How to do Keum Boo in my method

April 03, 2019

This video is made for professional jewelry artists on the assumption that you already know how to do Keum Boo.
And then I show you my method that might be a bit different from the ordinary one.

FAQ

Q: What is depletion gilding?
A: Depletion gilding is a method used to remove copper from the surface of sterling silver. Heat the sterling silver with a bushy flame to oxidize the copper on the surface. Then let it cool down slowly, as this produces more oxidized copper. Next, pickle the piece to remove the oxidized copper. Repeat this process several times until the sterling silver no longer turns black when heated with the flame. The video shows this process only once, but I actually repeated it several times.

Q: What kind of double-sided tape do you use?
A: I use film-based tape. It's thin and burns easily. You can find it at your local shop.

Q: What is YAMATO Arabic Glue?
A: Typically, tragacanth gum is used for Keum Boo. YAMATO Arabic Glue is made of polyvinyl alcohol and works almost the same as tragacanth gum. It's a common glue in Japan and is available at any convenience store or stationery shop. You might be able to find it on your local Amazon.

Q: What sand do you use for sandblasting?
A: It's garnet sand. I don't know the exact grit number, but the diameter is around 1mm.

Q: I heard Keum Boo is done after all soldering is finished. How do you attach this Keum Boo piece to your jewelry?

A: There are several methods. I often use a support ring and rivets. Please watch my other video for more details.

https://www.kaznesq.com/blog/how-do-back-setting-support-ring-and-rivets

These are the example pieces of Keum Boo in my shop.

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/leaf-motif-fan-shape-keum-boo-labradorite-oxidized-silver-pendant-necklace

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/japanese-fan-motif-keum-boo-cloud-pattern-garnet-oxidized-silver-pendant-necklace-party-scen

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/leaves-and-moon-keum-boo-japanese-art-oxidized-silver-pendant-necklace-yellow-quartz-lined-g

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/japanese-sword-sheath-inspired-gourd-motif-keum-boo-oxidized-silver-pendant-necklace

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/rutilated-quarts-onyx-lining-keum-boo-round-silver-pendant-necklace

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/iris-motif-fine-gold-keum-boo-and-oxidized-silver-japanese-traditional-style-art-pendant-nec

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/ruby-cab-wild-berry-keum-boo-oxidized-silver-pendant-necklace

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/japanese-art-motif-keum-boo-blossom-rectangle-oxidized-silver-pendant-necklace

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/cherry-blossoms-rectangle-keum-boo-silver-pendant-necklace

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/pine-tree-japanese-art-pendant-necklace-keum-boo-and-oxidized-silver

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/colored-leaves-square-oxidized-silver-keum-boo-pendant-necklace

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/art-nouveau-style-flower-keum-boo-pendant-necklace-oxidized-silver-and-akoya-pearls

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/akebi-motif-sugilite-picture-pendant-necklace-oxidized-silver-and-keum-boo

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/red-maple-leaf-ginkgo-and-chrysanthemum-flower-oxidized-silver-and-keum-boo-pendant-necklace

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/sunset-motif-biwa-pearl-citrine-keum-boo-oxidized-silver-pendant-necklace

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/rutilated-quartz-keum-boo-oxidized-silver-thunder-and-cloud-motif-pendant-necklace

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/made-order-gold-keum-boo-oxidized-silver-circle-ginkgo-earrings

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/japanese-bush-clover-keum-boo-pendant-necklace-amethyst-and-akoya-pearls

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/art-nouveau-style-gold-japanese-bush-clover-oxidized-silver-necklace-lab-made-amethyst

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/art-nouveau-style-ivy-openwork-keum-boo-amethyst-oxidized-silver-necklace

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/autumn-red-leaf-and-keum-boo-ginkgo-necklace-desert-druzy-pendant

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/ivy-keum-boo-circle-pendant-oxidized-silver

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/keum-boo-waterlily-carps-and-moon-necklace-gold-foil-and-oxidized-silver

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/japanese-bush-clovers-and-full-moon-necklace

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/made-order-art-nouveau-gold-leaf-earrings-oxidized-silver-and-keum-boo

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/gold-checkers-and-waterlily-keum-boo-neckleace-inspired-japanese-room-partition

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/thriving-leaves-rectangle-keum-boo-pendant

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/pearl-and-silver-pendant-japanese-patina-and-keum-boo-inspired-japanese-partition

https://www.kaznesq.com/product/gold-keum-boo-snowed-branches-necklace-featuring-akoya-pearls-and-green-zircon