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Q&As since 1989


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Anti tarnish for silver plated jewelry

We are looking for information on how to get a good anti tarnish equipment for silver plated jewelry.We want to have them plated and be sure that they would have an excellent coating.

Glaucia C [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
jewelry manufacturer - coconut creek, Florida, usa
2004

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Try to get a copy of the May issue (2004) of Plating & Surface Finishing (from NASF if a local library can't get it), Glaucia. The article there, "The Protection of Silver Against Atmospheric Attack", briefly introduces the eight competing technologies and their advantages and disadvantages.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004

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Hello,

We are producing sterling silver jewelry collection that will be sold in the Far East where silver oxidizes quickly.

We are looking for a anti-tarnish treatment for sterling silver with a slightly oxidized finish. We are not interested to use a lacquer as it could peel and crack off.

I have heard of a process call 'Passivation' can you tell me more about it? How is it done and where can we get it?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Sincerely,

ROBIN K [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
jewelry designer and consultant - Geneva, Switzerland
2004

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April 9, 2008

Hi, Robin. A word like 'passivation' is rather general and can mean different things for different metals. When speaking of stainless steel, 'passivation' is a process that oxidizes the material while dissolving some of the iron. When speaking of zinc, 'passivation' is a chromate conversion process that improves the corrosion resistance. When speaking of silver, it's not clear if this is mean to mean a chromate conversion coating process or something else. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey