What Is Keum Boo? The Ancient Korean Technique Behind My Silver & Gold Jewellery
- Laura Brown
- Jul 27, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 15
Keum Boo is an ancient Korean technique used to bond 24k gold foil onto fine silver using heat and pressure. I use this process by hand in my studio to create my handmade silver and gold jewellery.
If you have bought a piece of jewellery from the Achillea Collections, or follow my processes on Instagram, you may have wondered what gold I use and how the embellishments are applied to the silver pieces.
How Keum Boo Works.
The gorgeous 24k gold foil on silver, is an embellishment that I apply by hand using both heat and pressure (I have a small hotplate and two burnishing tools that allow me to bond the gold to the fine silver, it is an ancient Korean jewellery technique called “Keum Boo” or “attached gold”. I use this to create handmade mixed metal jewellery
I love (slightly obsessed with) the combination of the bright shiny silver and the rich warm tones of gold. Always inspired by Sunlight and the seasons and the feelings that come with them. I have also learnt that layering the gold can create depth and different gold tones just like the shimmering suns rays.
As you know I like to work mindfully and be sustainable, so the gold foil I use is conflict free gold from Japan “The foil is 100% recycled gold, which has been extracted from scraps of industrial use (ie. electric parts, plating), jewellery and dentistry. It is not sourced from conflict mines. “Aida Chemical Industries Co. Ltd (Japan) is recognised as Conflict-free Smelters which conforms to international guidelines set by CFSI (Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative)..”
By doing the keum boo technique myself, not only does it bring me joy and creativity it also means I can keep things in house in my studio, no outsourcing, There’s no waste and no harsh chemicals. I even keep the tiniest off cuts to use on the mini glimmer studs to add a “touch of gold”
You can follow this link to view the gorgeous "mini glimmer" studs
I have loaded a quick reel onto YouTube which shows the gold foil, how I can cut into any shape or design and how I apply it. The process does take time, and a lot of patience, but the outcome is so worth it! Click below to view.
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