Amethyst Oval Silver Bracelet

• Mongolian style filigree and enameled jewelry is handmade with a Russian and Chinese influence from the past 1000 year period of history
  
  
• The jewelry was made for the Mongolians originally and then filtered into what is now china. Eventually it was made during the 1700's for the Qing (pronounced Ching) Dynasty, only for the Empresses and its manufacturing was very limited.
  
  
• The technique utilized is similar to that used to make the original Fabergé Eggs, which were made of Gold, Silver and Precious Stones. These pieces are Sterling Silver with semi-precious stones and some are 24Kt Gold Plated.
  
  
• The filigree work is hand fashioned with tweezers and the Sterling Silver wires are shaped into flowers, butterflies and other subjects. These completed compositions are fired in a kiln to approximately 1700F, to be fused together with silver dust. This creates the body of the piece to which the enamel colors and stones are added.
  
  
• The outlined designs are then filled with a very fine ground enamel powder. The colors are blended to create special effects and the pieces is once again subjected to the kiln at a temperature of 1500F for brief flashes of time. This turns the enamel into glass with a high gloss finish with permanent beauty. This is a testament to the ability of the craftsmen since the silver body could melt down and all the filigree work be lost.
  
  
• The last step is to set the stones and to 24kt gold plate or antique the piece. Barbara uses many unusual stones such as Chrysocolla, Rhodocrosite, Chrysoprase, Water Sapphires, Black Star of India as well as semi-precious stones such as Garnets, Lapis, Amethyst, Madeira Citrine, Onyx and Turquoise.
  
  
• Each artist has been extensively trained in the basic techniques and over time they become considered master craftsmen. Because the filigree and enameling skills are totally different abilities, an artist is trained in only one or the other. As a result some items require two artisans to complete a single piece.