Electrostripping

Jewelry Discussion
#1

Hey All:

Again, thanks to those who gave me info on sterling sheet and
casting grain. Next question:

Listed in the Contenti catalog is a plating rectifier. It states
that it is also big enough to do electrostripping. Ok, now the
question is if I electrostrip a gold plated on base metal item, does
it only remove the gold plate? also, where does the gold that was
stripped go- if it remains in the solution, can it be used to replate
something else? This may be a stupid question that is obvious but I
have searched the web on on how these things work but to
no avail. I’m pretty intelligent that by looking at the items
available in the contenti catalog i can kind of figure out how the
plating is achieved and what is needed, but i would still like more
info on it. Thanks again- hey someday I might be able to help someone
else!

Mical in not even close to being “jewelers heaven” Michigan!
@Mical_Leeth

#2 
   Ok, now the question is if I electrostrip a gold plated on base
metal item, does it only remove the gold plate?

No. It will probably attack the base metal once it gets through the
gold.

     also, where does the gold that was stripped go- if it remains
in the solution, can it be used to replate something else?

Some remaiins in solution, some gets deposited on the anode.
Remember that base metals are also taking into solution, and that the
stripping solution is not optimized for elextroplating. So attempts,
after the stripping solution is well saturated with gold, to reverse
polarity and redeposit the gold as a goold electroplate won’t work
well. The solution is not designed as a plating bath, and won’te
function well in that rile. You CAN plate out the gold if what
you’re trying to do is reclaim it for refining or the like.

Peter Rowe