Abstract:This paper describes how various characterisation methods can be used to investigate the physicochemical and spectral properties of gold films in contact with glass or ceramic. The interface between the metal and substrate has been given special attention. The examples chosen to illustrate this include: liquid gold films (decorated and fired) or inlayed gold layers on ceramic wares and "sandwich" gold foils between two glass sheets for mosaic application. Characterisation methods include: microanalytical scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, ion beam analyses (PIXE: particle induced X-ray emission; RBS: Rutherford back-scattering spectrometry), photo-spectrometry and colorimetry. The adhesion mechanism and colour behaviour of the coated objects is discussed.Gold films coated on, or in contact with, oxides (glass or ceramic) have a great number of artistic and technological applications. Gold has been used to decorate ceramic and glass for centuries, e.g. mosaic art and more recently gold films are used in high technology areas to modify surface properties. In most applications, the colour is of great importance, and also the strength and durability of the films. The nature of the adhesion at the interface between coating and substrate is vital in terms of durability. Information about the adhesion mechanism may be obtained by a physicochemical investigation at high resolution.