This paper documents the results of a research project for the Society of North American Goldsmiths. It describes fusion applications (gold painting), doublŽe, Keum-boo, depletion gilding (tumbaga, guanin), inlay and overlay procedures and it discusses fire gilding. Control factors for free compositional choice are defined and demonstrated. That is, the information is treated as a way of creating patterns and pictures by inlaying gold and other materials into metal surfaces. 44 pages. B/W diagrams.