As you peruse your options while shopping for jewelry, you’ll come across different design techniques and elements, from different styles of ring settings to decorative features such as milgrain or engraving. All of these details can add a certain aesthetic appeal to a piece of jewelry, and you may find that you prefer certain looks to others or that some elements fit your lifestyle best. For example, certain ring settings may be more secure if you are very active, ensuring you don’t accidentally lose a gemstone.
One of these design options is an inlay. If you’re wondering what is inlay in jewelry, it’s a decorative style like milgrain. As it turns out, inlay jewelry is hardly new. Jewelry makers and artisans have long used it to create intricate patterns and designs within the surface of precious metals and similar materials.
What You Will Learn
What Does Inlay Mean in Jewelry?
Inlay is a decorative technique that is exactly what it sounds like. Gemstones and/or other materials are laid into the surface of a piece, whether it’s made of precious metals or another base, such as gold, silver, copper, wood, and more.
With the inlay technique, stones are cut and shaped to fit perfectly within the impression or hole carved from the metal or similar base material, making for a completely flush and even surface.
The inlay process doesn’t only apply to jewelry, either. You can find stunning inlays featured on furniture, décor, art, and other items across history.
The History of Inlay Jewelry
As mentioned, inlay jewelry and inlay art have been popular for centuries. Examples of inlay art and jewelry can be found in ancient cultures across the world, including Ancient Egypt and Greece, North American Indigenous tribes, the Middle East, and beyond.
While various cultures have all used inlay techniques, how they have used them has greatly differed. Crafters would incorporate whatever materials they had on hand locally. In ancient times, inlay techniques were often used to craft royal or religious artifacts. In later centuries, the method spread to furniture as well.
In more contemporary history, inlay jewelry was very popular in the 1960s and 1970s. However, inlay has recently become a trend again, allowing for colorful pieces incorporating rare materials. It’s particularly popular with jewelry collectors seeking something eye-catching and beyond the ordinary.
Inlay Techniques
While creating inlay rings and similar jewelry may sound simple, it does require a great amount of skill.
First, the base material must be carved to fit the desired inlay design. Sometimes, it may be cut to fit a channel of stones of the same size and shape. Other times, the base material may be cut to fit a mosaic pattern, wherein stones or materials of various sizes or shapes are inlaid together.
The materials that are laid in, such as stones, must also be perfectly cut to fit within the design so they lay flush with each other and the base. Sometimes, the jewelry maker may use a specific type of glue to hold everything in place.
After all the pieces come together, the inlay is polished. If it’s crafted correctly, it will be a perfectly uniform piece of jewelry made up of various elements that look as if they were always meant to be together.
Popular Materials Used in Inlay Jewelry
While gemstones and precious metal options like gold and silver are common in contemporary inlay jewelry, this art form also frequently uses more natural materials.
Popular options include:
Some inlay jewelry sets one type of material into another and combines the same types of materials for a unique monochromatic look. For example, some inlay art may feature a lighter wood inlaid within a darker wood.
Should You Buy Inlay Jewelry? Pros & Cons
There are many great reasons to buy inlay jewelry. That said, while there are many good reasons to purchase inlay jewelry, there are also a few reasons why it might not be for you.
Pros
- Inlay jewelry provides security. For example, unlike a ring with a high setting, an inlay ring securely holds your gemstones or similar materials within the band, where they’re much less likely to fall out or be damaged.
- Inlay jewelry is unique. While cultures worldwide have long prized this type of jewelry, it’s not as popular as you might think. As such, an inlay piece will be an eye-catching conversation starter and add diversity to your jewelry collection.
- You can often work with artisans to craft a made-to-order piece of inlay jewelry. Due to the required skill level for inlay jewelry, you may find yourself going to an artisan for this type of jewelry, rather than attempting to find a mass-produced piece. Working one-on-one with an artisan can lead to the creation of a personalized piece.
Cons
- Inlay jewelry can be expensive to repair. While it may not be as susceptible to damage as other jewelry, if it does become damaged, it can be expensive to repair, and you may need to seek out a jeweler with specialized experience to do so.
- Depending on the design, you may be unable to resize an inlay ring. If resizing will make the inlay impossible to replicate, a jeweler may advise you to leave the ring as is.
- Inlay jewelry isn’t always easy to clean. You won’t want to just throw it into an ultrasonic cleaner. You’ll need to take care to only use the gentlest cleaning methods to keep the inlay in perfect condition and get into all the nooks and crannies.
More to Consider Before Buying a Piece of Inlay Jewelry
If you decide to buy a piece of inlay jewelry, you may want to consider a few things before purchasing.
- What materials will best suit your lifestyle? (For example, you might avoid pearls if you want a more durable piece of jewelry.)
- What colors and patterns will best suit your everyday wardrobe?
- What is your budget, and will it allow you to work with an artisan to craft a one-of-a-kind piece?
Inlay Jewelry FAQs
What Does Inlay Mean in Jewelry?
Inlay is a design technique in jewelry that involves creating an indentation within one material and then shaping another material so that it sits flush and securely. This results in intricate patterns and designs that make the piece look one-of-a-kind.
Is Inlay Jewelry Durable?
Yes, inlay jewelry is generally considered very durable, particularly rings without the prong setting, which can sometimes expose a ring’s gemstones to damage.
Can Inlay Rings Be Resized?
In many cases, inlay rings cannot be resized without damaging or changing the overall design.
How Do You Clean Inlay Jewelry?
First, never use a jewelry cleaner. Instead, keep things simple and safe by using only warm water and a soft cloth to gently wipe away any residue.
Is Inlay Jewelry Popular?
Inlay jewelry has existed for centuries and, in modern history, was very popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, it’s seeing a resurgence in popularity as jewelry collectors look for unique, colorful pieces.
Inlay Or Not, Jewelry Insurance Protects All Your Jewelry
If you want to invest in inlay jewelry, you should also invest in comprehensive jewelry insurance. With BriteCo’s coverage, all your jewelry will be protected if and when you need pricey repairs or replacements due to theft, loss, damage, or mysterious disappearance.
Learn more and get a quick quote from BriteCo now.
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