[pattye]

The pieces of Mokume I have seen are smooth, mostly rings. They are fascinating and gorgeous! In Keum-boo that I've seen in person the gold is applied over another metal and is a thin sheet, so could easily have some texture.

[Pearlgully]

Originally Posted by pearlescence

Does anyone know where I could get electrum? Apart from raiding a few tombs? I have a yen for this unusual mix

The few times I've worked with electrum, I've alloyed it myself. Start with a piece of 22k gold and weigh it. Then add 40% of FINE silver to whatever the 22k gold weight is.

ex: Melt (10 dwts of 22k gold plus 4 dwts of fine silver) = electrum.

I hope this helps but personally, I do not like electrum. I find it much too soft and a big waste of gold (especially in today's market). Although, I don't know what your intentions are, you might want to consider just using fine silver and sand off the shine...... it's a lot cheaper.


Gail

[pearlescence]

I had a fancy to use it just for being different really....I'll note the recipe because I have loads of scrap which I have never got around to sending off to the melt

...........although since much of the scrap is sterling would this ruin it? or would it make some other alloy?

[Pearlgully]

Originally Posted by pearlescence

...........although since much of the scrap is sterling would this ruin it? or would it make some other alloy?

! No.... don't alloy with sterling. I had feeling you might think of sterling so I capitalized "FINE" in my prior post. If you want electrum, use only fine silver to alloy with the gold.


Gail

[pearlescence]

I did spot that FINE. not the sort of silver one has lying around though and why I wondered if using sterling would produce some other named alloy

[judimcc6]

Ok, so tell me if I am crazy. I am on a committee to organize an event for our Art Center and there is a raffle for a number of items, among them a necklace that has a letter from the owner that it is worth $3000. and then an appraisal from a jewelry store for $1800. That's not even the problem. The necklace is composed of 3mm onyx and 3mm crystal beads with a GOLDPLATED clasp. It is definitely goldplated and not 18kt gold...no stamp and it looks like costume. What could I do but dash home and take out of stock a 36" beautiful rope of 11mm FWP. It doesn't retail for $3000. or $1800. but it sure is a lot more desirable.

I was happy to stop some tears with pearls.

[GemGeek]

I have a pet peeve about that -- they put a grossly inflated value on the item so they can take it off on their taxes. If it's a business, they are supposed to pay sales tax on the value they state, but most never do.

You can feel great about donating your huge and lovely pearls. I hope they go for a lot of $$$

[raj]

Re electrum, presumably green gold is the modern day equilavent given the same metal content?
I guess you would get a pale rose gold if you alloy with sterling although typically the copper content is signifcantly higher.

[Pearlgully]

Originally Posted by pearlescence

I did spot that FINE. not the sort of silver one has lying around though and why I wondered if using sterling would produce some other named alloy

I do not have an answer to your question. I can only tell you that I have studied with master goldsmiths of classical/ancient jewelry and the formula that I printed above was the one they shared with me.


Gail

[pearlescence]

I'm not disputing the recipe.
Did ancient Egypt, where they used a lot of electrum have 22ct gold though? Obviously not sterling silver since there was no sterling! Pure and Pure?

[Bernadette]

Wendy they certainly did have access to 22K - in many places around the world the "raw" gold as its found as grains\nuggets can be of around that purity or better.

One of the issues with using sterling scrap - is that its like forest gump's chocolates - your never quite sure what your going to get. Its much safer and easier to start out with known ingredients.

I used to do some work for Jason Ree - a master jeweller in Sydney - his Mokume work is lovely http://www.jasonree.com.au/jr_mokume_gallery.html

DH was reading this over my shoulder and mentioned that the Arabs did this technique with steel back in the middle ages - a quick search on Damascus steel will bring up some interesting pics.

[pearlescence]

thanks for all the info....I am certainly going to have a play after Christmas.

[Nerida]

Bernadette, thank you for the link... I love the patterns in this work - very Australian!
I also love the work that Heidi included earlier - these designs are amazing. I have not had any exposure at all to metalworking, so this is all new, and quite intriguing!

[Heidi]

Here is a photo of the ring I just had made which uses keum-boo technique.

The artist is Studio 94 on Etsy, LINK and she is amazing to work with.

[GemGeek]

Oh Heidi, that's SUPERB!!!