Introducing our Sterling Silver and Cloisonne Enamel Seaweed-inspired earrings. Delicately hand-crafted, these earrings are an ode to the beauty of the underwater world and Ireland's luscious native kelp forests. The Cloisonne enamel work is a pop of vibrant colour, mimicking the mesmerizing hues of the Atlantic Ocean.
 
Handmade, right down to the earring hooks, from 100% recycled Sterling silver and high quality Japanese powdered enamels, these earrings are a fusion of artistry and craftsmanship.
 
Elegant yet simple, they will elevate any outfit, whether for a casual day or a special occasion. These earrings are versatile and timeless. Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects with colored material held in place or separated by metal strips or wire, normally of silver or gold. In recent centuries, vitreous enamel has been used, but inlays of cut gemstones, glass, and other materials were also used during older periods. 
 
The earliest examples of Cloisonne can be found it ancient Mesopotamia. Indeed cloisonné enamel very probably began as an imitation of cloisonné work using gems. The decoration is formed by first adding compartments (cloisons in French) to the metal object by soldering or affixing silver or gold as wires or thin strips placed on their edges.
 
These remain visible in the finished piece, separating the different compartments of the enamel or inlays, which are often of several colors. Cloisonné enamel objects are worked on with enamel powder made into a paste, which then needs to be fired in a kiln.
 
The powdered glass is built up in layers, and often pieces require many firings to obtain depth of colour and shade. The surface of the enamel is finely ground, sanded, and polished to acquire a brilliant finish.