Jewellery & Enamelling Workshop
From design to finished piece
The starting point is always a design, which shows every detail of the completed work and the technical choices made: measurements, type of metal, finishes, enamel colours, etc.
The artisan brings the piece to life in a series of stages that respect French jewellery tradition. Each creation is different, so there are many finishes to choose from, such as patination, rhodium plating or enamelling.
Bringing out the beauty of the material
The polisher's skill lies in bringing out the true beauty of a creation, by enhancing the material and working on its final appearance, whether matt or sparkling. The piece is then assembled and, finally, stamped. The jeweller adds hallmarks (standard of fineness, an eagle's head for gold, a Minerva's head for silver) and the manufacturer's mark, a double horn of plenty for Monnaie de Paris. These state-approved punches are made by the Engraving & Tooling Workshops.
The time-honoured technique of grand feu enamelling
Our creations are enamelled using a rare technique known as grand feu enamelling. Another workshop sends the enameller a decoration, piece of jewellery or struck medal with hollow spaces on its surface. Using a dip pen, needle or brush, the enameller fills these hollows with enamel, which they have prepared themselves. The fixing of the variously coloured enamel powders is controlled by short, successive firings at 900 degrees.
"The enamel doesn't take in the same way everywhere; each piece is unique. It really is different each time, and beautiful each time! "
