Chrysotypes anyone?

TheFlyingCamera · Jan 31, 2006

Has anyone here ever done any Chrysotypes (printing with gold chloride instead of Platinum/Palladium chloride)? I just saw a few samples online and read a formula for making your own, but I wondered if anyone here has experience with the process and some of its quirks.

psvensson · Jan 31, 2006

Gustavo Castilla is the one who's gotten them to work here - check out his gallery and recipe for cyanotype rex. I've tried, but got poor D-max and contrast range. Incidentally, I have gold chloride for sale in the classifieds section. That's my spam moment of the day.

Lukas Werth · Feb 1, 2006

I have printed with the New Chrysotype process of Mike Ware for years, began long before Mike Ware published his instructions about the process on his website.

CraigK · Feb 1, 2006

One of the most beautiful prints I own is a chrysotype made by Tony Mclean in England.

Tony helped me with the first draft of my how-to booklet and used the instructions to create the image on glossy bayta paper. He was kind enough to give me a print which now graces the walls of my livingroom.

You can see some of his work here

The image I have is of the starfish among the rocks.

EricNeilsen · Feb 6, 2006

Yes to Chrysotypes

Yes, I have made many Chrysotypes. It is similar to PT/PD printing but also invites you to play a little more with color interpretation. Gold prices have been going up quite a bit lately and the cost appeal that it once had has diminished a little, I still keep the goods in the darkroom.

Gustavo_Castilla · Jun 7, 2006

I used 8% and 1% AU solussion
The Humidity is what controls the color and contrast simillar to Zyatype

xtype · Nov 21, 2006

potassium tetrachloroaurate, K[AuCl4], (anhydrous) is a less expensive type of gold salt to experiment with if you can get it - works with both version 'P' and version 'S' of Mike Ware's new chrysotype formula.

Lukas Werth · Nov 22, 2006

Funny how sometimes threads pop up again. In the meanwhile, I have my website up (see below): there are quite some examples of chrysotypes, all executed according to Mike Ware's process (New Chrysotype).

I am currently at it again. In fact, while I type these words, a chrysotype is getting exposed here.

Xtype, where would one get the potassium gold salt? I mean, which industries are using it?

Jerevan · Nov 22, 2006

I just had to look up what the K[AuCl4] (CAS: 13682-61-6) costs, and www.sciencelab.com has it for the sum of $134 for 1 gram. Oops.

BTW: Really wonderful galleries, Lukas!

xtype · Nov 22, 2006

The cheap place for K[AuCl4] looks like Istanbul - a friend of mine just came back with 10 grams for which he paid 85 Euros - something like $100 - this was from a chemist supplying gold-plating supplies to jewlers. An 8 x 10 print could be estimated to use 0.1 g -

I'm trying to find out if there are restrictions on exporting this gold salt from Turkey - I'll pass on the info when I get it.

Loris Medici · Nov 29, 2006

xtype said:
The cheap place for K[AuCl4] looks like Istanbul - a friend of mine just came back with 10 grams for which he paid 85 Euros - something like $100 - this was from a chemist supplying gold-plating supplies to jewlers. An 8 x 10 print could be estimated to use 0.1 g -

I'm trying to find out if there are restrictions on exporting this gold salt from Turkey - I'll pass on the info when I get it.

Hi xtype,

I know the person you're mentioning, because it was me who guided them to the place to buy cheap gold! (I mentioned this compound about two years ago - I first used it in place of usual Gold Chloride for gold-thiourea toning Vandykes)

K[AuCl4] works perfectly with New Chrysotype.

Please let me know what you find about this issue since I'm very interested in exporting this compound for those who want to experiment / work with New Chrysotype - at a much reduced cost.

Regards,
Loris Medici (Istanbul)

xtype · Nov 29, 2006

There don't seem to be restrictions on sending it from the USA to the EU. What amounts are cost-efective to export for you?

xtype · Dec 1, 2006

OK - There are no restrictions on K[AuCl4] entering the EU, but V.A.T. will apply. I'm looking into a chemical supplier in the USA importing large amounts.

xtype · Dec 10, 2006

Loris Medici is now officially supplying the gold salt K[AuCl4] for use in chrysotype printing or gold toning - as of today the cost is $20 per gram plus postage, with a minimum order of 10 grams, for the powderd form. Pament accepted by SWIFT wire transfer, Western Union or Moneygram. He also offers a ready-mixed sensitiser solution with a 4:4:1 ratio. You can contact him at mail@loris.medici.name or click on his avitar above.

Loris Medici · Dec 11, 2006

xtype said:
Loris Medici is now officially supplying the gold salt K[AuCl4] for use in chrysotype printing or gold toning - as of today the cost is $20 per gram plus postage, with a minimum order of 10 grams, for the powderd form. Pament accepted by SWIFT wire transfer, Western Union or Moneygram. He also offers a ready-mixed sensitiser solution with a 4:4:1 ratio. You can contact him at mail@loris.medici.name or click on his avitar above.

Hello to all.

The above cost figure is rough, it depends on current gold prices and exchange rates (can go down to $18.5/g). Please always request a quotation.

I'm *NOT* offering a ready-mixed sensitizer since New Chrysotype sensitizer / coating solution will not remain stable more than 2 hours (at maximum). I'm offering a ready-made (100ml) 0.35M K[AuCl3] solution - which is indefinitely stable - for those who don't want to mix it themselves and/or for those who are afraid of ordering any powdered chemical from abroad - because of probable customs problems. The bottle(s) will be clearly labeled:

0.35M (13.23%) K[AuCl4]
(Potassium TetraChloroAurate)
Photographic Solution
for making New Chrysotype prints
and / or toning

Price for ready-made solution is price for the compound used to make the solution + $10 per bottle. (For instance, price for a 100ml bottle would be: 13.23g x $20 = $264.60 + $10 = $274.60.)

Minimum order amount for ready-made solution is 100ml.

Best regards,
Loris Medici.

Chrysotypes anyone?

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