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Published at 27th Apr 2018
Modified at 2nd Aug 2023
What Is Filigree Jewelry? — Filigree Definition
Are you a true aficionado of unique, eye-catching jewelry? If yes, you’ve probably felt like your necklace or bracelet is exclusively yours — it’s been made just for you! There are some outstanding jewelry pieces out there, but Filigree is a type of jewelry that truly stands out from the crowd; it’s incredibly unique and beautifully designed. Let’s take a closer look at what this style of jewelry is and how it is made.
So What Exactly is Filigree?
Filigree jewelry is a unique piece that incorporates handcrafted twisted threads of precious metal into its design. The metal is then soldered to the Gold or Silver jewelry and can take the shape of lacy flourishes, beautiful scroll work, symmetrical Art Deco style designs, among other astonishing motifs. It’s good to point out that Filigree can also be used to describe any pattern in jewelry that can be seen as delicate and sophisticated.
History of Filigree Jewelry
Filigree is an incredibly old art form which has a rich history in jewelry design and beyond. It has been featured on other things like trophies, bowls and buttons incorporating Filigree patterns for decoration. Filigree jewelry was discovered and unearthed in the ancient Mesopotamia area and this was about 5000 years ago. Filigree was also popular during Roman times, extending throughout the empire.
Moving forward, jewelry designers started creating ornamental pieces with complex design, drawing inspiration from ancient Filigree art and lace designs. If you ever have doubt about the design skills of ancient artisans, we recommend you head to the British Museum and bask in the beauty of Filigree designs from the 6th to 3rd century BC.
How To Make Filigree — The Jeweler’s Perspective
It starts by stretching out the metal until it makes a very fine thread. The jeweler then takes a small piece and twists and bends the metal into a shape that tickles their fancy. It’s also good to know that the jeweler may choose to connect many pieces together or even add small beads into the mix. Finally, they will use a blow torch to solder the threads together to create the beautiful jewelry piece.
That’s a quick run down about Filigree jewelry and the tiresome work that goes into creating such beautiful pieces of jewelry, we hope you enjoyed it!
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