Antique Silver Restoration
November 24, 2009
Antique restoration is a skill that requires great attention to detail and respect for the item being worked upon. Silverware ranging from antique hollowware, including cups, bowls, and the like and flatware such as trays, plates and dishes are all ideal candidates for restoration. Due to their age, antiques are often fragile and require a delicate hand. However, just as important, is the attention to preserving the original integrity of the piece. Interestingly enough, what gives an antique its charm and value, often referred to as patina, must be matched carefully when performing restoration. This way, the antique will be preserved rather than ruined.
One way to restore silver antiques is by re-plating the old surface with a new one. Commonly employing silver plating to do so, antique restorers will cover the old, damaged surface with a new coating of silver. Easy in theory but in practice a lot more work is usually involved. In the example photo below you can see how an item often comes in to us for restoration. This antique flatware required a large amount of prep work including four polishing stages before the electroplating took place.
Finally, the application of silver was done through a process known as electroplating. Electroplating involves coating a conductive surface with an electrolyte containing the actual silver. This is an excellent method to brighten up and restore new life to antique silver pieces such as silverware, bowls, teapots and like items. In preserving the original shape of the object, its function is preserved while its look is greatly enhanced as you can see in the image of the finished item below.
The trick with antique restoration is to take away or cover just enough of the damage in order to allow the natural age, and the beauty that comes with that age, to shine through. One must keep in mind that they are restoring rather than remaking. If the owner of the antique wanted a brand new sugar bowl for their table, they would simply go to the store and purchase a new one. Instead, they choose to retain their antique piece and, with a little gentle antique restoration, bring out its unique and original charm.
For more information, or if you would like your antique silverware restoring, please use our contact form.
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.
Platinum Plating
August 26, 2009
Platinum is an extremely rare metal, occurring as only 0.003 parts-per-billion in the Earth’s crust, and is 30 times rarer than gold. It is sometimes mistaken for silver but platinum is whiter in appearance.
Platinum plating is ideally suited to jewellery due to its beautiful bright lustre and long lasting durability and being 60% heavier than gold is also denser and stronger making it more resistant to damage. It will also retain its lustre longer as it does not tarnish.
Please use our contact form for a quotation.
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.
Pure Gold Plating Shop
April 27, 2009
We now offer a complete range of gold & silver plating machines & related equipment including gold & silver plating kits, ultrasonic cleaners, bench top polishers, mops & compound bars, spares & accessories.
For full details please see our online shop.
Why not purchase our complete Business Package? This is a complete ready to go business including all equipment, solutions, training, website & complete support for as long as you need us!
For full details please see our business opportunity.
