Silver, stainless steel, brass, copper and gold alloys.
When the surface is technically suitable, these metals can often be prepared appropriately and gold plated.
Gold plating by material
Which metals can be gold plated?
Silver, stainless steel, brass, copper and various gold alloys can often be gold plated to a high standard. The material name alone is never enough: existing coatings, surface condition, geometry and intended use determine the appropriate layer structure.
Photo firstMaterial and condition are assessed before shipment.
No blanket yesEven a generally suitable metal can be unsuitable in a specific case.
1 / 3 / 5 µm hard goldLayer thickness depends on use and expected wear.
14 / 18 / 24 caratThe final color-gold layer determines the visible gold tone.
Quick classification
Three categories instead of blanket material lists.
The key distinction is not simply “metal or not”, but whether the base material, existing surface and intended use allow a reliable layer structure.
Chrome, bronze, platinum, palladium and unknown existing coatings.
Here, alloy, existing layers, surface condition and geometry strongly influence the appropriate process.
Aluminum, titanium, die-cast zinc, PVD-coated parts and non-metals.
LAFFARTS does not accept aluminum, titanium, die-cast zinc or PVD-coated parts for standard electroplated gold finishing. Non-metallic objects are also outside the regular galvanic service.
Material by material
How the most important base materials differ.
Silver
Silver is an excellent base for gold-plated jewelry. Before plating, the surface and existing coatings are assessed and a material-specific adhesion and barrier structure is added where required.
Silver in detailStainless steel
Stainless steel is suitable for many jewelry, watch and metal parts. Proper activation and an appropriate adhesion layer are essential before the gold layer is built up.
Stainless steel in detailBrass
Brass can often be gold plated very successfully. Existing lacquer, corrosion, porosity and coatings must be considered so the finished surface looks even and consistent.
Brass in detailCopper
Copper can be gold plated to a high standard but requires an appropriate barrier structure to prevent the base material from affecting the final gold surface.
Copper in detailChrome
Chrome-plated parts are not approved automatically. Condition, existing coating and adhesion determine whether the surface can be prepared or whether a new layer structure is required first.
Chrome in detailGold alloys
Existing gold jewelry can also be replated or adjusted in color. Condition, existing coatings, solder joints, stone settings and desired gold tone are considered in advance.
Other metals: Bronze, platinum and palladium may also be technically suitable depending on the piece. We assess these less common cases individually from photos and any known material information.
How a gold-plating layer structure is built
Gold does not adhere to every material in the same way.
High-quality gold plating is more than simply “gold on metal”. Depending on the base material, the surface, adhesion and barrier layers are prepared so the hard-gold layer can be built up reliably. The final color-gold layer then creates the desired visible gold tone.
01
Base materialSilver, stainless steel, brass, copper, a gold alloy or a technically suitable special case.
02
Preparation, adhesion & barrierCleaning, surface preparation and material-specific adhesion or barrier layers.
03
Hard-gold layer · 1 / 3 / 5 µmThe actual wear reserve is selected according to use, contact areas and geometry.
04
Farbgold · 14 / 18 / 24 caratThe final color-gold layer determines the visible yellow-gold appearance.
Typical route by material
What differs technically.
The following is a guide. The exact layer structure is determined only after the actual piece has been assessed.
SilverAssess and prepare the surfaceDepending on condition, an appropriate adhesion/barrier structure is followed by hard gold and the desired color-gold tone.
Stainless steelActivation and adhesion are essentialThe surface must be prepared for the electroplating structure before hard gold and color gold are applied.
Brass / CopperBarrier structure is especially importantThe base structure is designed to control migration and discoloration from the base material before the gold layers are applied.
ChromeAssess the existing coating firstDepending on condition, chrome may need to be prepared or removed and the surface rebuilt before gold plating.
Gold alloysCoordinate refinishing and color targetThe existing surface and coating are assessed before the desired gold appearance is rebuilt.
Not in the regular gold-plating process
We decline these materials in the standard process.
The reason is not that gold could never be deposited on them in theory. The key question is whether we can offer a reproducible, responsible process for the specific order.
Aluminum & titaniumNot accepted for standard electroplated gold finishing at LAFFARTS.
Die-cast zinc & tinToo much risk from the base material, porosity or adhesion problems in the standard process.
PVD-coated partsPVD is not a standard base for our gold-plating work. We do not accept such parts as regular orders.
Lacquered surfacesLacquer is not a suitable electroplating base and is treated as an exclusion criterion for standard requests.
Plastic, ceramic, carbon & tungstenThese materials are not part of our standard electroplating service.
Textiles, plants & organic materialsWe do not accept non-metallic or organic objects for electroplated gold finishing.
Important: “Cast” is not automatically an exclusion criterion. The actual base material matters. Cast brass or bronze can be assessed differently from die-cast zinc, so the most precise material information available is helpful.
Materials in detail
Go directly to the relevant material page.
Frequently asked questions
When the material is unclear.
I do not know what metal my piece is made from. What should I do?
Send photos of the front and back as well as any hallmarks or markings. This can help with the initial assessment. If the material still cannot be identified reliably, we will tell you what information is missing.
Is a 925, 585 or 750 hallmark sufficient proof of material?
A hallmark is an important clue but does not necessarily describe every existing coating, soldered component or later modification. We therefore assess the entire piece.
Can a generally suitable metal still be declined?
Yes. Heavy corrosion, unsuitable existing coatings, damaged surfaces, problematic settings or unfavorable geometry can make an order technically or economically unreasonable despite a suitable base metal.
Why are PVD-coated parts not accepted as standard?
An existing PVD layer is a separate hard coating system. Reliable electroplated replating would require its condition, removal and preparation to be fully controlled. We do not offer this as a regular standard service.
What do I need for the first material assessment?
Clear photos, ideally including the back and any unusual areas, plus known material, dimensions and existing coating. You do not need to send the piece in for the first assessment.
Unsure about the material?
Show us the piece by photo first.
We assess the material, existing surface, condition and intended use. You then know whether gold plating is appropriate and what the next step should be.