Gold plating is a process of adding a thin layer of gold to another metal for a gold-like appearance, commonly used in jewelry and electronics. It can be done through electroplating or brushing gold metal onto the item. Gold plating is a low-cost alternative to solid gold, but the layer may wear off over time and can be restored through jewelry repair.
Gold plating is the process of adding a thin layer of gold to another metal to give that metal a gold-like appearance. In most cases, the gold layer is very thin, just enough to cover all exposed surfaces of the other metal. It is commonly used in jewelry decorations and plating.
The benefit of gold plating for jewelry is that it gives the look of gold, but doesn’t have the cost of gold. In jewelry applications, a gold plating is most commonly applied to silver. Therefore, jewelry actually includes two precious metals, rather than just one.
While many may commonly associate gold plating with jewelry, it’s not the only application for the practice. Gold plating is also commonly associated with electronic applications. This is done to allow for better conductivity and make things resistant to abrasion and wear, along with other benefits.
Gold plating can be done in a number of ways, including electroplating. This is done by placing the object to be plated, the cathode, in a solution, usually water. It’s connected to the negative side of a charge, like a battery. The donor for plating, the anode, is also placed in the solution, connected to the positive pole of the charge. Ionization occurs and the anode slowly dissolves, with the positively charged ions in the metal going to the negatively charged product.
However, gold plating, like most types of metal finishing, can be done in many other ways. Gold metal may be suspended in a solution, which is then brushed onto the item to be plated. The goal is to maximize the effect but minimize the amount of gold needed to do the job. It is a very low-tech solution that can be used by those who carry out small jobs in private.
Due to the fact that gold is such a soft metal and the layer over jewelry products is so thin, there will likely come a time when the gold plating wears off in spots. Jewelry, especially those pieces that are worn on a daily basis, tends to take a significant amount of abuse. Taking such items to a jewelry repair shop is the best way to restore them to their original shine. This type of repair is usually very inexpensive and may even be included in some service policies.
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