Scraffito Enamel Earrings

Sgraffito on vitreous enameled copper pierced earrings

1.38 round

.30 oz. weight (approximately the weight of U.S. quarter and one U.S. dime) Sgraffito

The word Sgraffito translates to “scratched” in Italian and according the Encyclopedia Britannica is “a technique used in painting, pottery and glass which consists of putting down a preliminary surface, covering it with another, then scratching the superficial layer in such a way that the pattern or shape that emerges is of the lower color”

Vitreous enamel hand-painted pierced earrings

Vitreous enamel, also called porcelain enamel, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 °C (1,380 and 1,560 °F). The powder melts, flows, and then hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating.

For the enamel to fuse properly to the copper and subsequent layers, there must be a counter enamel on the back of the piece which is also glass. I generally use what is called a clear flux so the copper and elements will be seen since it is transparent. When fired all handmade enamel work can produce random marking which I do enjoy. The copper might appear to glow or be less iridescent.

Vitreous Enamel is simply a thin layer of glass fused at high temperature on to the surface of a metal. … It is thus defined as a vitreous, glass-like coating fused on to a metallic base. In American English it is referred to as Porcelain Enamel. It should not be confused with paint, which is sometimes called ‘enamel’.

Although you can paint with fine powder enamels.

It is glass so they need to be handled with care

You will also notice reflections from lighting for the purpose of photographing with the most natural light possible. It is almost impossible to not pick up some reflection or flare from the fired vitreous enamel. I have color balanced each photo to best represent each piece and it true colors.