[Jewelry making - Article 00083] - Re: [Orchid] Keum boo burnishing marks

[Katherine Palochak]

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    I don't know to what millemeter my keum-boo gold translates to, but
    I roll it out to about 36 ga., or about the thickness of heavy duty
    aluminum foil. This is thicker than leaf, and it is generally quite
    stiff from work hardening after rolling it. This works to an
    advantage when cutting patterns with punches or knives, as it tends
    to shear better. 

    Many people seem to think you have to apply a lot of pressure when
    burnishing to get the gold to adhere. I've found if the metals are
    perfectly clean and at the right temperature, adhesion is almost
    immediate and no more than a light touch is necessary for adhesion. I
    go past the gold edges, making sure I've pushed all the air out
    between the two layers. I have no problems getting the gold to adhere
    into the substrate patterns, and some are very intricate. After
    completing the process, I pickle and then brass brush. This will
    destroy the frosty finish you like, but I suspect you might be able
    bring it back with an acid dip. Personally, I favor using patinas to
    help provide contrast between the gold and silver, and I know some
    who use the patina, then knock it back to where there is only the
    very faintest line around the gold. 

    If you go to the Orchid gallery archives, you can see 3 pieces I've
    done in keum-boo, 2 pr. earrings and a bracelet. Here's the link:
    http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/palo.htm Even though the end effect
    is not the same as what you want, you can see there are no burnishing
    marks. 

>         Also Charles Lewton-brain wrote that pieces may be soldered
>     and formed AFTER kuem-booing. What are anyone's thoughts/experience
>     on this? Is it best just to cold connect OR do all the fabrication
>     before-hand? 

    I do the decorative processes before keum-boo, such as reticulation,
    etching or pattern rolling. While the pieces are still flat, I do the
    keum-boo, because I use the low-temperature method using a thick
    piece of metal as the heat transfer rather than a torch. After I do
    the keum-boo, then I do any forming and soldering afterwards. In
    particular notice the score-folded earrings in the shape of stylized
    fan shapes. These were scored, folded, soldered and posts added.
    after the keum-boo. If the keum-boo has adhered properly, it will not
    lift.  

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