Cu + Au = Bling!: The Chemistry of Granulated Jewelry

Emory University student Emily Fared investigated the ancient technique of gold granulation. She examined Carlos Museum objects and considered the chemistry that enables this process. She also participated in a demonstration of the technique conducted by jewelry artist and gemologist Kathy Kinev. Granulation relies upon surface tension and the addition of a solute to a solution. These general chemistry concepts explain how ancient artists created such delicate and spectacular objects.
For more information, visit carlos.emory.edu/stories or to watch additional videos of past programming, subscribe to Carlos Museum's TH-cam channel.

[@jadenephrite]

Thank you for your video. Regarding 5:45, the granulation fusing liquid can be made by adding a copper salt such as copper sulfate or copper carbonate or copper acetate or copper chloride into a plant derived glue such as gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose, or a commercially available product known as "Klyr-Fire". The fusing liquid is used to initially adhere granulation balls or small metal pieces to a metal backing substrate surface. Then from the applied heat of a torch flame, the metal pieces become fused to the substrate. No added solder is required.

[@jld.itsjane9479]

Mika B, the audio got better right after the intro and the rest was quite educational!

[@margarethammond3211]

Very helpful information. Thank you. Can you please provide the formula for the glue-flux-water mixture?

[@ma2perdue]

nice, make more these are good! Your youtube channel "exhibits" great promise

[@AndTheCorrectAnswerIs]

Anyone that wants to see a modern master of this art should look up FILLIGREENUS on TH-cam....you will be blown away.

[@mitsospapas3306]

where can you find copper salts or metallic salts?

[@mawi1172]

Why would you do that to her? To your article? You know darn well we can't hear or understand a garbled word she says for the first full minute. Why send a video out that way? 🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@mikealman63tab]

Had to stop watching as the audio was the worst I've come across !

[@Tiberiotertio]

The sound quality is very poor, and the statement that granulation stopped in the late roman period is wrong, a bit more research and you will find plenty of jewellery from the early medieval times too, especially nothern Europe.

[@DonariaRegia]

The audio for the first minute is poor, but it's good after that. The part you have issue with, she said it fell out of favor from the late Roman period until the middle ages, a/k/a the medieval period. That means it became popular again after centuries of disuse,

[@Tiberiotertio]

@@DonariaRegia Love such experts and I am sure you are yourself an expert in the technique yourself? Where did you do your apprenticeship? Armchair experts know everything better.

[@DonariaRegia]

@@Tiberiotertio I accept your apology on their behalf. I can understand the confusion.

[@Tiberiotertio]

@@DonariaRegia What apology? I am a trained goldsmith and I am well familiar with the technique, and you? Or are you just your normal YT smart alec?

[@DonariaRegia]

@@Tiberiotertio She said the practice of granulation ended during the late Roman period and regained popularity during the middle ages. You heard that and chose to ignore it, but then repeated the same thing. Maybe you're just dense. I forgive you.