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Longevity of blackened or anodized metals

April 15, 2009

I have a client who wants Black memorial bracelets (with names and symbols engraved on them),
that won't fade or lose color because of wear. Ever.
Any suggestions? She had the aluminum one, but the coating scratched off and faded to brown.
Which metal/process will hold up to that kind of wear? or is there another coating that will protect the surface?
any suggestions?
Many many thanks,
Meghan

Meghan Debouk
Jeweler - Hawaii

Hi, Meghan. There is no such thing as forever. Jewelry can eventually wear all the way through, let alone wear away the coating. But if the finish easily scratched and quickly faded, I doubt that it was anodized aluminum.

You could have the jewelry hard anodized to an inherent charcoal gray, or anodized and dyed black.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
April 16, 2009

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