[Jewelry making - Article 00326] - Re: [Orchid] Niello and Fire-gilding

[Ron Charlotte]

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    From what's in _On Divers Arts_ by Theophilus 

    http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books/us/product/0486237842.htm

    which was written in the 11th century, I would hazard to guess that
    they would inlay the niello first, then apply the mercury amalgam
    gilding. The niello would be fused in the 500-600 degree F range, and
    the gilding could be set a much lower temperatures. 

    I'm not really sure the amalgam would even stick to the niello (I
    have no idea how the mercury would react to the silver and copper). 

    While I suspect the effect you see is from wear, it's not beyond
    belief that the exposed silver was a deliberate contrast with the
    gold and niello. 

Ron Charlotte -- Gainesville, FL
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