After silver has been fired, gold can be applied and vice versa, as one metal acts as a foundation for the other.
Mix one part of silver with two parts of unfluxed gold and you have green gold. For platinum effects mix liquid bright silver with Roman gold.
Nothing but unfluxed gold should be used with Belleek ware.
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The appearance of Roman gold when it comes from the kiln is Matt or dull. In order to bring out its natural brilliancy, scouring or burnishing is necessary. This can be done with a spun glass brush made for this purpose, or it can be burnished with a special sand. In case an article has to be refired, be sure to remove all of the glass fibres as they would ruin the decorations. The beauty of the unburnished gold will be destroyed by moisture from the fingers. If sand is used, moisten a soft cloth with water, and after dipping it in sand, rub the gold gently. After the gold is polished, the china can be washed. The china is underfired if the gold comes off in burnishing. The gold can be burnished more easily and more evenly if a coat of liquid gold is used in the first firing and Roman gold on the second.
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Cleanliness is one of the first requisites for success in using lustres. The brushes should be cleansed with Gold-Essence or Alcohol from all traces of one color before using another, and should not be allowed to dry containing any color. The corks should never be changed from one vial to another as the least contact of tints in the unfired state is liable to spoil the whole vial. The vial should be corked at once when not in use as the liquid evaporates rapidly; this will also guard against dust and upsetting.
A soft camel’s-hair brush, that can be dipped into the vial, will be needed; also a wad of cotton enclosed in a piece of silk to form a pad as for ordinary tinting.
Use great care in handling pieces tinted with lustre colors. Clean the china thoroughly, using alcohol, being careful to leave no finger marks on the piece. Dust in the brush, in the kiln or on the china will make blemishes. See that the work is not exposed to any dampness. After the work is completed handle as little as possible and if necessary to be wrapped, use tissue paper, not cotton. It is best to apply the lustre in the last firings. An even tint is obtained by several applications, but always fire for each application of the lustre. A second coat on an unfired coat of lustre will produce a blotchy effect.