How Are Cloisonné Pins Made?
A Cloisonné Lapel Pin is the pinnacle of traditional Chinese handicraft. It is a process that is steeped with tradition dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). A constantly evolving process, many believe that the best Cloisonné was made during the Xuande period (1426-1456) of the Ming dynasty. Later, during the Jingtai period (1426-1456) of the Ming, artisans perfected the dark-blue enamel that gives Cloisonné the beautifully unique appearance that has been cherished for centuries.Get more news about Metal Cloisonne Pins,you can vist our website!
Referring to the customer's design, a copper die is created to imprint your design into the metal complete with ‘Cloisonné' that will eventually be used to hold the color.
A cutting mould is then created to provide an exact outline for the pin design. If a center hole or cut-out is required, an additional cut-through mould is created.
Enamel that is composed of a glass like material combined with metal oxides is mixed into a fine clay like powder. This enamel will faithfully reproduce the customer's selected colors.
Colors are then hand-filled with this unique mixed enamel using small spatula-like instrument. Each color must be fired at 1,600 F for 2-4 minutes before the next color is added. And so the process continues for each of the customer's requested colors: hand-filling, firing, cooling. While this two step process may seem laborious, this in the only way to ensure that the colors do not ‘bleed'.
Next each piece is finally cooled again. The polishing and stoning process begins. A carborundum stone is used to rub any excess enamel color. The pin is now polished and shiny.
The attachment (typically a military clutch) or finding must then be attached to the back of the pin.
The plating process begins. Usually an 18kt gold plating is applied, but depending on the customer's wishes, 24kt gold, silver, brushed nickel, antique gold, silver or brass and many other plating options are available.
Each item is then inspected – not all make the high quality standards. Those pins that meet these highest standards are then individually packed and sent to us.
All pins that arrive in our office receive a final inspection from our support staff. Only those that meet our standards are shipped to you, the customer.
