Enamel bracelets: the art behind them and how to wear colourful jewelry

In this guide

This guide uses the Dunhuang Culture Enamel Bracelet from our shop as its example. Everything said about the piece itself comes from its listing.

What enamel jewelry is, the art traditions that inspire it, and how to wear a colourful enamel bracelet.

What enamel is

Enamel is powdered glass fused onto metal, giving bright, lasting colour that paint can't match. It has been used in jewellery for thousands of years, from ancient Egyptian and Byzantine pieces to Fabergé eggs and Art Nouveau brooches. Today enamel lets designers bring painted patterns, rich colour and fine detail to everyday jewellery.

Art-inspired designs

Many enamel pieces borrow from historic art. Dunhuang, an oasis town on the ancient Silk Road, is famous for the Mogao Caves, hundreds of Buddhist cave temples painted over a thousand years with flying figures, flowers and rich mineral colours. Jewellery inspired by Dunhuang takes those ochres, turquoises and deep reds and their flowing patterns and turns them into something you can wear.

How to wear colourful jewellery

Let the enamel piece be the one colourful thing you wear and keep everything else simple: a plain chain, small studs, a watch with a plain strap. Neutral clothes, black, white, cream, navy or denim, make the colours stand out. If you love colour, pick out one shade from the bracelet and repeat it in a scarf or top.

Caring for enamel

Enamel is glass, so it is hard but can chip if knocked against a hard surface. Take it off for sport and heavy work, wipe it with a soft cloth, and store it in its own pouch so other jewellery doesn't scratch it.

About the Dunhuang Culture Enamel Bracelet

The Dunhuang Culture Enamel Bracelet is a bracelet with enamel colour work. It adds a little shine at the wrist, on its own or with what you already wear.

• Design: enamel colour work.
• Material: Copper.
• What arrives: One bracelet.

See the Dunhuang Culture Enamel Bracelet →

Styling any bracelet like this

Bracelets show most with sleeves pushed up or rolled back. Wear one alone for a clean look, or build a small stack in one metal with a mix of textures. Many people keep bracelets on the wrist without a watch, so nothing scratches.

For a stack, mix one bolder piece with one or two finer ones, and keep the total to three or four so they move freely. On the office keyboard, quieter, closer-fitting pieces are more comfortable; save charms and beads that clink for the weekend.

Choosing a bracelet that suits you

When choosing a bracelet, look at how it fastens and how adjustable it is. Bracelets that adjust or open, such as cuffs, braided bands and slider clasps, fit the widest range of wrists, which makes them safer gifts.

What to wear it with

Pieces from the shop in the same tone that complete the look: - Geometric Dangle Wear Hoop Earrings: earrings, $21.00. - Pearl Zircon Necklace & Earrings Set: set, $20.00. - Love Vintage Shell Pendant Necklace: necklace, $18.00.

Wearing it all year

Through the year: summer is bracelet season, with bare wrists and short sleeves. In winter, wear bracelets over a fitted sleeve or push your sleeves up to the elbow indoors, and choose slimmer pieces that slide under a coat cuff.

Caring for copper and enamel

Copper can darken with time and moisture, and enamel can chip if knocked. Keep the piece dry, take it off for sport and washing, wipe it with a soft cloth and store it in its own pouch. The listing adds: Take it off before washing your hands or showering, wipe with a soft dry cloth and store it on its own.

As a gift

A bracelet is an easy gift that gets worn every day. Check the delivery dates on the product page before you order if you are buying for a date, and add a short handwritten note: it turns a pretty piece into a message.

Buying from Liravelle

The product page lists what the piece is made of, what arrives and the delivery dates before you order, and the confirmation email repeats them. Free US delivery over $50. 30-day returns. Tracked delivery.