[Jewelry making - Article 00400] - Re: [Orchid] Ultra violet set enamels

[Ornamental Creations]

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Hello K. David W. & All in this discussion thread, : )

    Well this has opened up the discussion of the correct use of the
    term "enamel" over the marketing driven misused of the term for
    resin, epoxy, polymer, & compost products" again hasn't it? <big
    grin> 

>     Anytime I've talked about it to other jeweller's I've described it
>     as a low temperature curing, hard enamel. 

    Well really I wouldn't call it a "hard enamel" it's not. A hard
    enamel is a "vitreous glass enamel" that is hard firing and is fired
    in a kiln at between aprox. 1300 degrees F. to 1550 degrees F. 

    The "low temperature curing" part is correct, but it is a
    "low-temperature-curing Resin" which after being subjected to low
    temperature has a fairly tough or hard surface. Or perhaps if you are
    speaking of a different product it may be... a "photosensitive
    curing ceramic-reinforced composite material" which after being
    exposed to a light ends up having a fairly hard or tough surface. 

    I would not suggest that the word "Enamel" be used in regard to the
    "Color System" products being marketed to the jewelry field these
    days. They are purposely trying to market these products under the
    image of a very different material & process. One that has been
    around for centuries, and has come to hold a certain position of
    respect as a fine craft, for the degree of precision, technical
    requirement, & difficulty there is to the process. 

    Also "Vitreous Glass Enamel" has vastly different properties to any
    of the other non vitreous "Resin" or "Composite Color System"
    products. ( Would you call an apple -- a fish? Or a piece of plastic
    -- a piece of metal? : ) That is how very different these materials
    are from each other! 

    I suggest that when talking about epoxies, resins, photosensitive
    cured ceramic-reinforced composite material, or
    low-temperature-curing resin, ( which are often liquid two-part
    systems, catalyst and color that are mixed together, then heated or
    baked at low temperatures,) it would be best to describe the
    material or product with the appropriate material terms. Instead of
    just calling it something it's not. 

    For example when talking about a "low-temperature-curing resin" I
    believe it should be called a "Low-Temperature-Curing-Resin" When
    talking about a "Photosensitive Curing Ceramic-Reinforced Composite
    Material" then call it that! Or call it by it's product name.... but
    don't call it another material or product. Don't call it
    Enamel/Glass On Metal, it's not. 

    There are many color system products available which become "cured"
    in a variety of ways. Products & materials like... Cororit, Ceramit,
    Durenamel. And other types of color systems like, Colores Epoxy
    Resin, Resins, and Epoxies, none of which are enamels. 

    I find it odd, and really a bit frustrating that some people, and
    sometimes even the manufacturers of these type of materials, want to
    call these materials inaccurate names. Or at least compare them to,
    blur the image of, and confuse their properties with "Enamels." It
    only serves to create confusion for craftsmen simply trying to find
    & use products that will best suit their needs. I have no problem
    with these produces, they are useful for many processes. I only find
    the confused use of the term "Enamels" for them frustrating. We don't
    want to call silver -- gold, or a Nissan a BMW...  Why would anyone
    want to call a resin,-- glass enamel? 

>        and for those who are traditionalists in the enamel field, how
>     do you suggest such a product be described so as not to insult
>     those that engage in traditional enamelling methods? 

    Good question David! It isn't really quite a case of traditional
    enamelling verses a modern "enamel" technique... these products in
    question really aren't "Enamels." Not in a traditional sense, and
    not in a modern sense, they are not the "New Enamels" they are
    different materials entirely. 

    Without distinction in terms to specify separate things, we would
    call everything a "thingy-ma-bob." <g> There would be no distinct
    names for plants and animals, it's would be... a "gray animal" no
    matter if it were a whale or an elephant...salt & fresh water would
    just be called "water" & when you asked for a glass of it you might
    get a surprise... <g> 

    I see that there have been many posts on this subject in the past,
    mine included, : ) I hope that eventually people will be able to
    easily find information on which ever product that they wish to use,
    and use a term for it which best describes it's properties. 

With Very Best Regards To All!
Sharon Scalise
Ornamental Creations
sscalise AT tampabay.rr.com
http://users.netconnect.com.au/~sscalise/


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