The operations of transparent enamelling are nearly similar to what has been already described in enamelling dials As the work is generally of a more minute kind, greater delicacy of handling is perhaps required, and as the enamels are of various colours and descriptions, more cups, vessels, etc, and additional soft cloths or napkins, are needful to keep and apply them. Watch - cases are usually enamelled upon gold, as well as most of the superior articles of jewelry, and the surface of the gold is frequently engraved in different figures and compartments before the enamel is laid on, by which means the work affords a beautiful variegated appearance. In enamelling the back and edges of watch - cases, etc, quince water is frequently used as the medium by which the enamels are laid on; this, possessing a more adhesive and retentive quality than common water, helps to prevent the enamels from flowing from their proper situations, for when the convexity is considerable, the enamel will of course have a tendency to float towards the lowest part.

When enamels of different colours are intended to be employed on the same article, which is frequently the case in ornamental work, small edges or prominent lines are left in the substance of the metal, for the purpose of keeping the enamels separate, and these are polished with the enamel, and reduced with it to a similar equality of surface. Transparent enamels are not unfrequently polished to complete glossiness without exposing them to an additional fire. In these cases the work is finished with rotten - stone.

It is sometimes desirable to remove the enamel from a watch - case or a piece of jewelry without injuring the metallic part. For this purpose, it has been recommended to lay a mixture of common salt, nitre, and powdered alum upon the enamel required to be removed, and afterwards to place it in the furnace; and when the fusion has commenced, to throw the watch - case or piece of jewelry suddenly into water, which causes the enamel to fly off in flakes.

In ornamental - transparent work a very pretty effect is produced by applying small and very thin pieces of silver and gold, cut or stamped in different figures - acorns, oak leaves, vine leaves, bunches of grapes, etc, - upon the surface of the first coating of enamel, where they are fixed by the fire, and are afterwards covered over by the second layer, through which they appear with considerable beauty. When any quantity of fancy work or similar design is wanted, this mode of enamelling is considerably cheaper to execute than to have the surface of the metal itself engraved in the required forms.