Niello has been used by nearly every culture with a tradition of decorative metal work over the past 3,500 years; however, it is mostly forgotten by modern jewelers except in a few places in Thailand and Russia. This paper will detail the history and technique of niello and showcase both historic and modern examples. An emphasis will be placed on using niello to create high-contrast designs and safely producing quality niello in a modern shop, as well as application and finishing techniques. Effective uses, limitations, and sources of inspiration will be discussed.

Author: Christopher Manning