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
|