Depletion Gild Surface
2 hoursHeat and pickle sterling repeatedly to bring fine silver to surface for reticulation.
Field context
This workflow is part of 1 niche field
Learn reticulation surface from scratch with a clear step-by-step workflow, recommended tools, safety guidelines, and expert tips.
Heat and pickle sterling repeatedly to bring fine silver to surface for reticulation.
Coat with borax flux and heat with large soft flame moving across sheet.
Direct flame to encourage ridges and valleys without melting through thin areas.
Saw or solder reticulated sheet to backing, protect texture during polish.
Repeated heat-pickle cycles dissolve surface copper, leaving fine silver skin.
Reticulation is unpredictable — master on 2×2 in scrap before committing to final size.
Pickle after reticulation dulls texture — use hot water and baking soda neutralization.
Depletion gilding produces copper fumes — use excellent ventilation.