• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.16
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• pp.46-55
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• 2015

This study examines the ratio of alloy components of six gold crowns discovered in six Silla tombs; Gyo-dong, the north tomb of Hwangnamdaechong, Geumgwanchong, Cheonmachong, Geumnyeongchong and Seobongchong. Concretely, the study looks at whether and how crowns from these various tombs differ in terms of the ratio of alloy components. The analysis of the six Silla crowns found that all of them were made of gold and silver alloy. When comparing the ratio of alloy components in crowns and type of crowns, the Gyo-dong crown which is the oldest of them showed the highest content of gold. Crowns from Hwangnamdaechong and Geumgwanchong in the middle to late 5th century, showed a similar content of gold. Gold content of crowns from the late 5th century to early 6th century tombs decreased in order Cheonmachong, Geumnyeongchong and Seobongchong, thus it confirmed that the older the tomb, the higher its gold content.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.221-226
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• 2018

The property changes of 18, 14, and 8K green gold alloys for jewelry are observed by adding 0.0, 3.0, and 5.0 wt% of indium (In), respectively. To check the composition of the alloys, an energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis is conducted. Color and microstructure analysis is executed through bare-eye, macro camera, UV-VIS-NIR-colormeter, and optical microscope. The melting point, wetting angle, and hardness are measured using TGA-DTA, a wetting angle tester, and a Vickers hardness tester. The EDS analysis result demonstrates that each of the green gold alloys was manufactured with purposed contents. The color analysis result shows that the color of the alloys is similar to the color of the conventional 4 wt%-Cd 18K green gold, and the green color improves as the In content increases. The micro structure analysis result demonstrates that grain refinement improves as the amount of In increases. Enhancements in the melting point, wettability, and Vickers hardness changes appear as the In content increases and Au content decreases. The hardness is up to 260, which implies good durability. Therefore, the results suggest that the proposed 18, 14, and 8K In-added green gold alloys enhance the properties of jewelry products with regard to the green color, castability, and durability.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.4-21
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• 2019

In this paper, 23 Silla gold earrings from the sixth and seventhand centuries, excavated from the Yeongnam region, were analyzed. Based on the silver content of the gold plate, they were classified into three types. The classifications included type I(20-50wt%), type II(10-20wt%) and type III (less than 10wt%). In the analysis process, the composition and morphological differences were identified on the surface of the gold plate. In the case of type I and II earrings, it was observed that the fine holes were concentrated in a relatively higher part of the gold content. The causes of the difference in the surface composition of the gold plate were divided into four categories: 1) surface treatment, 2) thermal diffusivity in the manufacturing process, 3) differences in composition of alluvial gold, and 4) the refining method of gold. It is possible that depletion gilding was attempted to increase the gold content while intentionally removing the other metals from the surface of the gold alloy in the portion where the gold deposit is relatively concentrated on the surface of the gold plating. The highest copper content was detected in the earring with the highest gold content of the analyzed earrings, and it was assumed that thermal diffusion had occurred between the gold plate and the metal rod during the manufacturing process rather than intentional addition. Copper was detected only in the thin ring earring type, and copper was not detected in the thick ring earring type or pendant type. It also proves that this earring has a high degree of tightness at higher temperatures, as there was an invisible edge finish on other earrings and horizontal wrinkles on the gold plate surface. In terms of the material of the gold plate, we examined whether the silver content of the gold plate was natural gold or added by alloy through analyzing the alluvial gold collected in the region. As a result of the analysis, it was found that on average about 13wt% of silver is included. This suggests that type II is natural gold, type III is refined gold, and type I seems to have been alloyed with natural gold. Here, we investigated the refining method introduced in the ancient literature, both at home and abroad, about the possibility of alloying silver after the refining process of type III earrings and then making pure gold. It was found that from ancient refining methods, silver which had been present in the natural gold was removed by reacting and combining with silver chloride or silver sulfide, and long-term efforts and techniques were required to obtain pure gold through this method. Therefore, it was concluded that the possibility of adding a small amount of silver in order to increase strength after making pure gold through a refining process is low.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.571-577
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• 1995

