Enamelling is one of the most creative and rewarding techniques in jewellery making. By fusing powdered glass to metal, jewellers can produce vibrant surfaces with colour, depth, and texture. While many brands exist, one name has become a global standard: Thompson Enamels.
Known for consistency, reliability, and versatility, Thompson products are used by professional enamellists, hobbyists, and students alike. Let's take a closer look at what makes Thompson enamels special, the different ranges available, and how you can use them successfully in your workshop.
What Are Thompson Enamels?
Thompson produce vitreous (glass-based) enamels designed for use on metals. The most common grain size is 80 mesh - about the texture of fine sugar - which makes it easy to sift or wet-pack onto metal surfaces. When fired at around 760–815°C (1400–1500°F), the enamel fuses to the surface, creating a smooth, glassy coating. The brand is widely respected for its colour accuracy: every batch is tested so you can achieve predictable results time after time.
Transparent, Opaque, and Special Effects
One of the main decisions when buying enamels is whether to choose transparent or opaque powders.
- Transparent enamels allow the underlying metal texture or engraving to show through. They’re excellent for techniques such as guilloche or champlevé, where light and depth are part of the design.
- Opaque enamels provide solid colour coverage, ideal for bold, graphic pieces or base layers.
- Specialist enamels include crackle finishes, opalescent, and sparkling glass inclusions. These open up creative options and are particularly popular for artists exploring experimental techniques.
Tools to Support Enamelling
Alongside powders, Thompson also produce specialist tools to make the process easier:
- Sifters for even powder application
- Holding agents to help with wet-packing
- Firing racks and trivets for stable firing in a kiln
- Forks and tripods for torch and kiln firing
Kiln vs. Torch Firing
One of the key decisions for beginners is whether to fire with a torch or a kiln.
Torch firing is inexpensive and portable, making it great for small pieces or students. The piece is placed on a trivet over a mesh, and the flame is applied from beneath until the surface becomes glassy.
Kiln firing provides precision and consistency. You can set the temperature, place multiple pieces at once, and achieve very even finishes.
Both methods are compatible with Thompson enamels, so your choice will depend on budget and project scale.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Orange peel texture: enamel under-fired - return to the heat for longer.
- Burnt edges or discolouration: over-fired - reduce temperature or time.
- Poor adhesion: ensure metal is properly cleaned before application.
- Uneven surface: apply enamel in thinner, even coats and fire between layers.
Why Choose Thompson?
For over a century, Thompson Enamel has been trusted by jewellers worldwide. Their products are consistent, reliable, and widely documented, making it easy to find tutorials and technical advice. Whether you’re producing delicate cloisonné pendants, bold contemporary pieces, or experimenting with new textures, Thompson powders give you the confidence to explore your ideas.