What is Damascene jewelry?
Damascene jewelry is generally from inlaying oxidized steel with gold or silver, creating intricate
designs that resemble tapestry patterns.
The style’s English name was likely inspiring from its similarity to patterns found in damask silk,
whose name has its roots in the city of Damascus, Syria.
In fact, many speculate the technique used to create damascene pieces originated in the Middle East
and spread to other regions via Muslim artisans as early as the 8th century.
To this day, high-quality damascene items are handcrafted, first by using a stylus to score a design into a
flattened piece of steel.
Thin segments of gold or silver wire are then working it into this chased void, creating a sharp edge
between the steel and its inlaid patterns.
Afterward, making the steel dark, or “blue,” under high heat, etching the gold or silver areas with
additional surface details, and burnishing the entire piece.
Most damascened jewellery is ultimately mounted into a gold or silver setting, but the damascene
technique is also common on cigarette cases, folding knives, and decorative plates.
And during the 20th century, people typically created damascene jewelry in Spain and Japan,
which is also where most faux pieces originated.
Sometimes called “Toledoware,” these cheap knockoffs are often made from tin colored with black
enamel paint to imitate oxidation, and include raised designs painted in white and other colors.
– From Collectors Weekly
How to clean Damascene jewellery?
Use a clean dump cloth or chamois and rub gentelly.
Also, you may add a drop of mild dish detergent to the water to remove dirt.
Jewelry cleaning clothes also work very well for cleaning and preserving Damasquino.
Lastly, be sure to dry the pieces thoroughly and don’t use any abrasive cleaner, as they will damage your them.
Once clean, you may also use a jewelry polish cloth to restore its luster.
In addition to cleaning, the other component of keeping your damascene jewelry beautiful is keeping it away from moisture.
It’s best to store jewelry pieces in individual jewelry bags to protect them.