PLATING OPTIONS
That sounds like a fantastic selection! Gold vermeil and rose gold vermeil offer a luxurious and warm finish, while rhodium plating provides a durable and reflective silver tone. Oxidation, on the other hand, can give a piece an antique or vintage look, which is perfect for those who prefer a more timeless or classic aesthetic. It’s great to have such a range of options to cater to different tastes and styles. Can you tell me more about the quality of the materials you use and the process behind each plating option?
Gold Vermeil
- Process: Vermeil refers to gold plating over sterling silver specifically. The silver is often coated with a layer of gold through electroplating.
- Gold Thickness: The gold layer in vermeil jewelry is thicker than traditional gold plating, usually around 2.5 microns or more.
- Durability: Gold vermeil jewelry offers a balance between durability and affordability, providing a thicker gold layer compared to gold plated jewelry but not as thick as gold filled.
Gold Plated
- Process: A thin layer of gold is electroplated or mechanically bonded onto a base metal, such as brass or silver.
- Gold Thickness: The thickness of the gold layer is an important factor in determining the quality and value of gold-plated jewelry. While 0.5 microns is common, high-quality pieces may have thicker layers, and the thickness can be several microns.
- Durability: It can easily wear off over time, especially if the jewelry is worn frequently or comes into contact with abrasive substances or chemicals. The durability also depends on the thickness of the gold layer; thicker layers will generally last longer.
Rose Gold
- Composition: Rose gold is an alloy of gold mixed with copper and sometimes a small amount of silver. The typical composition is 75% gold, 22.25% copper, and 2.75% silver for 18k rose gold.
- Color: The copper gives rose gold its distinctive pinkish-red hue.
- Durability: More durable than yellow gold due to the copper content, which makes it harder.
- Cost: Typically priced between yellow gold and white gold, depending on the exact gold content and design.
White Gold
- Composition: White gold is an alloy of gold mixed with metals like palladium, nickel, or silver to give it a white color. It is often rhodium-plated to enhance its whiteness and shine.
- Color: White with a slightly grayish tint, often made more brilliant with rhodium plating.
- Durability: Very durable, especially when rhodium-plated. The plating can wear off over time, requiring re-plating to maintain its appearance.
- Cost: Generally more expensive than yellow gold and rose gold due to the additional metals and plating process.
Sunrise Jewelry’s range of plating options allows customers to personalize their pieces according to their unique preferences and style. Whether someone prefers the timeless elegance of gold or the romantic allure of rose gold, or seeks the modern and sleek look of rhodium, or appreciates the character added by oxidation, these plating options enhance the aesthetic appeal and longevity of the jewelry pieces. Customers can choose the plating that best complements their personal taste and complements the chosen metals and stones for a cohesive and stunning final product.
