In the world of lapel pin collecting, there are certain things one looks for when choosing a pin to keep, or a pin to toss. One of these factors is the type, or style, of pin.
The type of lapel pin can play a big part in selecting pins for your collection. Many times it comes down to simply how the pin looks, the quality of the finish, the luster and the general appearance of the lapel pin.
Pin styles vary drastically, and each style was developed to accomplish a certain goal, and with certain design characteristics in mind. I’ll run you through some of the core styles of lapel pins, ranging from the most popular, to the most expensive, and beyond. Let’s begin, shall we?
Cloisonne (often called hard enamel) – The Top Dog
Cloisonne lapel pins go way back in history. The Chinese have perfected the art of cloisonne, or filling in cells with color over the course of hundreds of years. As most lapel pins (so I hear) are manufactured in China, this gives a general sense that the technique is coming from the one place in the world where it is considered a fine art. The main feature of cloisonne lapel pins is there brilliant shine, and smooth surface. I’ve seen many lapel pin companies refer to these as Jewelry-like or jewelry-quality, and I can’t agree more. They are by far the best looking type of pins, granted the design of the pin you’ve got lends itself to looking nice to begin with, the cloisonne style will make it look that much better. I give this style 3 thumbs up. Both of my own, and I borrowed another thumb from Pins, my dog. (A ferocious werewolf-life beast)Soft Enamel – 1st Runner Up
So when you don’t get best, what do you get? Second best! Duh. Anyhow, soft enamel lapel pins are actually a very, very great type of pin, and sometimes….yep, SOMETIMES can look better than a cloisonne lapel pin, depending on the design. This is subject to opinion, but I have some soft enamel pins that I can’t imagine would look any better in cloisonne. These lapel pins are what you would call dimensional 2d, or to describe in better detail, they have recessed colors (sunken in) and raised trimming outlines that form the perimeter of the design of the pin. I see more soft enamel lapel pins that any other type of pins I collect. I think it’s because they generally look amazing and they’re a little less money so people tend to have these made more often than cloisonne pins. Either way, I really like the way these lapel pins look.Die Struck – 3rd place but tied for 1st
Die struck pins are pretty awesome looking. They don’t have paint like the cloisonne and soft enamel pins, they only feature raised and recessed metal (the recessed metal is typically sandblasted from my understanding) and they look really neat. Die struck pins are very versatile, and I see many highly sought after collectible pins made in die struck version. Some of the most valuable pins out there are die struck pins. Die struck pins are usually all gold, all silver or all bronze.Screen Printed / Digital Printed – The leftovers
I don’t usually collect any lapel pins that are printed or screen-printed, I don’t like the way they look the be honest, but everything has its place. Screen-printing allows for fine small details to be printed onto a pin that otherwise would not be possible, I guess. I sometimes see cloisonne lapel pins that have screen-printing applied to them after they’re already made, and those look really trick. Printed pins (the ones that look like a photo/design printed onto the pin with a bubble (acrylic or epoxy?) applied to them. Ultra-cheap looking in my opinion. But again, there’s a place for everything. I just choose not to collect these.Wrapping Up
While several types of lapel pins exist, the types of lapel pins you collect is purely up to you. I normally go with my eye, and what visually appeals to me, or whatever I think will be a good trader. Again, just have fun and keep it positive.Tags: cloisonne, collecting, die struck, pin styles, pins, soft enamel
