By: Barb H

Inlay jewellery is a beautiful addition to any collection. From elegantly inlay rings featuring shimmering opals to silver bracelets with turquoise, inlay pieces capture the heart and the imagination. However, there are a few things to consider when adding an inlay piece to your jewellery collection.

What is Inlay?

Definition of the Month: Inlay is a jewellery design technique where a custom cut stone is set with glue into an unfilled area of the piece — no prongs. The unfilled area matches the same size/dimension of the stone so when the stone is placed, it’s level with the surface material of the piece. It can be an intricate design process that requires a skilled jeweller and stone cutter.

Potential Downsides to Wearing Inlay Jewellery

While inlay pieces look stylish and beautiful, there are a few downsides to wearing jewellery designed and crafted in this manner.

The stones are more susceptible to damage like chips and cracks because there are no prongs or other material for protection.
It’s easier to lose a stone from inlay than if it’s held by a prong setting. Remember the stone is held in by glue, nothing actually is gripping it.
Inlay rings can be more difficult to resize because of how the stones are set into the gold or silver.

Yes, there are a few downsides to wearing a piece of inlay jewellery. However, this style offers a huge range of design flexibility for a jewellery artisan. A jeweller can create beautifully unique inlay designs that feature everything from onyx to malachite and lapis lazuli.

Interested in learning more about inlay jewellery and how it’s designed? Look to the jewellery professionals at The Den.