Asian Mongolian Jewelry History and Process
Asian Filagree jewelry began in Mongolian about 1000 years ago and was made primarily for the Mongolians. It was later adopted by what is now China and during the Qing Dynasty was only made for the Empresses in 22 KT Gold. The jewelry you will see in the Asian jewelry category is made by women in a Mongolian rural village. The jewelry shows Russian and Chinese influences. The jewelry is designed by an American artist, who works directly with the jewelry artisans. Filagree work dates back to Egypt with the best examples of fine filagree occurring between the 6th and 3rd centuries in the Etruscan and Greek cultures. Filagree jewelry methods traveled the globe and reached their height in the modern Western world during the Art Nouveau and Deco art periods.
The filagree work is accomplished with fine wire that pliable. it is curled, twisted and plaited into shape and patterns. Once the patterns are completed the jewelry is heated to 1700 degrees in a kiln and wires and metal are fused together with silver dust. Particular areas are then filled with finely ground glass enameling powder in various colors, which is heated to 1500 degrees to produce a hard glossy, glass patterned surface areas in the jewelry pieces. Pieces are then finished in one of three methods, left as bright sterling silver, antiqued sterling silver or are plated with 24KT Gold. The 24Kt Gold plating is called vermeil. Jewelry must be sterling silver and the Gold overlay must be at least 2.5 microns thick to be considered true vermeil. Last step, the semi-precious stones are set and the jewelry is finished. Each piece is made by hand so each piece is unique. If you have additional questions please email. I hope you will enjoy these jewelry pieces that preserve the filagree techniques of Monogolia.
The filagree work is accomplished with fine wire that pliable. it is curled, twisted and plaited into shape and patterns. Once the patterns are completed the jewelry is heated to 1700 degrees in a kiln and wires and metal are fused together with silver dust. Particular areas are then filled with finely ground glass enameling powder in various colors, which is heated to 1500 degrees to produce a hard glossy, glass patterned surface areas in the jewelry pieces. Pieces are then finished in one of three methods, left as bright sterling silver, antiqued sterling silver or are plated with 24KT Gold. The 24Kt Gold plating is called vermeil. Jewelry must be sterling silver and the Gold overlay must be at least 2.5 microns thick to be considered true vermeil. Last step, the semi-precious stones are set and the jewelry is finished. Each piece is made by hand so each piece is unique. If you have additional questions please email. I hope you will enjoy these jewelry pieces that preserve the filagree techniques of Monogolia.
