Artisanal jewelry carries the maker's hand in its surface (in texture, tool marks, and slight dimensional variation) which machine production eliminates and hand-fabrication preserves as evidence of the maker's skill.
Visually Speaking
Opaque enamel produces solid, flat color suited to graphic and pictorial compositions. Translucent enamel passes light through to the metal surface beneath, where texture or engraving adds depth and luminosity. Make sure to keep this bold to minimal spectrum in mind when giving the gift of enamel jewelry.
A Notable Quality
The finish on gold over silver tends to read as more vibrant than other gold-toned pieces, because silver's reflectivity works through the gold layer, intensifying the color. It is a visible difference.