Safed Chalwan is a kind of white translucent enamel used for encrusting gems and precious stones for making jewels.
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This enamel is used at the reverse side of the jewels in order to contrast the color of the gems (usually ruby or jade) with a stark white background.[1]
Technique of enameling
editIn this technique of enameling, an opaque white outlined cartouche is fired and leveled with the stone to be embedded. On cooling down the enamel develops a hard coating around and the stone is set in it.[2]
References
edit- ^ Balakrishnan Ramamrutham, Usha (2001). Jewels of the Nizams. Hyderabad: Dept of Culture, govt. of India. pp. 88, 232. ISBN 9788185832159.
- ^ Untracht, Oppi (1997). Traditional Jewelry of India. The university of Michigan: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. p. 430. ISBN 9780810938861.