Gilding of silver: features and methods

Products made of silver with gilding have a pleasant value with a noble appearance. This is what usually attracts buyers. Products, of course, have not only positive qualities, but also negative ones. There are two methods of applying gilding, which differ in complexity. The durability of the coating directly depends on the care of the decoration.

Gold plated jewelry made of silver allows you to enjoy a noble-looking product at a more affordable price. Such jewelry has its advantages.

1. The general availability of products comes first. The cost of jewelry with gilding is much lower than gold. If the gilding of silver is done correctly, then it is almost impossible to find visual differences.
2. It is possible to experiment without any special financial costs. You can order a complex jewelry with engraving or an unusual pattern from a jeweler at a nice price. At the same time, gilding will make the appearance more attractive.
3. Silver cutlery is much lighter than gold. However, processing allows the use of high-quality products with an expensive look. Weight also matters for jewelry. So, a necklace made of gilded silver with stones will last longer than gold, due to its lightness.
4. You can restore coverage if necessary. If the gilding has deteriorated somewhere or just began to look less attractive, then any jeweler will help restore its former gloss. Restoration costs a lot, but it will certainly be cheaper than buying a new piece of jewelry.
5. It is possible to change the color of the coating. You can change the yellow gilding to white and vice versa. Also, the master can compact the layer.
6. Subject to all operating rules gilded silver serves for a long timewithout losing its original appearance.
7. Gilding is simply indispensable for parts of the clockwork and large equipment. So silver conducts heat better and becomes denser.

Gold-plated silverware is quite attractive and interesting. Before buying, it is worth taking into account the cons.

1. When using, you must constantly be on the alert. Products should not be in contact with water and skin. Jewelry should be removed before going to bed, going to the pool or playing sports. Substances that are found in the environment destroy the gilding layer.
2. Fine gold is used for decoration. It is very shiny. That is what gives out the gilded silver. For the manufacture of gold jewelry, less shiny alloys are used.
3. The decorative layer does not prevent metal oxidation. Traces of green or black may still remain from the product.
4. Gold-plated dishes require rather complicated maintenance. Do not wash it in the dishwasher and with chemicals. For cleaning, exclusively specialized solutions are used.
5. There is a great risk of acquiring a fake. It is quite difficult to determine the quality of gilding by eye. However, it is a test of gold over silver that affects the price of a product. For help, you can contact an independent jeweler immediately after purchase.

Almost any silver product can be gilded. Of course, jewelry comes first. You can cover chains, rings, earrings, pendants, brooches and similar things. Popularly gilding silver flashing icons. You can cover crosses, watches of any kind, blades, knives and swords. In other words, gilding is suitable for all silver products, regardless of their size.

You can gild the product at home using a chemical or galvanic method. Each of them has its own characteristics.

Plating is applied by test gold 925. Gilding allows you to make the product more valuable. The main coating method is the use of sodium, ethereal solution and contact with zinc. The galvanic method alone is the most effective.

To create a gold coating, silver is dipped in an aqueous solution of salts. Then an electric shock is performed. In this case, gold acts as an anode, and silver as a cathode.

Consider an exemplary galvanizing process.

1. Pour electrolyte into a small container.
2. Dissolve gold in a liquid.
3. Place the silver jewelry in the container and leave for a while. In the process, an electric current must pass through the fluid.
4. Oxides will begin to settle on the product. The layer is very thin.
5. Remove the jewelry and leave to dry completely.
6. Polish or coat with a special protective layer.

The layer is really very thin, but it is strong and durable. It is worth noting that the gold plating can be made thicker, there are no restrictions. Usually, the jeweler negotiates this moment with the client.

For gilding using this method, certain alloys are used.

1. Pure yellow gold. There are no additives in the alloy; metal 999 is used.
2. Gold is yellow with a little cobalt. The test is still the same, 999. The additive is needed exclusively for strength, it does not affect the appearance.
3. Red gold is also called Russian. You can also make pink, Italian. The latter has a little more yellowness. Shades range from copper red to pale pink.
4. Green gold. An alloy with the addition of silver or nickel is used.
5. White gold. The process of rhodium is used.

The final cost of the product depends precisely on which alloy is gilded.

The golden mean will be Italian or Russian alloy.

The process involves applying gold chloride to a silver product. Initially, gold is rolled into foil, and then crushed. Then the particles are lowered into the composition of hydrochloric and nitric acid. It is also called royal vodka.

Gilding at home is possible by following the step by step instructions.

1. To make a solution of 30 g of hydrochloric and 10 g of nitric acid of high concentration. 1 g of gold will require 10 ml of liquid.
2. Dissolution must be carried out in porcelain containers. The process takes from a couple of hours to 2-3 days.
3. After complete dissolution, evaporate the composition in a water bath at a temperature of 70-80 ° C. The result is a viscous liquid. Gold should be stirred during the evaporation process with a glass rod.
4. A silver object should be degreased with 10-20% sodium or boiled in a soda solution. Rinse in a 25% hydrochloric acid solution. Then rinse the jewelry with water.
5. Immerse the product in the composition. After some time, the item will be covered with gilding.
6. Remove from the container, rinse the jewelry. Wipe and polish with a wool cloth.

Additionally, it is worth noting that there are different ways to prepare the mixture for gilding by the chemical method. Yes, and gold can be used in different tests. The process is longer than when using galvanic gilding. When working with acids, all safety rules must be followed. It is important to carry out gilding in a ventilated room and using protective equipment.

The silver product is covered with a thin film after the procedure. It is decorative and quite sensitive to the external environment. Adverse factors include the following:

• contact with water and chlorine in it;
• aggressive chemicals;
• improper care of the subject;
• excessive friction on human skin, contact with sweat.

With daily use, you should pay a lot of attention to the care of the product. Excessive moisture leads to oxidation of silver.

Before cleaning or washing, remove the gilded ring. Interaction with aggressive and any other household chemicals accelerates the oxidation process. Before washing and going to the shower, it is also worth removing all the gilded objects. Increased friction thins a layer of gold to its complete abrasion. Before sports training, it is better to remove jewelry.

Some people claim that gilding is quickly erased from silver, and it does not make sense at all. However, there are simple rules of use that will allow you to enjoy the decorative layer for years.

1. Earrings, bracelets and chains should be removed before taking a bath. Do not allow contact with soapy water.
2. It is important to store gold-plated silver in a closed container, away from sunlight and high humidity. It makes sense to make interlayers between jewelry with rags made of soft material or use different boxes. So the products will not scratch each other.
3. Products must be cleaned, but only in the correct way.
4. Do not store jewelry in the bathroom or in the kitchen. High humidity will result in a loss of attractive shine.

The main assistants in cleaning jewelry with gilding:

• suede cloth;
• ethanol;
• vinegar.

Suede is designed for polishing. It can be used immediately after cleaning. Also, a suede cloth is useful if the decoration is worn every day. It should be polished in the evenings before being put into the casket.

Do not immerse the gilt product in a soda or soap solution. This will damage the decorative layer.It is allowed to put alcohol on a cotton pad and wipe the jewelry. If the contamination is significant, you can lower the product in acetic solution for 20 minutes or less.

It will give gilding shine and alcohol. You can also put the product in beer for 15 minutes for the same purpose. Regular purification of silver with gilding can be done with a light vinegar solution and lint-free cloth. It is enough to moisten a cloth and gently wipe the decoration. Strongly active cleaning is not worth it, as well as pressure.

The following video demonstrates the express method of gilding silver.