Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Dark Black Plating on gold and steel items
2003
Q. I want to know how I can achieve the dark black color plated on gold jewelry and stainless steel surfaces .. I already tried The Degussa plating solutions 474 .. 470 (for black rhodium plating solution [adv: black rhodium plating solution on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , and black ruthenium plating solution ) but unfortunately both of those solutions give a dark gray Result ---NOT BLACK---- I tried to change the voltage and temperatures but it didn't work .. I prepare the surface very well :
1- We make magnetic tumbling for the item to be plated
2- then we make the polishing with the traditional fabric polishing discs and waxes.
3- We do ultrasonic washing for the items.
4- We do electrolytic degreasing and neutralization.
5- Through Rinsing by ionized water.
6- Steam Washing.
7- Dipping, Plating of the item.
Even after all those steps, still the result is dark grey. Now I come to know that the problem is not with the procedure that I use to follow but with the materials and solutions that I used. Kindly advise me of what is the best way and products that can be used to get the dark black plating on gold jewelry and steel items. Remarks : A friend of mine advised me to use black chrome plating, which is usually used to plate aluminium products, just I was wondering, is it advisable that I use black chrome plating for jewelry. Thanking You. Jihad Ali
Jihad Ali Abbasjewellery - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A. Dear Abbas,
Black nickel is better option then black chrome which has blackish appearance and secondly black chrome is more functional coating rather decorative and in most of the black chrome process you need a chiller also which is difficult to find in jewelry shop and then effluent treatment problem is also there . I think your friend needs some more classes in metal finishing.
Qutubuddin- Ajman, UAE
2003
A. Well , I agree with Qutubuddin, the better option is either anthracite nickel- which gives a rich black to anthracite finish and with a single additive you can adjust the colour, also easy to maintain for jewelry, whereas efficiency of black chrome is less and difficult process, go to Ajman and meet the above guy maybe he will help you out.
Praveen Kumar
plating process supplier
Mumbai, India
2003
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A. Many people are allergic to nickel. It is not recommended for jewelry.
Julie Richardson- Houston, Texas USA
November 1, 2016
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