Accent Gold for Silver™ - AGS™

For best results please follow these instructions carefully.

Download AGS™ Instructions as an Adobe PDF

About This Product

This package contains two bottles: one contains pure dry 24K gold powder and the other, a non-toxic water base medium.  After mixing, the gold paste is used to apply accents to fine silver jewelry articles including those prepared from silver clay.  AGS™ is applied to an already-fired silver piece, followed by air drying and then heating to bond the gold powder to the silver.  After cooling, the gold layer is burnished and the desired final surface finish is applied.

Mixing: Add 8 to 12 drops of medium from the glass bottle to the plastic bottle containing the gold powder and mix thoroughly with a straightened paper clip (provided).  The consistency should be that of thick slurry.  Thin the AGS™ as necessary, but not too much or you will not be able to apply it in sufficiently thick layers.   Note: AGS™ can be applied by daubing as well as brushing. 

How to Use Accent Gold for Silver™

Method 1 – Firing AGS™ in a Kiln or Furnace

1. If AGS™ is to be used on an item made from silver clay, fire the item first per the manufacturer’s instructions and allow it to cool.  Do not burnish the fired silver piece before applying AGS™ so that the surface remains rough to promote good adhesion.  Be sure the area to receive AGS™ remains clean and is not contaminated with oils or fingerprints.  If it is, briefly re-fire it.
2. Apply AGS™ with a small clean artist’s brush and be careful not to get it on unwanted areas.  Be sure the brush is clean.  AGS™ can be applied either in one thick layer, or preferably, by building up several thin layers. 
3. If using several thin layers, refer to Step 5 in the following section on Torch Firing (see reverse side).  If using a single thick layer, then daubing of the paint is an alternative to brushing. 
4. In either case, dry the paint as described in Step 4 in the section on Torch Firing.  Do not dry the paint too fast or it may not adhere well to the silver after firing. 
5. If there is AGS™ on an unwanted area after drying, carefully remove it by scraping with a needle or small knife and return it to the bottle for reuse.
6. Now fire the piece by putting it into a kiln or furnace preheated to 1650F as described in the following step.
7. Exposing the piece to the proper temperature and time is essential to achieving good adherence of AGS™ to the silver.  The kiln shelf must already be in the furnace and at the firing temperature!  Using 18 inch long tweezers and a glove, lay the piece on the preheated kiln shelf, close the kiln door, wait until the temperature returns to 1650F +/- 20 degrees F, and then continue firing for 7 minutes.  (Refer to the safety precautions below.) 
8. You may fire multiple pieces at once, although the time required for the kiln to return to 1650F will be longer.  After firing for 7 minutes at 1650 +/- 20 degrees F, remove the piece and allow it to cool.  If coverage of the gold is not complete or has a faded color, apply more AGS™ in those areas, dry the piece, and re-fire it.
9. Burnish the gold layer with a polished burnishing tool.  A matte finish can then be applied with a wire brush, or a beautiful luster can be achieved by tumbling the piece with stainless steel shot in water.

Method 2 – Firing AGS™ with a Torch
The following instructions are provided courtesy of Tonya Davidson, who has used them with success.

1. Fire the piece per the manufacturer’s instructions in a kiln, by torch, or in a hot pot.
2. After cooling, remove the piece being careful being not to touch the areas where the gold will be applied. (Avoid oils from fingers.)
3. Add one or two coats of metal clay low fire paste to the areas where the gold will be applied.  The paste should be thick, like custard - do not water it down to a thin consistency.
4. Dry either naturally, with a hair dryer on low setting, or in a dehydrator.  Do not use a griddle or hot plate because they dry AGS™ too quickly and may cause poor adhesion to the silver.
5. Apply three coats of AGS™ in thin layers.  Two layers will yield a subtle gold application.  Dry each coat as described in Step 4.
6. Place the piece on a solderite torch board and dim the lights in the room.
7. Begin torch firing.
8. Once a medium-orange glow is present, continue firing for seven minutes.
9. Cool and burnish as desired.
10. If desired (not necessary), hold the piece with tweezers immediately after removal of the torch and use a Pyrex, agate, or steel burnisher to burnish the gold onto the surface of the piece.  This will add a final keum-boo method to the process.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
This product is non-toxic, non-irritating to most people, and generally safe to use.  If you experience a skin rash or itchiness after contact, discontinue use.  Wash your hands after each use.  If AGS™ gets in the eyes, flush them thoroughly with water and see a doctor to ensure that the gold powder and medium are completely removed.  To avoid burns when inserting pieces into a kiln and removing them, wear gloves*, safety glasses, and use a long pair of tweezers (18 inch is recommended).  Avoid prolonged exposure of eyes to the hot kiln, which in extreme instances can cause cataracts.  If you are concerned about the degree of eye exposure, wear #3 welding glasses.  *As long as your hand doesn’t get too close to the heated interior of the kiln, most any glove not made of synthetic materials is appropriate such as an oven mitt, leather glove or a specialized heat proof glove. Just keep a watchful eye on the glove to avoid problems. REMEMBER – Safety first!

Do not use this product in any manner except as described in these instructions.