Several acid-sulfate clay deposits associated with silicic magmas occur in the Haenam area of the southwestern part of Korea. Geology of the studied area consists of tuffs, granitic rocks, quartz porphyry, rhyolite, andesite and sedimentary rocks. The granitic rocks and quartz porphyry intruded tuffs and sedimentary rocks. The rhyolite and tuffs around the mines have undergone hydrothermally weak or strong alteration. Gold contents with major and trace elements have been determined for a total of sixty-seven specimens of fresh igneous rocks, wall rocks and minerals such as dickite and alunite by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma. Gold is enriched in the alunite vein and the silicified zone, but is depleted in dickites and hydrothermally altered rocks with dickite of the Seongsan deposit. Gold is especially concentrated near the faults or conjunction area of two faults. High content of gold is shown in the mineral assemblages of alunitequartz- pyrite in the alunite vein and silicic zone of the Seongsan deposit compared with that of minerals and rocks from another deposits distributed in the studied area. Gold content in tuffs and dickites with pyrite is generally low. Gold content in silicified tuff tends to show positive correlations with content of As, Hg and Sb. Variation trends of Cd, Hg and Sb are similar to those of gold content. From the result of gold content variations, gold may be transported and concentrated by mineralizing solutions ascending along the cracks like fault. Therefore, it is important to survey alunite vein and silicified zone at the conjunction of faults, and to analyze pathfinder elements such as As, Hg and Sb for geological and geochemical exploration of gold in the studied deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.257-267
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• 1996

One hundred of thirty volcanic rocks col1ected from the Jeju island， Jeongog， Guryongpo and other areas were analyzed for major elements and trace elements with Au by inductively coupled argon plasma and graphite furnace atomic absorptiom spectrometry. The Au content is the highest values (0.2~43.4 ppb, average; 10.34 ppb) from the Jeju island volcanic rocks and the lowest (0.5~11.0 ppb, average; 1.23 ppb) from the Guryongpo volcanic area. The content of Au tends to be higher in the Quarternary volcanic rocks than Tertiary or Cretaceous volcanic rocks. The Au content of the calc alkali volcanic rocks tends to increase from mafic to felsic volcanic rocks, but that of the alkalic volcanic rocks tends to increase from felsic to mafic volcanic rocks. The Au content of the volcanic rocks collected from the Jeju island shows the highest values in the feldspar olivine basalts. Elements or oxides which have positive or negative correlations with Au are Ag, Mo, Rb, V, Y, $K_2O$, MgO and $SiO_2$, but other elements analyzed are not shown correlations with Au. It has a tendency to show that samples from the Jeju with 5 ppb gold and more are plotted in the non-Dupal area and those with less than 5 ppb gold in the Dupal area, while those from the Jeongog with 5 ppb gold and more are plotted in the Dupal area and those with less than 5 ppb gold in the non-Dupal area, in the Ba/Nb-La/Nb, Zr/Nb-Ba/Nb diagrams. It shows that samples from the Jeju and Guryongpo with high gold content are plotted in the within-plate, while those with low gold content are plotted in the arc-related area, and those from the Jeongog are scattered in the $TiO_2-Al_2O_3$, $Zr/A1_2O_3-TiO_2/Al_2O_3$ diagrams.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.367-380
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• 1988

