Lacquer in jewelry

Applying lacquer to a piece of jewelry is a delicate process that requires special expertise and know-how. Here are the general steps for applying lacquer to jewelry:

• Surface preparation : Before applying the lacquer, we carefully prepare the surface of the jewel. This involves cleaning the surface to remove dirt, dust or residues of other materials.
• Choice of lacquer : Lacquers are available in a variety of colors and finishes, from matte to gloss. 
• Lacquer application : The lacquer is applied with a syringe, ensuring even coverage of the jewel's surface. Occasionally, color variations may occur once the jewelry has been fired. After more than 6 months of in-depth research, our artisan Emma has determined that it's crucial to apply a first coat of lacquer flush with the metal, followed by a second dome-shaped coat. This method aims to compensate for the loss of lacquer, estimated at 1.2% during the firing process, by anticipating this reduction in material with an extra thickness.
• Cooking : Once the lacquer has been applied, the jewel undergoes a drying process that involves firing in a pressurized glycerine bath for 1 hour. This is when the lacquer decreases by 1.2%.
• Finish : Once the lacquer is fully baked, the jewel can be reworked in the jewelry store, making the work of the polishers easier. Finally, the jewel is polished to obtain its full brilliance. It's important to note that polishing is a delicate stage, as the density of lacquer is higher than that of gold. So, when polishing, there is a risk of losing more gold than lacquer, which can create a gap if the lacquer is applied flush with the metal.