack – love it!” Amelia agreed: “Love this blue – really easy to wear.” That word ‘easy’ is doing a lot of work there, because easy is exactly what you want from a necklace you are going to reach for constantly.

• If you like the idea of turquoise but want something a little more understated, we have two necklaces worth looking at side by side. The Silver Light Turquoise Enamel Necklace is the softer, more delicate option, with a subtle turquoise enamel necklace bead detail that layers beautifully without competing with other pieces. 

Then there is the Silver Dark Turquoise Enamel Necklace, which has a bit more depth to it. Think of the light version as your daytime layer and the dark as the one you reach for when you want a stronger, moodier tone. Both are adjustable between 40cm and 45cm, which matters more than people realise because the right length completely changes how a necklace sits.

• On the wrist, the Enamel Bracelet is the one that tends to multiply. It comes in four colours, and once you have one on your arm, you will almost certainly come back for another shade. We hand make these here in the UK, and the combination of gold fill with the enamel colour is what makes them feel special rather than costume. 
• For your ears, the Blue and Silver Huggies are a perennial bestseller. They work in a first or second piercing, and they are the kind of earring that makes an ear stack feel finished rather than like it is still being assembled. Small, considered, and with that lovely enamel bracelet‐and‐necklace energy on a smaller scale. 

Browse the full enamel jewellery collection to see everything we have available across all categories.

How to Style Enamel Jewellery?

One of the things we love most about enamel is how easily it layers. A few ideas to get you started:

• Stack an enamel necklace with a delicate gold chain for a laid-back, modern layered look.
• Wear enamel huggie earrings in a second piercing alongside a classic silver hoop in the first for an effortless ear stack.
• Layer two or three enamel bracelets in complementary shades for a playful arm candy moment.
• Use a single bold enamel piece as your colour anchor and keep everything else more neutral.

Enamel Jewellery as a Gift

Looking for a present that feels personal and a little bit joyful? Enamel jewellery in the UK makes a wonderful gift for friends, sisters, mums, goddaughters, and teenagers alike. Our enamel pieces are among our most popular gift choices for birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Christmas. And because colour is such a personal thing, we offer a free personalised gift wrapping service with a handwritten note, and we can send your gift directly to the recipient on your behalf. No extra faff, all the joy.

New to Flutterby? Sign up for 10% off your first order and let us help you find your perfect enamel piece.

How to Care for Your Enamel Jewellery

Enamel is durable, but a little care goes a long way. Here are some simple tips:

• Store your enamel pieces in a soft pouch or box away from other jewellery to avoid surface scratches. All Flutterby jewellery arrives in a branded anti-tarnish pouch, packaged in a gift box.
• Clean gently with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid abrasive materials or harsh chemicals.
• Remove enamel jewellery before swimming or showering where possible, as prolonged water exposure can dull the finish over time.
• Avoid dropping enamel pieces on hard surfaces, as the glass-like finish can chip if knocked sharply.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can enamel jewellery get wet?

It is best to remove enamel jewellery before swimming or showering. Occasionally getting it wet is generally fine, but prolonged water exposure can affect the finish and the metal beneath over time.

2. Is enamel jewellery hypoallergenic?

Enamel itself is nonreactive and generally well tolerated. The key is the base metal so check whether the piece you're considering is made of gold plated silver, sterling silver or gold fill which contains base metal to help you decide which piece is right for you.

3. What are the different types of enamel used in jewellery?

The main types are cloisonné, champlevé, vitreous (cold) enamel, and plique-à-jour. Each uses a different method to apply glass to metal, resulting in varied textures, colours, and levels of intricacy.

4. Is enamel jewellery suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes, provided the base metal is high quality and depending on your own skin’s sensitivity Sterling silver and gold plated silver enamel pieces, like some of those in the Flutterby collection, are often a good choice for those who find costume jewellery irritating to wear. Those who can’t tolerate base metal are best advised not to choose gold fill enamel jewellery.

Ready to add a little colour to your collection? Browse our full enamel jewellery range at Flutterby and find your new favourite piece.