Most of the gold (-silver) vein deposits at Yeongdong District are mainly distributed in the precambrian metamorphic rocks. Based on the Ag/Au total production and ore grade ratios, the chemical composition of electrum and the associated sulfides, the gold(-silver) deposits at Yeongdong District may be classified into 4 classes: pyrrhotite - type gold deposits( I), pyrite - type gold deposits (IT A; massive vein), pyrite - type gold deposits (II B; nonmassive vein) and argentite - type gold - silver deposits(III). The chemical study on electrum(including native gold) revealed that Au content (2.8 to 92.4 atomic%) of electrums varies very widely for different classes of deposits. The Au content of electrum associated with pyrrhotite (Class I), ranging from 47.1 to 92.4 atomic% Au, is clearly higher than that associated with pyrite (Classes IIA, IIB and III). In contrast, classes I, II, and III deposits do not show clear differences in Au content of electrum. In general, pyrrhotite - type gold deposits(I) are characterized by features such as simply massive vein morphology, low values in the Ag/Au total production and ore grade ratios, the absence or rarity of silver - bearing minerals except electrum, and distinctively simple mineralogy. Although the geological and mineralogical features and vein morphology of pyrite - type gold deposits(IIA)are very similar to those of pyrrhotite - type gold deposits (I), Class II A deposits reveal significant differences in the associated iron sulfide (i. e. pyrite) with electrum and Au content of electrum. The Ag/Au total production and ore grade ratios from Class II A deposits are relatively slightly higher than those from Class I deposits. Pyrite - type gold deposits(II B) and argentite - type gold - silver deposits (III) have many common features; complex vein morphology, medium to high values in the Ag/Au total production and ore grade ratios and the associated iron sulfide (i. e. pyrite). In contrast to Class II B deposits, Class III deposits have significantly high Ag/Au total production and ore grade ratios. It indicates distinct difference in the abundance of silver minerals (i. e. native silver and argentite). The fluid inclusion analyses and mineralogical data of electrum tarnish method indicate that the gold mineralization of Classes I and II A deposits was deposited at temperatures between $230^{\circ}$ and $370^{\circ}C$, whereas the gold (-silver) mineralization of Classes ITB and ill formed from the temperature range of $150^{\circ}-290^{\circ}C$. Therefore, Classes I and IT A deposits have been formed at higher temperature condition and/or deeper positions than Classes IIB and III.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.194-201
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• 2024

In this study, the surfaces of two gold nanoparticles of different shapes were modified with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and used for contact lenses. The polymer was based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and spherical and sea urchin-shaped gold nanoparticles were used as additives. CTAB was used to modify the surface of the sea urchin-shaped gold nanoparticles. To analyze the physical properties of the prepared contact lens, optical transmittance, refractive index, water content, contact angle, and atomic force microscope (AFM) were measured and evaluated. The results showed the nanoparticles did not significantly affect optical transmittance, refractive index, or water content of the lens, and tensile strength increased according to the ratio of the additive. The addition of the sea urchin-shaped nanoparticles resulted in lower wettability compared with the spherical nanoparticles, but somewhat superior tensile strength. In addition, it was found that the wettability of the lens was improved when the surface-modified sea urchin-shaped gold nanoparticles were added. The types of gold nanoparticles and surface modification methods used in this study are considered to have great potential for use in ophthalmic materials.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.223-234
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• 1988

A large number of gold and/or silver-bearing quartz veins occur in or near Mesozoic granite batholith elongated in a NE-SW direction within the Chungcheong Province. Precambrian schists and gneisses, and Jurassic and Cretaceous granitic rocks serve as hosts for gold and/or silver deposits. On the basis of Ag/Au total production and ore grade ratio, 15 mines may be divided into three major groups: gold-dominant deposits, gold-silver deposits, and silver-dominant deposits. The chemical composition of electrum from skarn deposit (Geodo mine), alaskite-type deposit (Geumjeong mine) and 15 vein deposits was summarized. It was found that the Au content of electrum for vein deposits ranging from 5.2 to 86.5 is lower than that for skarn and alaskite deposits. Among 15 vein deposits, the composition of electrum associated with pyrrhotite is relatively high and has a narrow range of 40.8 to 86.5 atomic % Au, but the Au content of electrum with pyrite is in range of 5.2 to 82.8 atomic %, and is clearly lower than that with pyrrhotite. The grouping of ages for these mines indicates that gold and/or silver mineralizations occurred during two periods in the Mesozoic. Daebo igneous activities are restricted to gold mineralization in the range of 158 to 133 Ma, whereas Bulgugsa igneous activities are related to gold and/or silver mineralization ranging from 108 to 71 Ma. Generally speaking, Jurassic gold-dominant veins have many common characteristics; notably prominent association with pegmatites, simply massive vein morphology, high fineness in the ore concentrates, rarity of silver minerals, and a distinctively simple mineralogy, including sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and/or pyrite. Although individual deposits exhibit widely differing diversity, Cretaceous gold-silver and silver-dominant veins are characterized by features such as complex vein, low to medium fineness in the ore concentrates and abundance of silver minerals including Ag sulfosalts, Ag sulfides, Ag tellurides and native silver.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.381-385
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• 2017

