Etched Checkerboard Heart Pendant

I found this interesting and unusual checkerboard heart in my Indian design book and used it to etch a pendant.

Etching is a fun but time consuming process. You start out with sheet silver. You choose your pattern and burnish it on to the heated metal. The silver sheet is then floated on an acid bath. The exposed metal gets etched with the pattern. The metal is then floated in a neutralizing bath. 

The piece was cut away from the surrounding metal using a jeweler's saw. The edges were filed and sanded to make them smooth and soft. The pendant was heated several times to bring the pure silver up to the surface. 24K Gold foil was burnished on. This ancient Korean process is called Keum boo. Patina was painted on for added color and accent. The combination of the gold, along with the blues and copper of the patina make it a delightful piece!

Dimensions : 1 and 3/4 inches X 1 and 1/2 inches. Sterling silver box chain 18 inches.