# Keum-boo: gold foil on silver

> Keum-boo, a Korean technique, joins 24-karat gold foil to fine silver with heat and pressure, without solder, for a gold-on-silver finish.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/keum-boo/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-07-06
- Updated: 2026-07-06
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/keum-boo/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Keum-boo (a Korean word meaning “attached gold”) applies a very thin foil of pure gold to silver. It is a form of gilding that bonds by diffusion, with no solder.

![Steps of the technique: Prepare the silver, Cut the gold, Place, Heat, Press, Polish](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/keumboo-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## How it works

1. Fine silver (or a fine-silver surface) and 24-karat gold foil are used, both extremely clean.
2. The piece is heated on a hot plate to a gentle temperature.
3. The foil is pressed down with a hot burnisher. Gold and silver bond at the atomic level (diffusion).

## Look

The gold sits flush on the surface and can be combined with granulation, openwork or patina.

## Materials

Fine silver (999), 24-karat gold, a hot plate and a burnisher.

## Tips

Total cleanliness is essential: any trace of grease prevents bonding.

## Step by step

1. **Prepare the silver.** Use fine silver or bring fine silver to the surface.
2. **Cut the gold.** Trim the 24K gold foil.
3. **Place.** Rest the gold on clean, hot silver.
4. **Heat.** To around 300-400 °C on a plate.
5. **Press.** With a burnisher, until it adheres.
6. **Polish.** Brighten with a burnisher.

## Tools and materials

- 24K gold foil
- Fine silver or sterling with a fine silver surface
- Hot plate or torch
- Burnisher ([burnisher](https://www.711grados.com/en/burnishing-metal/))

## Common mistakes

- Dirty surface or copper: it does not adhere.
- Low-karat gold: it will not bond.
- Overheating: the silver melts.
- Pressing with a cold burnisher.

## See also

- [Silver](https://www.711grados.com/en/silver/)
- [Mokume-gane: wood-grain metal](https://www.711grados.com/en/mokume-gane/)
- [Gilding: fire, leaf and electrogilding](https://www.711grados.com/en/gilding-fire-leaf-and-electro/)