Rhodium plating and platinum plating
Both processes involve electroplating, in which the piece of jewelery is given a wafer-thin metal coating through electrolysis. The process is used for silver jewelery to achieve a stronger shine and to prevent the typical dark tarnishing in the long term.
Rhodium and platinum both belong to the so-called platinum group and are also characterized by good hardness and consequently good durability, so that the pieces of jewelery are also less likely to be scratched. Therefore, white gold in particular is also liked rhodium-platedJewelry process Information about the jewelry process., especially since the rhodium plating lightens it up a bit - while the somewhat more durable plating can bring a slightly greyish tone. An exception is the black rhodium, with which it is possible to color the (silver) jewelry anthracite-black.
Both processes refine the silver jewelry, are hypoallergenic and of course not toxic to the jewelry wearer.
Oxidize ("vintage silver")
The typical black tarnishing of non-galvanized silver jewelry is due to the oxidation process, in which oxygen usually plays a major role. In the case of silver jewellery, in particular, this effect is deliberately desired in places and is brought about artificially. Due to the somewhat antique look of the oxidation, one often speaks of "vintage silver". Such pieces of jewelry should not necessarily be subjected to a silver immersion bath, because then this oxidation is temporarily lost.
dull
Every now and then, jewelry is deliberately not polished to a high gloss, but instead matted. Various chemical and mechanical processes are possible for this. Sandblasting is often used, which creates an evenly matted impression - when using mechanical aids (e.g. polishing or brushing), on the other hand, a matting is created in which the applied direction remains more or less clearly visible in a fine pattern. Be it lengthways, crossways or diagonally.
Depending on the application, slightly coarser or finer impressions are created. The so-called ice matting is now very popular for the wedding rings that are worn all the time. For this purpose, the surface is made by an experienced fine smith with diamond files and sandpaper "crossUpwind The cross is the central symbol of faith in Christianity. Read more ... and across ”scratched, so that later signs of wear remain inconspicuous.
Enamel
Enamelling is used to provide silver jewelry with colored surfaces. A heated and thereby melted glassy mass is fixed on the carrier material. In addition to the artistic effect desired in jewelry, enamel always has a protective function for the metal underneath.
There is enamel in all colors, be it glassy, full-colored or with glitter effects. It is applied by hand and it can be used to create wonderful color gradients and lively images on the pieces of jewellery.
Zirconia production
The process for making these artificial diamonds was developed in the former USSR in the 70s. The zirconium oxide powder is heated and melted. At the end of the process, a block is created, inside of which the crystals have grown. By adding certain elements, not only clear crystals, but stones in a wide variety of colors can be produced. It is also possible to create artificial inclusions.
The zirconia differ from diamonds by a slightly different light refraction and density, whereby a high-quality zirconia crystal can actually only be distinguished from a real diamond by measuring the thermal conductivity.