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Granulation: tiny spheres of gold

· Updated · 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Granulation: tiny spheres of gold

Granulation covers a piece with tiny metal spheres, sometimes under half a millimeter, that seem to float on the surface. It is associated above all with Etruscan goldwork.

Steps of the technique: Make the spheres, Sort, Place, Heat, Cool, Clean
Summary of the steps

How it is done #

  1. The granules are made by melting small pieces of metal on charcoal.
  2. They are placed on the surface with an adhesive paste containing copper salts.
  3. On heating, the copper and gold form a bond (a localized solder) that fixes the granules leaving no trace of solder.

Why it is difficult #

The heat must be just right: too little does not join the granules and too much melts them into the base. The granules have to be even and well placed.

History #

The Etruscans of the 7th century BCE brought it to a high level, and the technique was lost and later rediscovered.

Today #

It is used in luxury artisan jewelry and in archaeological reproductions.

Step by step #

  1. Make the spheres. Cut tiny pieces of wire and melt them on charcoal.
  2. Sort. Separate the spheres by size.
  3. Place. Arrange the spheres on the base with glue and flux.
  4. Heat. With just the right flame for diffusion bonding.
  5. Cool. Let it cool without moving.
  6. Clean. Pickle and tidy up.

Tools and materials #

  • Gold or silver wire and charcoal
  • Fine brush and organic glue
  • Fine tweezers (tweezers)
  • Fine-tipped torch

Common mistakes #

  • Overheating: the spheres melt into the base.
  • Dirty spheres: they do not bond.
  • Too much glue: carbon marks.
  • Moving the piece while heating.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.