WHAT IS GLASS GRANULATION?
A signature expression of Material in Motion
Developed by Francesca Marcenaro in 2004, Glass Granulation is her signature technique: tiny rounded glass granules are fused to metal to create a tactile surface whose appearance changes continuously with light and movement.
Glass Granulation is a direct expression of Material in Motion, the concept at the centre of Francesca’s work. The surface is never visually static: as the jewel moves with the body, reflections travel across the glass, shifting between transparency, colour and light.
A Proprietary Process
Francesca works directly with metal and glass granules, using a fusion process developed through years of personal experimentation.
The exact preparation, sequence and technical conditions of this process are proprietary and known only to Francesca. Every piece incorporating Glass Granulation is personally created by her in the studio.
Because the glass granules are positioned and fused by hand, each surface develops its own rhythm, density and variation. Even when a design is repeated, no two pieces are ever exactly alike.
Ancient References, Contemporary Language
The name Glass Granulation refers to traditional metal granulation, one of the oldest goldsmithing techniques, in which minute spheres of precious metal are joined to a metal surface. It also acknowledges the long relationship between glass, heat and metal found in enamelling.
Glass Granulation, however, is neither a reproduction of Etruscan granulation nor a conventional form of enamel. Francesca brings together the material principles of both traditions to create a contemporary process of her own.
Metal provides form and structure, while glass introduces transparency, colour, texture and reflected light. Francesca’s Italian heritage becomes a point of departure from which a new and recognisable visual language has developed.
Material in Motion
When the jewel is still, Glass Granulation appears as a tactile field of individual rounded forms. When it is worn, the surface is activated by the movement of the body.
Each granule catches and releases light from a different angle. Reflections appear, disappear and travel across the metal, allowing the same piece to reveal a continually changing character.
This movement between solidity and transparency, structure and luminosity, precision and organic variation lies at the heart of Material in Motion. Glass Granulation is therefore not simply an applied decoration: it is integral to the visual identity and presence of the jewel.
A Different Kind of Luminosity
Unlike faceted gemstones, which concentrate light into individual flashes, Glass Granulation disperses reflection across a surface of small, rounded elements.
The effect is subtle from a distance and richly detailed when viewed closely. Depending on the colour of the glass and the metal beneath it, the surface may appear luminous, translucent, silvery, golden or almost liquid.
The granules can evoke dew, bubbles, mineral formations or cellular structures without directly reproducing them. These natural associations give the jewellery an organic quality while preserving the clarity of its sculptural form.
Recognised for Its Originality
“In my decades-long career I have never seen anyone utilizing glass granulation, so I really loved the originality of Francesca’s body of work.”
— Bryna Pomp, Director, MAD About Jewelry, Museum of Arts and Design, New York
A work incorporating Francesca Marcenaro’s Glass Granulation is held in the Permanent Collection of the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas in Madrid.
Explore Glass Granulation
Glass Granulation appears throughout Francesca Marcenaro’s jewellery, from sculptural cuffs and brooches to necklaces, earrings and rings.
Each piece explores a different relationship between glass, metal, light and movement, while retaining the individual character created by Francesca’s handmade process.
Explore the collections
→ Find the piece that speaks to you
In her own words
In this short film, Francesca discusses the inspiration, experimentation and material research behind Glass Granulation and the place the technique holds within her jewellery practice.
Caring for Glass Granulation
Francesca demonstrates how to clean and care for a silver piece featuring Glass Granulation, helping to preserve the finish of the metal and the luminosity of the glass surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Glass Granulation?
Glass Granulation is Francesca Marcenaro’s proprietary jewellery technique, developed in 2004. Tiny rounded glass granules are fused to metal to create tactile surfaces that change with light and movement.
Is Glass Granulation the same as traditional granulation?
No. Traditional granulation uses minute spheres of metal, generally gold, joined to a metal surface. Francesca’s Glass Granulation uses glass granules and a personally developed fusion process to produce a more transparent and light-responsive surface.
Is Glass Granulation a form of enamelling?
It shares the use of glass, metal and heat with enamelling, but the visual result and process are different. Instead of creating a continuous enamelled field, Glass Granulation preserves the presence of individual rounded granules. The exact fusion method remains proprietary.
Who creates the Glass Granulation surfaces?
Every Glass Granulation surface is made personally by Francesca in her studio. The technique is not outsourced, and its exact process is known only to her.
Are two Glass Granulation pieces ever identical?
No two surfaces are exactly the same. The positioning, density and response of the glass granules create subtle variations that give every piece its individual character.