In order to replace 14K white gold alloys, the properties of 5K white gold alloys (Au20-Ag80) were investigated by changing the contents of In (0.0-10.0 wt%). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to determine the precise content of alloys. Properties of the alloys such as hardness, melting point, color difference, and corrosion resistance were determined using Vickers Hardness test, TGA-DTA, UV-VIS-NIR-colorimetry, and salt-spray tests, respectively. Wetting angle analysis was performed to determine the wettability of the alloys on plaster. The results of the EDS analysis confirmed that the Au-Ag-In alloys had been fabricated with the intended composition. The results of the Vickers hardness test revealed that each Au-Ag-In alloy had higher mechanical hardness than that of 14K white gold. TGA-DTA analysis showed that the melting point decreased with an increase in the In content. In particular, the alloy containing 10.0 wt% In showed a lower melting temperature (> $70^{\circ}C$) than the other alloys, which implied that alloys containing 10.0 wt% In can be used as soldering materials for Au-Ag-In alloys. Color difference analysis also revealed that all the Au-Ag-In alloys showed a color difference of less than 6.51 with respect to 14K white gold, which implied a white metallic color. A 72-h salt-spray test confirmed that the Au-AgIn alloys showed better corrosion resistance than 14K white gold alloys. All Au-Ag-In alloys showed wetting angle similar to that of 14K white gold alloys. It was observed that the 10.0 wt% In alloy had a very small wetting angle, further confirming it as a good soldering material for white metals. Our results show that white 5K Au-Ag-In alloys with appropriate properties might be successful substitutes for 14K white gold alloys.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.403-416
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• 1997

In order to observe the localization of the specific antigenic protein in the tissue of Paragonimus westermani metacercaria, immunogoldlabeling method was applied using IgG of the dog which were infected with Paragonimus westermani metacercaria and IgG of rabbits which were immunized with purified 23 kDa protein from metacercaria of the Paragenimus westermani. The metacercaria worm tissues obtained from Cambaroides similis were embedded in Lowicryl HM20 medium, treated with infected and immunized IgG and protein A gold complex (particle size; 12 nm) and observed by electron microscope. In the tissue antigen of Paragonimus westermani metacercaria, the content of excretory bladder which was highly dense electron density was constituted in the excretory bladder of the parenchymal tissue. In the metacercaria tissues antigen reacted with IgG of infected dog. Labeled gold particles distributed on the interstitial matrix of parenchymal cells, fibrous granules of parenchymal tissue and the content of excretory bladder. High antigenicity was observed on content of excretory bladder. It was found to be specifically distributed at the tissue of Paragonimus westermani metacercaria. In the tissues antigen reacted with IgG of immunized rabbit. Labeled gold particles randomly distributed on the interstitial matrix and fibrous granules of parenchymal tissue but in the content of excretory bladder of Paragonimus westermani metacercaria, gold particles were richly labeled. Therefore, the 23 kDa protein contained with Paragonimus westermani metacercaria was found protein which was specifically constituted at the content of excretory bladder of Paragonimum westermani metacercaria. The 23 kDa protein was commonly contained from of Paragonimus westermani metacercaria to adult and showed strong antigenicity against the immunized and infected IgG.