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Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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HARD GOLD PLATING

I AM A MANUFACTURER OF 22CT, 21CT 20CT AND 18CT GOLD ORNAMENTS. IN THE CASE OF 22CT GOLD ORNAMENTS WHICH IS 90% OF MY PRODUCTION THE METAL BEING TOO SOFT , IT LOOSES ITS POLISH GLOSS IF HANDLED A FEW TIMES. AFTER POLISHING THE ORNAMENTS I color THE SAME WITH THE PROCESS OF ELECTROLYSIS, WHICH GIVES IT A VERY DEEP GOLDEN color. THE ELECTROLYSIS BATH IS CYANIDE BASED. BUT THIS PROCESS DOES NOT GIVE A HARD COATING TO THE ORNAMENTS WHICH CAN BECOME SCRATCH FREE TO A CERTAIN EXTANT.

KINDLY ADVICE ME WHICH PLATING PROCESS SHOULD I USE. WILL THE USE OF HARD ACID GOLD SOLUTION BE USEFUL.

ANAND N. SANGOI
- Mumbai, India

Gold electrodeposited for a low pH "acid gold" bath will produce a harder surface, especially if it contains some cobalt. These baths can produce a very nice 24K gold color and you should ask your supplier about them.

Neil Bell
Red Sky Plating

Albuquerque, New Mexico

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