Methods and purpose of Plating

Unlike a dye that penetrates a fabric, plating is a surface treatment only.

Purpose: white gold plating "rhodium plating" was introduced to enhance the brightness and the whiteness of white gold being plated to replica the look of Platinum.

Reason being: white gold, although being called 'white' is a very slight greyish white or a very subtle yellowish white, depending on the different white-based alloys that are mixed.

With the pure gold to change the colour and the carat of the gold from pure gold "24 carat", which is a rich golden yellow colour to a white gold metal.

Platinum: does not need plating because it is a natural bright white metal .

White gold: even though the most expensive of the gold metals, it is known as a poor man's Platinum. White gold was formulated years ago to give the Platinum look without the expense.

Advantages and disadvantages between the great whites.

The plating- replating process.

Method:
The jeweller needs to remove old plating and shallow scratches with fine emery. Not deep scratches, because you don't want to remove too much metal.

Emery and Polishing: This process can add to the wear of the piece being plated over time. White gold plating, depending on the wearer, should last approximately a year. Rhodium plating can be re-applied at a cost, but the cost depends on the size of the piece being plated.

The most common place for the plating to be noticeably wearing is at the back part of the ring. ( That is if the ring has a top). When the plating wears, it is a noticeable whitish grey to a very pale yellowish white. It is at this time generally, that your white gold ring is due for replating. It is always advisable to have your jewellery cleaned at least once a year complimentary by our experienced team. We will also be able to inspect your jewellery at the same time to suggest any attention that is needed due to wear and tear and avoid unnecessary cost.

Summary:
Platinum, even though initially considerably more expensive, it is something to be considered up against the ongoing costs of rhodium plating over the years.

If choosing to have your jewellery plated please confirm that you understand the advice above.

Black plating a surface treatment.

Black plating is a decorative treatment usually applied by request of the customer after undertaking the process of an engraved surface to visually enhance the design being engraved.

Unlike a dye that penetrates a fabric, black plating is a surface treatment only. It is a similar process and similar costing to rhodium white gold plating. However, where on a black plated piece of jewellery it is a lot more noticeable, for example, 'black plating on white gold' then that of a rhodium white gold being plated on a white gold, as these are of similar colour tone.

The black plating will be obviously more noticeable when it wears. So the customer may need to have their jewellery plated a little more often than that of white gold in order to keep up the look. On the other hand, the person may prefer the appeal and character of the rustic look that the wearing gives which might overall have a period look that the customer preferably desires. This rustic look only happens over time with the customer wearing the piece.

There are a number of factors that can accelerate the wear of black plating, and these may vary from person to person. It is impossible to ascertain how long plating will last on the piece being plated. It will be different from person to person. Below are some of the known factors that could possibly affect the platting on jewellery.

Please note: no jeweller can tell you exactly how long plating will last. It depends on the individual.

The wear factors: that are known:

1. Natural acid in the person's skin.
2. Aftershaves or perfumes, particularly with an alcoholic content
3. Acetone (such as in "nail polish remover")
4. General obvious wear and tear.

These are some of the known reasons black plating can wear off, and bear in mind, the possibility of others. Nevertheless, the plating can be reapplied with ease, at a cost, depending on the size of the piece being platted.

Summary:
The look unfortunately isn't without an ongoing cost. This is something for you to mindfully consider when deciding to have your piece plated black. A suggestion to consider and maybe discuss is enameling, but it also has its pros and cons.