Are cloisonné pins more durable than soft enamel pins?

In practice, yes. The glass-like enamel on a cloisonné pin is fired hard and polished level with the metal, so there are no raised edges to catch on clothing and no recessed paint to chip out of a corner. That makes it the better choice for a pin someone will wear on a uniform every day or keep for decades.

Soft enamel pins are still plenty durable for normal wear, and an epoxy dome can be added to protect the surface. The real difference between the two is the look and feel, not whether they last.

Related Questions