Otto Kunzli by way of Tiffany & Co

I think if I was to buy sterling silver plated with chrome, I
would not buy it. It’s kinda like brass plating gold. I believe
that the precious metal is what is important in a handcrafted item.
People appreciate that. Even if it takes a little more to keep it
nice, a real item is better to me. How about every one else?

One of the most brilliant uses of gold in jewellery is Otto
Kunzli’s, “Gold makes you blind”. Perhaps there is design mileage
in plating base metals onto jewellery metals? Where does mokume
stand in this? Does gilding silver in some way debase the gold or
the silver?

It’s not the metal that figures but the design and the skill with
which the design is executed.

In response to the original question, chrome plating would look
exactly like that: chrome. Rhodium is slightly better looking and
can legally be laid over hallmarked precious metal. Best of all is
electrophoretic lacquer which doesn’t change the colour of the
metal underneath and is very hard-wearing, if a bit of a nightmare
to apply.

Dauvit Alexander,
Glasgow, Scotland.

 Best of all is electrophoretic lacquer which doesn't change
the colour of the metal underneath and is very hard-wearing, if
a bit of a nightmare to apply.

Dauvit,

Can you tell more about this. All lacquer’s I’ve tried,
although they don’t change the color, leave the metal looking
like it’s plastic coated which isn’t attractive. How much of a
nightmare is this and what special equipment is needed? Thanks,

Nancy

Can you tell more about this. All lacquer’s I’ve tried,
although they don’t change the color, leave the metal looking
like it’s plastic coated which isn’t attractive. How much of a
nightmare is this and what special equipment is needed? Thanks,

I don’t know any details about it except that I have seen it in
practice at a large manufacturer’s workshop here. It is ‘plated’
onto the metal like any other plating process and then baked in an
oven and I seem to remember UV light being used. I just assumed
that the process would be well-known in the states.

The problems come because all temperatures and times are
ultra-critical and the tank must not become contaminated with
organic matter or it stops working.

Sorry I have no further info. for you.
Dauvit Alexander,
Glasgow, Scotland.

Can you tell more about this. All lacquer’s I’ve tried,
although they don’t change the color, leave the metal looking
like it’s plastic coated which isn’t attractive. How much of a
nightmare is this and what special equipment is needed? Thanks,

You might try Rio Grande or Gesswein. I saw them demo a unit at
Tucson that electrocleans, plates on a clear protective coating &
then sets the coating by baking, all automatically. If I remember
correctly it was about $900.

HTH

Dave