This is timely topic for me as well. I am interested in adding
accents of gold to my silver pieces. I work with traditional
sheet/wire metal as well as PMC. I would be interested in opinions
comparing options such as Keum Boo, pen plating, Aura 22, Accent
Gold for Silver, Art Clay ACS gold Paste and other such
products/techniques. I use a lot of texture in my work and have
heard it is hard to use Keum Boo on textured pieces.
Thanks to all you gret jewelers who share your knowledge!
I would be interested in opinions comparing options such as Keum
Boo, pen plating, Aura 22, Accent Gold for Silver, Art Clay ACS
gold Paste and other such products/techniques. I use a lot of
texture in my work and have heard it is hard to use Keum Boo on
textured pieces.
Camille, Keum-boo on texture will depend on the depth of the area
you want gold. I have very successfully used gold keum-boo foil on
PMC with dimples and other textures to echo the pattern in a stone.
It’s simple and mess-free. It just needs burnishing tools to help
fuse it in the depressions. Try it, it’s fun! It’s been a long time
since I used Aura 22, but as I remember, it worked if you follow the
directions.
I have read what I can find in the archives and on youtube regarding
keum bu, but am still hoping to learn what are the best methods for
cutting the gold foil into small, complex pieces. One source
suggested fastening the foil onto adhesive backed paper of some kind,
cutting to design, applying to sterling and then burning off or
otherwise removing the paper and adhesive.
I would greatly appreciate any advice from anyone willing to share
their hard won experience.
Thanks to all that make this such an incredible fountain of
One source suggested fastening the foil onto adhesive backed paper
of some kind, cutting to design, applying to sterling and then
burning off or otherwise removing the paper and adhesive.
That’s a terrible idea. Just cut it, while holding between the
papers it comes in. Paper punches also work very well.
I totally agree with Elaine that putting the foil between papers,
cutting it, applying it to the metal and burning the paper off is
not a good idea. Follow Elaine’s suggestion of leaving the foil in
the paper it comes in, cut it, and apply the foil to the metal. I
was fortunate to be able to take a workshop with Komelia Okim, and
the adhesive she had us use to attach the foil to the silver was a
dilute solution of gum tragacanth, which we mixed ourselves from the
dry powder. It burns off cleanly, leaving no residue.