Mercury silvering

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Mercury silvering or 'fire gilding' is a technique for applying a thin layer of precious metal such as silver or gold (mercury gilding) to a base metal object. The process was invented during the Middle Ages and is documented in Vannoccio Biringuccio's 1540 book De la pirotechnia. An amalgam of mercury and the precious metal is prepared and applied to the object which is then heated, sometimes in oil, vaporizing most of the mercury. The technique is dangerous since mercury is highly toxic. Mercury silvering can be detected on through a variety methods.

[edit] See also

Mercury glass, a variety of reflective products having the element mercury sandwiched between two glass panes
Mercury mirror, a parabolic shape telescope dish having a layer of reflective mercury
Silvering, a technique to apply a thin layer of a precious metal to a base metal object