[Jewelry making - Article 00637] - Re: [Orchid] Keum Boo Nightmare

[Cynthia Wiig]

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Hello again -

    My understanding/experience is that the depletion guilded surface is
    like a "plated" surface  -so it will definitely wear off.  Basically,
    it is a "clean" fine silver reminant after one removes the copper
    from the sterling silver material through repetitive heat/quench in
    acid/brushings.  This makes it possible for the 24k gold foil to
    nicely adhere to the silver.  I will do the depletion guilded
    repetitive steps when using sterling silver - and then, after the
    kum-boo process, will proceed with my usual finishing/polishing
    proceedures - which include removing firescale etc. 

    Then, I will finish the pieces with oxidation patinas or matte
    finish or whatever.  If I'm working with fine silver as a starting
    metal - then the depletion gilded steps are not needed for the
    kum-boo process.  If I'm doing the wonderful fold forming techniques
    with fine silver - then the silver seems to be adequately work
    hardened to be wearable. 

    To me, it is important that the pieces will withstand the test of
    time and wear.  Personally, I have not found a way to "cure" the
    results of depletion guilding.  Using renaissance wax on a wall piece
    that I did - did not withstand the test of time.  The copper modules
    were fine - but the sterling silver modules lost their original
    finish.  However, I do live in an environment of high humidity - and
    these pieces were not protected by enclosure of any sort. 

    Wearing work that is depletion guilded first will definitely wear
    through that layer of surface treatment.  In fact, it is better to do
    kum-boo on surfaces that do not experience abrasion. 

Well . . .over and out for this visit.
Aloha,
Cynthia (in Honolulu)

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