How to Care for Enamel Jewellery: A Complete Guide

Vitreous enamel jewellery is one of the most durable and vibrant forms of wearable art. Unlike painted or resin-coated pieces, vitreous enamel is glass fused to metal at temperatures above 800°C, creating colours that will never fade. That said, a few simple care habits will keep your enamel pieces looking brilliant for decades.

What Makes Vitreous Enamel Special

Vitreous enamel — the type used in all NJewellery enamel pieces — is powdered glass fired onto fine silver. Unlike cold enamel or resin, it bonds permanently with the metal. The result is colour that stays true for centuries, as seen in Byzantine and Art Nouveau jewellery that still looks vivid today.

Because the enamel is glass, it shares some of glass's properties: it is hard, scratch-resistant, and chemically stable, but it can chip if struck sharply against a hard surface.

Daily Wear Tips

Enamel jewellery is designed to be worn and enjoyed, not locked away. Here are a few practical habits that help:

Put your jewellery on last, after applying perfume, sunscreen, or hairspray. These products contain chemicals that can build up on the surface over time. Remove enamel rings before heavy manual work, gardening, or gym sessions — not because the enamel is fragile, but because a sharp knock against metal or stone can cause a chip.

Swimming in chlorinated pools or salt water is generally fine for short periods, but rinse the piece in fresh water afterwards. Prolonged exposure to pool chemicals can dull the silver setting over time.

How to Clean Enamel Jewellery

The best cleaning method is the simplest. Use lukewarm water with a tiny drop of mild dish soap. Gently wipe the enamel surface with a soft cloth or your fingertips, rinse under running water, and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, or abrasive polishing compounds on enamel jewellery. These can damage the glass surface or loosen the bond between enamel and metal. Silver polish should only be used on the exposed silver areas, keeping it away from the enamelled sections.

For the silver parts of your piece, a gentle silver polishing cloth works well. Fine silver (999 silver), which NJewellery uses for all handmade pieces, tarnishes less than sterling silver, so you will find it needs less maintenance.

Storing Your Enamel Pieces

Store each enamel piece separately to prevent scratching. A soft pouch, individual compartment in a jewellery box, or even a small zip-lock bag with a piece of anti-tarnish paper works perfectly. Avoid tossing enamel pieces into a shared jewellery dish where they can knock against harder stones or metal clasps.

Keep your jewellery in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. While vitreous enamel colours are permanent and will not fade in sunlight, excessive heat can stress the bond between glass and metal over many years.

What to Do If Your Enamel Chips

Chips are rare with vitreous enamel, but they can happen from a hard impact. If it does occur, do not try to repair it yourself with glue or nail polish — these will look obvious and may cause further damage. A skilled enameller can often repair chips by re-firing the piece, restoring it to its original condition.

If you have an NJewellery piece that needs attention, get in touch and we will advise on repair options.

The Bottom Line

Vitreous enamel jewellery is one of the most low-maintenance types of fine jewellery you can own. Gentle cleaning, individual storage, and a bit of common sense about knocks and chemicals are all it takes. Treat your enamel pieces with basic care and they will reward you with a lifetime of colour.