I am enamelling some pieces in 18ct white gold (to be set in a white
gold collar). The problem is the client really likes the slightly
wrinkled textured effect of using silver foil under the enamel, but
prefers the more muted steel colour of 18ct white to the brasher
pure silver. I assume one cannot get white gold foil as gold foil is
24 carat. Am I wrong? Otherwise, I can think only of either acid
etching the surface or reticulation, both of which are a bit too
unpredictable for such expensive materials. There are 5 pieces which
are not small & 4 of which need to be matching pairs; so cost
prohibits any experimental tries! Does any out in wonderful Orchid
land have any suggestions?
I’m surprised that the difference in color between silver and white
gold would really show under the enamel. If you don’t want to roll
white gold into foil and use it like the silver because you
anticipate that it will oxidize during the enameling, try a test
piece of 18K palladium white to see if it does oxidize. I use a lot
of 18K Palladium white gold and it takes quite a bit of heat during
soldering without discoloring.
Linda in MA, where we’re beginning to fear that spring will never
come…
The problem is the client really likes the slightly wrinkled
textured effect of using silver foil under the enamel, but prefers
the more muted steel colour of 18ct white to the brasher pure
silver.
Hallo Deborah. I have purchased and used white gold leaf on the
surface of enamel, although it is probably too thin to take enamel on
the top. Therefore I would assume that white gold foil can be made.
Perhaps your supplier could help you. As it is the characteristic of
the foil to create the wrinkling effect, and the problem seems to be
the colour, could you use a more suitable colour over silver foil to
knock back the ‘brashness’ to get the desired result?
How about using a rolling mill with a textured paper or a die former
with the lexan lightly textured with burs to impart the crinkly look
that you are looking for. You could test it out on copper first to
see if it is what you are looking for.