Keum Boo
Learn the Korean technique of Keum Boo and
add beautiful 24k gold to your designs.
Keum Boo literally translates as "attached gold" and permanently bonds 24k gold to silver. Ever since I made my first piece of jewellery using Keum Boo I have been fascinated by the possibilities of this technique, and by the fact that such a rich gold colour can be added to silver without breaking the bank!
Topics covered include:
- Sawing, piercing, filing and sanding silver
- Preparing sterling silver through depletion gilding
- texturing silver sheet
- making and attaching bails and earwires
- and, of course, different methods of attaching the gold foil.
You will also be taught about the equipment required for carrying out Keum Boo work at home and will take information sheets away with you, together with any left over gold foil.
This tuition topic does not require any previous experience of silversmithing, but previous experience is useful if you wish to make a complicated piece - I can advise you on this before your tuition day.
Is this topic a half day or full day's tuition?
A full day is needed for this topic. In that time we will go through how the technique works and the tools and equipment needed, and you will have time to make at least two or three simple pieces or, if you prefer, one more complex piece.
Is any previous experience needed?
This workshop is suitable for everyone! Beginners to jewellery making will learn many of the basic skills needed for more advanced skills. Those with previous experience will also find their skills tested and improved by the end of the session.
What are the material costs?
The topic uses sterling silver and 24k gold foil. The amount of silver used will depend on your design, but a couple of simple projects can be made using £20 of silver. A 3.5cm by 5cm piece of gold foil is currently £38, and this is plenty for the day. There is usually some left over for you to so that you can continue the technique at home. These prices are at July 2025.
See full details of Private Tuition and currently available dates here