What is niello in jewellery?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Niello is an inlay technique in which grooves or recesses engraved into gold or silver are filled with a black composition made from metal sulfides, typically a mixture of silver, copper and lead sulfides. When fired and polished, the black compound sits level with the metal surface and creates a sharp, graphic contrast between the dark inlay and the gleaming metal around it. Niello is one of the oldest decorative metalworking techniques, used across ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, and it remained popular through to the 20th century, particularly in Russian silverware and Thai nielloware.
Frequently asked questions
- How is niello different from enamel?
- Both fill recesses in metal with colour, but niello uses a metallic sulfide compound that is black and opaque, while enamel is a glass-based material that can be transparent, translucent or opaque and comes in many colours. Niello is typically only black; enamel can be any colour.
- Which cultures have used niello?
- Niello has appeared in ancient Egyptian and Roman metalwork, Byzantine and Viking jewellery, Renaissance European pieces, Thai silverwork known as nielloware, and Russian decorative silver from the 18th and 19th centuries. It is genuinely one of the most widely distributed techniques in the history of metalworking.
- Is niello jewellery still made today?
- Yes, though it is less common than in earlier periods. It appears in contemporary craft jewellery and fine silver work, and antique nielloware pieces, especially Thai and Russian examples, remain popular with collectors.
Designing a ring
Talk through niello with us
Tell us what you have in mind, even if it is only a budget and a piece of jewellery type, and we will help you weigh up the options. We reply to every enquiry, usually within one business day.
Contact the studio