The group of platinum metals includes six different elements platinum, rhodium, iridium, osmium, ruthenium and palladium. Three of these are or were used for plating, they are as follows:
* Platinum – As one of the rarest elements on earth, platinum plating jewelry with this element is the most popular choice. Platinum has a beautiful looking grey-white appearance, plating rings and other piece of jewelry with this element completely transforms them into something spectacular looking.
* Palladium – This is the most popular alternative to platinum. It does look very similar in appearance to the untrained eye, but does not have the high quality finish of platinum. It is a little more durable, but will dull over time.
* Rhodium – No longer used due to platinum and palladium offering much higher quality finishes.
What is Platinum Group Plating?
This is the process of depositing a layer of rhodium, palladium or platinum onto a conductive surface. The surface needs to be a conductive metal to allow the plating to make a complete circuit. This is an important part of the process as it allows the electrolyte solution to form a solid bond.
There are different classifications of platinum plating depending on the type of finish required on the item being coated. These are broken down as follows:
* Light electroplating – The minimum amount of material which can be used to plate items is 0.5 microns. This is used to give a decorative finish to items which will not endure much wear or handling. It’s not appropriate for items of jewelry worn daily.
* Heavy electroplating – This requires using 2.5 microns and above. This provides a long lasting finish for items such as bracelets, rings, watches and other items handled and worn daily.
When using a heavy electroplating process you can expect your items to have a very high quality finish, look beautiful, and last a lifetime with proper care and attention.
Why Should You Platinum Plate Your Items
If you are considering what type of plating to apply to some of your most treasured possessions, there are a number of reasons why you may choose platinum. Platinum is one of the most durable precious metals, giving items a long lasting, beautiful appearance.
Platinum is also a truly white element, it will not need to be re-polished or re-plated like white gold does. You can handle your items daily and not see them fade, this is often the main reason people opt for platinum plating over gold.
For all your platinum plating needs use General Metal Finishing.
