Eastern Bluebird Brooch

Cloisonne', 18K, 22K and 24K gold, fine and sterling silver, rubies

The enameling is done on fine silver sheet using primarily Japenese and French enamel (granular glass.) The cloisonne' wires are 24K. Firing is done in a small enameling kiln at approximately 1500 degrees F for about 1 minute. Five layers of enamel are applied and fired to achieve the desired thickness. The cloisonne' piece is sanded and shaped on a lapidary wet belt sander to a smooth, uniform surface and 'flash fired' in the kiln to restore the high-gloss finish of the glass. The setting is hand-fabricated from 22K bezel wire, 18K wire, sterling and 18K sheet. The cloisonne' piece and rubies are then bezel-set.

2 1/4" high X 3" wide X 1/4" deep