Metal: 18k Gold

Size: Approx. 15mm in diameter

Chain: 14K gold curblink chain. Italian. 16” in length.

What You Should Know: The baddest pendant out there. Re-imagined from a pair of Plique-à-Jour components and set on a 16” 14k gold curb chain.

Enamel is such a cool substance. It has long been matched with gold to create jewelry, with a modern popularity peak during the Art Nouveau era. It’s so versatile that it even popped up in consumer objects such as bathtubs and refrigerators starting in the 19th century. While there are several ways to apply enamel, this sweet piece uses the plique-a-jour method, which goes back to at least the 6th century. This means that the enamel is contained within metal walls but, unlike the more popular cloisonne technique, it does not have a metal back. This ensures that light can shine through the enamel, creating a beautiful optical effect much like stained glass.

The technique is time consuming and challenging to master. As a result, it has historically been reserved for those from the highest echelons of society, from czars to popes. Despite advances in technology, the process is still a delicate one today and the transfer of this skill from one generation of jewelers to the next has begun to peter out. As a result, plique-a-jour is mostly done by fine jewelry houses today, such as Tiffany’s.

The rarity of well-executed plique-a-jour is one reason this pendant is so special. Resting on a 16 inch Italian curb chain, this gorgeous treasure just fills us with such joy!