[Jewelry making - Article 00037] - Re: [Orchid] Ancient gold granulation process

[James Binnion]

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    Jesse. I have spent the past 16 years learning about diffusion
    lamination of precious metals (I make mokume jewelry)  I studied it
    as much as I can without the aid of a getting materials degree.  My
    lamination process is done without any component reaching liquidus. I
    also understand the analytical abilities of a SEM and its decedents I
    used to work in a semiconductor fab lab on the other side of the bay.
    I would find it extremely  unlikely that granulation could be done by
    way of diffusion and not some form of local fusion.  There are ways
    to fuse high purity gold without high heat (the kumboo thread that is
    going on right now is a good example)) however they all rely on some
    form of pressure or extremely clean inert or reducing atmosphere for
    extended periods of time (hours). I do not belive that the ancients
    could create that kind of atmosphere and the pressure would have left
    very distinct  marks on the surfaces. The only way I can think of
    that might be possible is to heat the gold to the point where there
    is both a solid  phase  and liquid phase present and then cool it
    back down. It would be very hard to do this without melting the piece
    as the difference between solidus and liquidus is only 10-20F  . 

Jim 
http://www.mokume-gane.com
jbin AT well.com
James Binnion Metal Arts
4701 San Leandro St #18
Oakland, CA 94601
510-533-5108


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