Depletion gilding is a surface treatment accomplished by continually heating sterling silver and placing in an acidic solution called “pickle”. Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% fine silver and 7.5% copper. Heating and pickling sterling silver removes copper from the surface of the alloy, allowing the fine silver to show up more prominently. The result is a white satiny finish on the surface of the silver. Depletion gilding lasts longer on sunken/protected areas on jewellery since it can be burnished off of the surface of the metal.
The Poppy brooch by Zoey Perse features depletion gilding in the sunken areas of the petal. The contrast of the satiny white petals against polished silver makes them the focal point of the brooch.
The Orchid necklace by Jamie Rosario is a fully depletion gilded pendant with burnishes edges that accentuate its curvilinear design.