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Glite Dictionary
tombak

tombak

9.9
A metal made from copper and zinc that looks like gold in cheap jewelry
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : tombak
  • Many antique picture frames from the region are gilded using tombak instead of real gold.

Examples

  • The imitation gold chain was made of tombak, making it affordable but less durable.

  • Tarnishing is common with tombak jewelry due to its copper content.

  • The ring is made of tombak.

  • Many artisans use tombak for their jewelry.

  • Many antique picture frames from the region are gilded using tombak instead of real gold.

  • Tarnishing is common with tombak jewelry due to its copper content.

  • The imitation gold chain was made of tombak, making it affordable but less durable.

Synonyms

tombac
vstombak
  • Specialized
9.9

A metal made by mixing copper and zinc used to make cheap jewelry look like gold

is an alternate spelling for the same alloy
tambac
vstombak
  • Specialized
9.9

A metal made from copper and zinc used to look like gold in cheap jewelry

is a variant spelling for the same alloy
pinchbeck
vstombak
  • Archaic
9.9

A metal that looks like gold and is used for cheap jewelry

sometimes contains arsenic to alter color for gilding
oreide
vstombak
  • Archaic
9.9

A metal made from copper, zinc, and tin that looks like gold for cheap jewelry

uses arsenic instead, giving a different hue for gilding
gilding metal
vstombak
  • Specialized
8.2

A type of brass with more copper used for items that need a reddish gold look

is focused on imitating gold itself in cheap jewelry

Surface Forms

tombak singular
tombaks plural

Etymology

Tombak comes from words like Malay tembaga and Spanish tumbaga, which mean 'copper' and name a copper-based alloy used by people to work metal. So tombak is a copper-and-zinc metal that looks like 'gold', which explains why it is used to imitate or gild gold.