History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c37.59

c37.59

In joining together the parts of jewellery, a certain amount of gold is lost with the pieces of solder which fly off before the blow-pipe; a little loss also occurs by volatilization, as the solders usually contain zinc. The operations of filing and cutting lead to a further loss by mechanical causes. But an appreciable loss of gold occurs during the chemical operations of the goldsmith, which consist in cleansing, colouring and polishing of the articles. The gold employed for making jewelleries is never pure, as pure gold is too soft for working An alloy of gold and copper is always used for the purpose.