How is gold-plated jewelry made?

Gold plating is the process by which a thin layer of gold is applied to metals such as silver, steel, or copper, making the jewelry look like gold.

The process of jewelry gilding involves several stages, which are as follows:

Cleaning of the Base Metal
The jewelry must first be thoroughly cleaned to remove all dirt. This is very important, as dirt and oil on the base metal will prevent the gold layer from bonding properly. Steam cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning, and electro-cleaning are some methods used to clean the base metal in order to produce the best results.

Preparation of the Base Metal
After cleaning, the base metal is prepared by dipping it in a solution of metal activator. This step helps remove any residual dirt and oil from the surface of the metal.

Electrical Plating
Once the jewelry base has been processed and examined, the plating begins! The object is immersed in a water solution of metal salts containing gold ions. A positive electrical charge is used to bind the gold to the base metal of the jewelry. The thickness of the gold layer is measured in micrometers, ensuring that it evenly covers the entire surface of the gold-plated jewelry.

Finish
After the gilding process is completed, the jewelry is rinsed and dried. A final coat is then applied, which is a transparent coating that helps further protect the gold layer from tarnishing and wear.

It is important to note that the gold in gold-plated jewelry is real, and the thickness of the layer is measured in micrometers. Gold-plated jewelry should be handled with care to avoid scratches.