Gold Plated iPod Nano

The iPod Nano is a portable media player designed and marketed by Apple. The iPod Nano has gone through five models, or generations, since its introduction. The current fifth generation supports FM radio, video recording, a microphone for voice memos, a pedometer, and a slightly larger screen than that of the previous generation.

The iPod we have recently 24 carat gold plated is the 4th generation iPod Nano and can be seen in the picture blow.

Due to the construction of the unit and the process involved of preparing the aluminium casing for the gold plating process, the iPod had to be completely disassembled. Only then could the pink aluminium body be de-anodized, polished and nickel plated before being ready to accept the final 24 carat pure gold plating.

Although any iPod can successfully undergo the gold plating process, there are a few things to take into consideration when attempting to do so. Some iPods are simpler than others to gold plate. For example, iPods with a stainless steel back can be electroplated safely and easily without taking the unit apart.

This whole process of disassembly does, of course, void any guarantee in force with Apple.

Jewellery Makeover

It is becoming increasingly common for our customers to request a jewellery makeover. This involves electroplating a precious metal over an existing precious metal, or even over non-precious metals such as stainless steel as can be seen in the images below. The image below shows the stainless steel ring polished prior to gold plating.

Currently platinum over gold is very popular as is silver over copper. We can give your existing jewellery a makeover in any of the following precious metals; 9-24 carat yellow gold plating, white gold, rose gold, platinum, palladium and silver. We can even selectively plate your treasured piece in a combination of precious metals, for example, gold and platinum for a 2-tone finish. See our gallery for examples.

The following image shows the ring in its completed state – 9 carat gold plated.

Palladium is one of the six platinum group metals and is becoming increasingly popular due to its platinum-like appearance. Palladium is a less expensive alternative to platinum and offers excellent durability.

Having a jewellery makeover will not only greatly enhance its beauty and give it a new lease of life but is hard wearing and will last for many years if cared for properly. If you would like a quotation or advice please use our contact form.

Gold Plated SAS Knife

The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife pictured below shows the typical before and after images of the type of work we can do and the finish we can achieve. The image below shows the knife prior to stripping, polishing and electroplating.

The following image shows the completed knife which has had the blade thick nickel plated with a 24 carat gold plated grip.

The knife is double-edged with a foil grip developed by William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes in Shanghai before World War II. This was made famous during the War when issued to British commandos, including the SAS. The knife is so symbolic of British Commandos that a solid gold Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife is part of the commandos’ memorial at Westminster Abbey. The knife features in the insignia of the Dutch Commando Corps, founded in the UK during WWII, the Australian 2nd Commando Regiment, and also the British Royal Marines.

Platinum Plating

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?

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

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.

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 on this business opportunity please click here.

Gold Plating Taps & Bathroom Fittings

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 here on our testimonials page.

Brush Plating History

Brush plating was originally conceived in Paris, France in 1938 by Georges Icxi.

Since then brush plating has evolved from the simple touch-up of tank plated parts to a wide variety of repair and surface enhancement applications. Mr. Icxi was joined by Mr. Daloze and together they created the first commercial brush plating process in 1945.

They were granted a French patent for their work in 1948.