[Jewelry making - Article 01647] - [Orchid] Repairs on imported gold

[Carrie Nunes]

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Hi all,

    I have been doing repairs for a store. The owner makes jewelry and
    uses a good amount of imported gold chain and components. Some of
    these I believe are coming from India, but probably from some other
    countries too. Sometimes she wants me to solder on a jumpring,
    assemble or modify some of the components. These are usually
    presented as being 18K to 22K. I have not taken my tester to these
    pieces but they do behave like high karat gold when I heat them and
    work with them. I have had some recurring trouble maintaining the
    finishes on these items. Any items of course that you flux, solder
    and pickle are going to change color. Many of these components have
    very rich gold color and by the time I am done they are much
    lighter. I have tried depletion gilding which helped a little. But I
    suspect these items may have been flash plated or washed with a 23K
    or 24K wash. I am not positive but it is my suspicion. I know you
    folks that do much repair run into this problem, especially with imp
    orted chains, and wondered if you had any advice. Maybe I will have
    to invest in a plating pen just to have on hand. It is frustrating
    not to be able to return the items with the same rich color that my
    client expects. 

    I appreciate any thoughts or advice you can share. 

Thanks-Carrie Nunes
www.carrienunes.com
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