Kerstin Laibach Ethical Jewellery logo
To All Laibach Collections including Sculptural and Architectural To Wedding and Partnership Rings To The Rings Menu To the Earrings Menu To the Bracelets and Bangles Menu To the Brooches Menu To the Pendants and Necklaces Menu To Mens Ethical Jewellery
All Collections Wedding Partnership Men
transparent_gif
To Events and Exhibition Full Details
transparent_gif
transparent_gif
transparent_gif

dotOnly recycled precious metals and not directly mined and therefore no further displacement of fragile eco-systems.
dotLocally-gathered surface stones.
dot
Cruelty-free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
dot15% of profits donated to wildlife protection and re-naturing - also land-care education in developing countries.
dot
A genuine approach to chemical-hazard-free crafting.
dot
No plating. No casting. Nothing designed or made with computer software.
dot
Carbon-inverted targets (Dedicated to putting more back into nature than taking from it).
dot
Every detail handmade by Laibach.
dot
No greenwash answers to customer questions.
dot
No newly-mined gems ... ever.
dotAtelier Laibach is the first jewellery maker worldwide to use
The  About The NOVA Key Ethical Label Key ethical label.

transparent_gif
Ethical Jewellery Gift Voucher
transparent_gif
Atelier Laibach jewellery pouch
Your jewellery piece comes in a Kerstin Laibach handmade pouch made with bamboo / hemp, raffia and vegan sealing wax.

HOME... A UNIQUE ETHOS » KUEM-BOO

Kuem-Boo ... The Pros, Cons and Other Laibach Options

Kuem-Boo is an ancient gilding technique, which enables a jewellery maker to attach an ultra-fine layer of fine gold to the surface of solid silver. This method is occasionally used by Kerstin Laibach, whereby she creates recycled fine gold foil and attaches it, by heat and hand tool pressure alone to a solid silver surface. Pieces detailed with Kuem-Boo on a solid silver base gives customers with a smaller budget the opportunity to purchase Kerstin's purely hand-made designs with gold embellishment at an affordable price.
Laibach pieces with Kuem-Boo gold layering are however subject to a limited guarantee as, depending on how often the piece is worn and subsequently treated, the thin layering can eventually wear off showing the silver underneath. Under normal occasional wear, pieces such as earrings and some pendants with Kuem-Boo embellishment may last for many years without showing signs of wear-through. But each person handles their jewellery differently, such the frequency it is worn along with the treatment it may suffer through all manner of activities. So if Kuem-Boo layered areas of a piece of jewellery are in regular contact with materials and suffering friction wear (i.e. clothing, hands or work tools, etc.), the thin gilding is likely to show more visible signs of wear and tear long before the rest of the piece.

MORE SUBSTANTIAL GOLD EMBELLISHMENT OPTIONS

Because of the inherent nature of Kuem-Boo gilding ... being a very thin gold surface - such characteristics do not lend themselves well to the grind of daily wear. If you are likely to be wearing your jewellery regularly, Kerstin Laibach recommends that you avoid the Kuem-Boo option and consider the alternative versions of your desired Laibach piece. You can choose a thicker recycled gold layer to be attached to the silver base. This layer is rolled by Kerstin to a more robust thickness and soldered on to create a surface approximately 8 times thicker than Kuem Boo gilding and (from a metallurgical aspect) much longer-lasting in all conditions.
Of course, you can even choose to have gold embellished aspects of a Laibach design made by Kerstin in solid 18ct recycled gold throughout the entire detail. (For example, if you were to choose a ring from the Flowerpower Forget-Me-Not silver collection to be worn regularly on busy hands it would be preferable for you to opt for either a soldered gold layering flower centre or a solid gold flower centre ... not the Kuem Boo option).
Please get in touch to discuss your preferred choice.

ONE YEAR GUARANTEE ON KUEM-BOO PIECES AND RE-GILDING SERVICE

Due to the nature of Kuem-Boo (as described above), Laibach therefore provides a 12 month limited guarantee from date of purchase regarding your piece(s) layered with Kuem-Boo. If your piece shows clear signs of wear-through to the silver within the guarantee period you may return the piece to Kerstin Laibach for Kuem-Boo renewal free of charge (delivery not included).
Note: Scratches and other wear and tear marks on the Kuem Boo areas or any other part of the jewellery will not be accepted for free servicing under any Laibach guarantee period.
After 12 months ... If your Laibach piece with Kuem-Boo gilding shows signs of wear-through to the silver beneath after one year from date of purchase you may return your piece to Kerstin Laibach for re-gilding but you will be charged for the service and delivery.

For more information on terms and conditions please see here.

Return to the last page you visited