Black Gold — Fact vs. Fiction

|||||black gold

  Clients frequently ask me if I can design jewelry for them made in black gold. When I try to explain that black gold jewelry just isn’t a thing, they often send me advertisements from websites that offer it. When a jewelry company advertises “black gold,” this should raise a red flag.

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How to Care for Your Gold Plated Jewelry

Platinum, silver, and both 14k and 18k gold are not indestructible. Plated jewelry finishes are even more fragile because of the tiny layer of gold over the base metal. In my thirty six years as a Santa Barbara Jeweler I’ve found that all jewelry is vulnerable to the hard knocks of the physical universe. Rings…

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Black Rhodium Plating, Adding that "Pop" to your Jewelry!

Engagement Ring with three main diamonds and black rhodium

  White Gold, Hand Engraving and Black Rhodium Engagement Ring Rhodium is a very rare, naturally occurring member of the platinum group of metals – making it a very deluxe metal! Rhodium is actually one of the most expensive of the precious metals.  The price of rhodium can fluctuate, but generally an ounce of rhodium…

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Gold Electroplating vs PVD Coating

PVD plated gold watch band

PVD Coated Watch Band What’s the Difference Between Electroplating and PVD Coating? Walter came to me a year ago to gold-plate a silver chain he had. After a year of daily wear, the plating was coming off in places. When we had our first meeting he also showed me his watch. He was pretty ticked…

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