What is Keum Bo?

What is Keum Bo?

Kŭmbu. Keum-boo (also Geumbu, Kum-Boo or Kum-bu—Korean “attached gold”) is an ancient Korean gilding technique used to apply thin sheets of gold to silver, to make silver-gilt. Traditionally, this technique is accomplished by first depleting a surface of sterling silver to bring up a thin layer of fine silver.

Can gold leaf be used for Keum Boo?

Thanks to its thickness it is excellent for Keum-Boo (also called Kumbo, Kum-Boo, Kum-Bu or Keum-Bu), an ancient Korean technique where you fuse gold foil to your silver (or other metals, like steel), using heat and pressure, it gives a beautiful result.

Can you solder after Keum Boo?

If you need to solder or form the metal after doing Kum Boo, be sure to re-check the adhesion of the gold foil afterwards. The foil may bubble up if there is trapped air. Re-heating and re- burnishing can usually smooth these down.

Can you enamel over Keum Boo?

Enamelling gold foil may be used for keum-boo, though it is so thin it has a green tint from the silver beneath. Once applied however it is easy to place more gold foil on top and bond it to itself to thicken the covering.

How do you pronounce Keum Boo?

Right now, we are completely infatuated with the rustic elegance of the silversmithing technique, Keum-Boo—pronounced either “kim boo” or “kum boo”—an ancient Korean gilding method used to apply thin sheets of 24K gold to silver and other metals.

Can you do Keum Boo on copper?

As copper oxidizes fast, you need to try to reduce the time of heating the metal. So, I do not complicate the design and press all the pieces in one step. Then, I usually apply the second layer and finish it.

How do you fuse gold to silver?

You therefore might want to try this:

1. apply a watery PMC gold clay slip to the surface of your silver, amount of water depending on the desired visual effect.
2. attach silver to heat sink.
3. apply butane torch to gold to fuse it upon the silver without also. melting the silver as well.

What is 24K gold foil?

Our 24 karat gold leaf is 99.9% real gold, and is the preferred leaf for gilding projects which require purity and a true gold color. 24k is commonly used for architectural projects, artwork, and religious iconography.

How do I apply gold leaf to sterling silver?

No solder or glue is involved. The pure gold and pure silver fuse together through a combination of heat and pressure – put simply you heat the silver, apply the foil and then burnish it in place.