Watch Bands & Rings
October 25, 2009
Whether or not a watch band can be gold electroplated depends entirely on the material it is made from. If it is made of stainless steel, most jewellers do not have the capability to electroplate the band adequately. If they can do it the plate would likely be quite thin and quickly wear through. Also, if the band has steel parts in it, electroplating solutions can be contaminated. You will find that it is quite difficult to find a jeweller who would attempt a watch band.
Jewellers often send watch bracelets out for plating, as well as rings, bracelets and necklaces. They will generally go to a plating company specializing in that type of work with high level equipment and experience to be able to electroplate thick enough for lasting durability. Jewellers often send items to us for estimates and to ensure they get the work done properly.
Unlike a watch band, gold plating a ring would not be difficult for any jeweller with gold plating equipment and solutions. Though, the thickness and durability of the gold plate cannot be guaranteed with most jewellery store gold plating services done in-house. For guaranteed results, we would suggest your items be sent to us at Pure Gold Plating.
Various items sold on internet auction sites for colouring metals and adding a microscopic silver or gold colour generally do not last long and are not effective overall. Purchasers of such items often find this form of plating will only last a few weeks, if that.
Rhodium is a precious metal often used in jewellery and is one of the six platinum group metals. Rhodium, as well as palladium, is a less expensive alternative to platinum. Palladium is becoming more widely used in place of rhodium due to its platinum-like appearance, excellent durability and cost. A very useful application for palladium is electroplating palladium over silver. Not only does this increase durability of the silver but ensures that the silver does not tarnish!
These plated finishes are hard wearing and may not need to be redone for many years if cared for properly.
What is Gold Plating?
July 8, 2009
What is gold plating? Typically, gold plating is the method of depositing a thin layer of gold onto a conductive surface, electrochemically in our case. The surface is normally a metal base which allows a current to be passed through it to form a complete circuit allowing the gold particles in the solution to bond with the item being gold electroplated, also called the cathode.
Plastics can also be gold electroplated but these must be made conductive first. This specialized technique is normally carried out by coating the plastic, and most other non-conductive items, with a silver conductive ink which is blown on using a compressor and spray gun.
Gold plating classification for gold plated thickness is as follows:
Gold flash is equal to 0.175 microns. For example, this is often used as a base coat onto nickel prior to being silver plated to enable a good bond.
Gold plate minimum thickness is equal to 0.50 microns. Used primarily as a decorative finish on items with minimal and infrequent handling.
Heavy gold plate is equal to 2.50 microns. For a long lasting gold finish on high wear items such as; watches, buckles, auto parts and jewellery. Normal thickness applied would range between 2.5 – 6 microns dependant upon the item and its intended use.
Our specially developed gold plating solutions are designed to be extremely hard and durable and a finish of just 5 microns is often more than adequate for long term durability of high wear items.
WW2 Spitfire ‘Merlin’ Engine
April 25, 2009
Photo above shows a camshaft part fitted to a Merlin engine.
Cam prior to cleaning and polishing.
Close-up of cam prior to cleaning and polishing.
Cam degreased & polished prior to electroplating.
Close-up of cam degreased & polished prior to electroplating.
Completed cam in 22 carat gold plate.
Close-up of completed cam in 22 carat gold plate.
Gold Plating Kits & Equipment
December 6, 2008
The basic kit for electro brush plating consists of the following equipment; rectifier, leads, wands, swabs & chemical solutions. This small plating kit will enable you to gold & silver plate (with the correct solutions & additional sundry items) but it’s no business as it stands. You will also need to make many additions to your kit as you go along & this can be costly.
We include all the gold & silver plating equipment needed in the complete ready to go business package we offer. We even include a double ended polisher complete with mops & compounds plus a top model professional ultrasonic cleaner & even provide you with a website & training with free ongoing support!
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This turns a very complete & capable gold & silver plating kit into a complete ready to go business for both static & mobile use.
- Full details on our gold & silver plating business opportunity.
- Our range of gold plating kits & equipment is in our online shop.
Gold & Silver Plating Business
December 6, 2008
Would you like your own gold & silver plating business? Have no experience? Don’t know where to start?
We offer a complete gold & silver plating business package for sale which, includes; training with real hands on experience, all gold & silver plating equipment & solutions including double ended bench polisher & ultrasonic cleaner, fully functioning website complete with 1 years free hosting on our dedicated servers, domain name of your choice (subject to availability), free 0800 technical helpline and full support throughout to help you achieve your business goals.
This is not a franchise & you will own your complete business outright & all your profits are yours to keep.
For full details & available options please see our business opportunity.
Gold Plating Taps & Bathroom Fittings
July 18, 2008
As part of our daily work we are often gold plating bath taps, sink, shower & bathroom fittings. The majority of these are old & simply cannot be replaced in order to match the existing set. If you’re lucky enough to find replacements it’s often more cost effective to have the old ones re-plated.
Gold is the most common precious metal that we use to brush electroplate bathroom fittings including the gold plating of copper pipe work. We can electroplate your items with any precious metal including; 9-24 carat yellow gold plate, 18 carat white gold, rose gold, platinum, silver & chrome.
A bi-metal effect can be achieved by simply plating the tap top in yellow gold & the tap body in white gold. Any combination is possible it’s all down to your personal preference. Please see our gallery photos for examples.
Please use our contact form for a quotation.
The photo above shows a customer’s recently restored 20 year old bathroom fittings. The customer’s comments on the work we carried out for them is below.
“Dear Pure Gold Plating,
The recently replated taps and fittings are now in place and, in the words of our plumber, look `magnificent’. We are delighted with your work, carried out in a friendly and efficient manner, and appreciate you going to the trouble of getting the extra bits required to finish the job properly. We shall certainly have no hesitation in recommending your services, as will our plumber who was very impressed.
Thank you once again for all your efforts.
Kind regards
G Nock”
More of our customer comments can be seen on our testimonials page.
