A friend recently purchased a commercially made enamel/gold ring
from a well known jewelry line. Jeweler details on the product notes
a difference between ‘French’ and ‘Italian’ enamel, as to the
durability of each; stating they currently use ‘Italian’ enamels.
What is the difference between the two, is it essentially where the
source enamel is made from or is it a process? Curious, M. Greene
Usually the name of the country indicates that the enamel used was
made in that country. It is a short cut many enamelists use in
referring to their enamels—e.g. When I tell a fellow enamelist
that I am using English enamels they know that I am referring to
Enamels made by the English company Matthy Johnson Similarly,
Japanese enamels refers to Niyomaya (spelling?), a brand of enamel
made in Japan., and the French enamels have a long name which escapes
me at this time. However, I am unfamiliar with Italian enamels, nor
am I aware of any company in Italy which is producing them. I would
be interested in learning more about them.
Regarding durability, all enamels should have pretty much the same
durability., A word of caution. Some so called “enamels” are not
high fired vitreous enamels, but are synthetic,and are made of
resins, or epoxy mixes. I have no problem with anyone using these,
but the buyer should be aware that these sometimes do pose a problem
as far as durability is concerned.