Golden Lily Earrings

These were etched using my Indian pattern book.

Etching is an interesting process which has many steps. The selected pattern is copied onto blue PNP or Press and Peel paper. The copy is burnished onto heated silver at about 250-300 degrees using a wood or agate burnisher. The design transfers onto the silver. The silver is suspended in an acid bath for 30-60 minutes till you can feel an etch using protective gloves. The silver is neutralized in an alkaline bath then in water. The PNP paper is dissolved away and finally the silver is polished and cut using a jeweler's saw to the desired shape. After more refining and polishing it is heated several times and put into another acid bath till the pure silver rises to the surface.

Then I burnish it with 24K gold foil to enhance the design. This is an ancient Korean technique called Keumboo. I paint on some patina for contrast.

These earrings look like flowers in a vase. They are one of a kind unless I make them again.

Dimensions: 1 and 1/2 inches X 1 inch. Sterling silver Ear Wires. These can be switched to comfortable sterling silver clip ons for an additional charge.