[Ansteorra] New Crowns and Coronets

[Hillary Greenslade]

Lyonel said: 
If you want black crowns, I would recommend enameled copper or brass. The internals will still require some upkeep, but the outer black surface will always remain as smooth as glass.

If you go with enamel - I'd suggest using enameled medalions set as if stone cabachons.  Enamel can get very heavy, so I don't suggest it as a full, all over inlay, but used as a design element.  
For poly-resins, I'd suggest putting it in a recess, such as an etched cell, as in champleve, to protect it from getting hit or chipped, as will happen if the resin is just sitting on the surface.  There are some resins that are harder than others for metalsmith use; the hard resins can be sanded on a high speed belt sander to bring up a nice shine, and they will last longer; though the color palette on the hard resins can be limited - but most all will have a simple black resin. 

One of the biggest issues with coronets is knowing how to properly clean and/or polish them.  May I suggest that artisans who makes coronets should include cleaning instructions, along with a list of the tools or materials approved to do so.  

Cheers, Hillary