Granulation
gran·u·la·tion | ˌgran-yə-ˈlā-shən
verb
The process of decorating a metal surface with tiny grains of metal
Granulation is a manufacturing technique that involves adding a number of granules of small precious metals to the surface of another piece of jewelry or sculpture. The technique was originally discovered in ancient Sumer and has been used for nearly 5,000 years, including by ancient Italy, Greece, and Phoenicia. Pieces with the technique can be found from across recorded history and most cultures. Several techniques are used to achieve the granulation effect including hard soldering, fusing, and colloidal or eutectic soldering.