Electroplating Terms

No-Plating is when the metal of the jewelry piece has no additional outer coating, and the metal is often polished to make it shiny and reflective.

Galvanic Plating is a process that uses electric currents applied to two opposite poles (negative & positive) in a tank of solution which contains the dissolved material of the coating. The product is attached to the negative pole and powered by a negative charge, while the metal dissolved in the solution is powered by a positive charge. The product then attracts the positive-charged metal in the solution, and thus, creating a thin coating of the desired material.

Vacuum/Ion Plating the product is placed in a vacuum chamber, which is pumped down to the desired vacuum pressure. The chamber is then heated to the target temperature to evaporate the material, which is sprayed onto the product, producing a thin layer of coating. It is more durable and wear-resistant than traditional plating methods.

Color Type

Single Tone is when a piece of jewelry has only one type/color of plating.

Two-Tone is when a piece of jewelry has two types/colors of plating.

Three-Tone is when a piece of jewelry has three types/colors of plating.

Plating Color Tones

Gold(14K) A coating of gold is deposited on the item using the galvanic method or IP process. It is mixed with other metals, usually silver or copper, to make it less expensive, harder, and longer lasting while preserving the brilliance of pure gold. 14k gold is 14/24 of pure gold, which is approximately 58.3% pure gold. Desired Beauty Essentials only offers 14K Flash Gold which is similar to gold coating; the difference being flash gold has a thinner layer of gold than the average gold plating and making it more cost-effective.

Rose Gold gets its rosy tint by mixing copper with gold. The ratio of gold to copper is usually 3:1, but varying percentages can be used as well, the intensity of the color differs according to the ratio of gold and copper. Jewelry with rose gold plating gives off a quality of elegance and femininity.

Imitation Gold is a coating of metal whose color looks like 14k-18k gold, making jewelry more affordable but at the same time keeping the good quality. Imitation gold has a tint of red and appears to have a reddish yellow hue.

Flash Rose Gold is similar to rose gold coating; the difference being flash rose gold has a thinner layer of rose gold than the average rose gold plating and making it more cost-effective.

Brown A brown coating gives a piece of jewelry the color of chocolate (dark) or coffee (light) brown. This color of plating is not commonly seen in jewelry and presents unique and exclusive statement pieces.

Silver is often coated on a base metal, such as copper, brass, white metal and nickel, to give it a silvery white, smooth and shiny finish. Silver plated jewelry often radiates purity and simplicity.

Rhodium is a noble metal with a whitish gray appearance, and it is typically applied to the metal through electroplating. A plating of rhodium is applied over either sterling silver or alloys to give a piece of jewelry a bright, glossy and long-lasting finish.

Imitation Rhodium uses a similar-looking material to substitute for rhodium. It makes the jewelry more affordable, but at the same time keeps the same appearance and quality as a rhodium coating. The black coating uses either ruthenium or TIN cobalt black to give a piece of jewelry a light black or completely black in appearance. It is very durable and resistant to scratches.

Black plating gives the jewelry piece a sense of masculinity and high-tech.

Special Color is a method of using tools to make marks on the surface of the metal. These marks have the same length and width, giving the metal a unique and special texture.

Other Finishes

Antique Gold is a type of plating that gives gold jewelry an aged and darkened appearance, which makes jewelry look exotic and valuable.

Antique Copper is a type of plating that makes copper jewelry an aged and darkened appearance, which makes jewelry look exotic and valuable.

Antique Silver is a type of plating that makes silver jewelry an aged and darkened appearance, which makes jewelry look exotic and valuable.

Matte Gold is a dull and frosted gold finish that can hide natural wear/ scratch, and be used in jewelry designs to give them a sleek and exquisite feel.

Matte Rhodium is a dull and frosted rhodium finish that can hide natural wear/ scratch, and be used in jewelry designs to give them a sleek and exquisite feel.

Matte Silver is a dull and frosted silver finish that can hide natural wear/ scratch, and be used in jewelry designs to give them a sleek and exquisite feel.

Brushed is a process of using quartz sand to polish a chosen metal (gold, stainless steel, etc.) under high pressure. This finish is an effective method for removing surface imperfections. In addition, it gives a pattern of fine lines parallel to the brushing direction that creates a distinctive look for jewelry.

Epoxy is a tough and resistant thermosetting synthetic resin that contains epoxy groups. It is strongly resistant to corrosive chemical heat, and ultraviolet light, and is widely used as surface coatings, laminates, and adhesives.

E-Coating provides protection and decoration for jewelry products. It is a method of painting which uses electrical current to deposit the paint. The process works on the principle of "Opposites Attract". This finish features low pollution, strong anticorrosiveness, and, smoothness.

High Polished Jewelry that has no plating is usually polished until they are reflective and shiny as a mirror.