Plentiful and pretty—though by no means cheap (in appearance or price)—glass is yet another way to add color to jewelry. Among designers, the rare and sumptuous art is making a comeback. From the vitreous, stained-glass-like varieties of plique-à-jour to the artful and light-filled application of guilloche engraved surface enameling, painting with heated glass powder composites allows jewelers to create miniature artworks that even the most precious metals couldn’t produce.

1 Above: Men’s Serpent silver and black enamel striped ring;  £175 ($275); Shaun Leane, London; 44-207-405-4773; shaunleane.com
2 Ribbon fan bangle with sapphires; $1,095; M.C.L. by Matthew Campbell Laurenza, New York City; 212-695-7904; mcldesign.net
3 Tassel lariat, Gaia two-tier necklace, multi-flower necklace, and Gaia flower and leaf necklace; $750–$1,990 (sold separately); Alberian & Aulde, Weehawken, N.J., 800-757-4728; alberianandaulde.com
4 Violet Fantasy enamel turning rings in 18k gold with 0.005 ct. t.w. diamonds; $3,900 each; diamond Juliet Band with 0.56 ct. t.w. diamonds; $11,200; Wellendorff, Pforzheim, Germany; 801-556-5206; wellendorff.com
5 Hand-painted resin 18k gold earrings with detachable pearl drops; $2,500; Guilherme Duque, São Paulo; 55-11-3068-8008; guilhermeduque.com.br