Photos, dimensions, material, intended use and desired result are assessed in advance. You receive a clear recommendation and an individual quote.
Gold plating · Prices & costs
Gold plating prices & costs for jewelry & small parts
Here you will find realistic starting prices for the preparation and gold plating of worn jewelry and small metal parts. The final price depends on surface area, material, condition and the selected gold layer. Every suitable piece is assessed and prepared according to its material before gold plating.
Your final price is confirmed after we assess the photos or the object. Work only begins after your approval.
Multi-stage preparationHand finished in Germany1 · 3 · 5 µm hard goldApproval before work begins
Workshop preparation
The price covers more than the gold layer.
Worn jewelry is not simply coated. The visible quality is created through several preparation steps, from the existing condition to the finished surface.
Grease, oxides, residues and unsuitable surface conditions are treated appropriately for the material. Existing coatings are taken into account where necessary.
High-gloss surfaces are refinished and polished according to their condition; matte or satin surfaces are treated to match the intended finish.
Depending on the base material, suitable adhesion, barrier and intermediate layers are used so the complete layer structure is technically appropriate for the piece.
The selected gold layer is built up across the actual surface area, in the desired 14k, 18k or 24k yellow-gold tone.
The result is inspected by hand and your piece is carefully packed for its return. Insured value shipping is available on request.
Workshop craftsmanship instead of a mass-production process
Our prices include the actual preparation required for worn pieces, from the surface condition to the appropriate layer structure.
You know what will be done before work begins
The exact scope is agreed before work begins. Any additional specialist work is identified in advance.
When can the price be higher? Starting prices apply to technically suitable pieces with normal signs of wear and standard preparation requirements. Deep scratches, heavy oxidation, damaged or multi-layer existing coatings, complex stripping or challenging base materials can require additional work. Repairs and external watchmaker services are not part of the gold-plating service and must be arranged separately where required.
Starting prices · Preparation + gold plating from 1 µm
Prices by object type
The following starting prices are guidelines for suitable pieces with normal signs of wear. The final price depends on the actual surface area, condition, surface finish, base material, preparation and selected layer thickness.
Rings, pendants & earrings
| Object | From 1 µm | What affects the final price |
|---|---|---|
| Very delicate ring / very small part | from €79 | Width, stone settings, scratches, finish and preparation requirements. |
| Small pendant | from €79 | Front and back, edges, bail, relief and base material. |
| Signet ring / wide ring | from €129 | Larger surface area, shoulders, relief, engravings and settings. |
| Earrings, pair | from €99 | Both pieces, fastenings, edges, settings and finish. |
| Coin / medal | from €119 | Diameter, both sides, edge, relief and surface condition. |
Chains, bracelets & bangles
| Object | From 1 µm | What affects the final price |
|---|---|---|
| Fine chain / necklace | from €129 | Length, link thickness, clasp, inner edges and surface finish. |
| Curb chain / Figaro chain / link chain | from €179 | Each link is plated on the outside, inside and sides, creating substantially more actual surface area. |
| Byzantine-style / heavy chain | from €219 | Dense link structures, larger cross-sections and many inner surfaces significantly increase gold consumption and preparation work. |
| Fine bracelet | from €119 | Length, links, clasp, charms and inner surfaces. |
| Curb bracelet / wide link bracelet | from €149 | Width and heavy links create substantially more surface area to plate. |
| Bangle | from €129 | Circumference, band width, material thickness, open ends and relief. |
Watches & watch parts
| Object | From 1 µm | What affects the final price |
|---|---|---|
| Watch case gold plating | from €149 | Only suitable, fully disassembled metal cases; size, material, finish and preparation are decisive. |
| Watch bracelet / metal bracelet gold plating | from €249 | Top and underside surfaces, edges, gaps between links and the clasp create a large actual surface area. |
| Complete watch exterior: case + metal bracelet | from €399 | Only disassembled metal parts suitable for electroplating; external watchmaker work may be required separately. |
| Folding clasp / watch clasp | from €99 | Size, mechanism, edges, condition and desired finish. |
| Bezel / crown / pushers | from €99 | Actual surface area, accessibility, material and preparation. |
Accessories & special parts
| Object | From 1 µm | What affects the final price |
|---|---|---|
| Belt buckle | from €129 | Only separated from leather/textile; front and back, prong, existing coating and material. |
| Brooch / hair clip | from €119 | Mechanism, pins, cut-outs and inlays. |
| Key ring / small metal accessory | from €89 | Shape, mechanism, material and existing coating. |
| Lighter | from €129 | Only suitable, removable metal parts; functional components and internal parts are assessed. |
| Emblem / automotive emblem | from €249 | Size, chrome condition, quantity and required preparation. |
| Large special parts | after assessment | Objectbezogene Flächen- und Prozesskalkulation. |
Starting price = preparation of a suitable piece + 1 µm gold plating. 3 µm and 5 µm use substantially more material because additional gold is deposited across the entire actual surface area. Your final price is confirmed after we assess your photos or the piece itself.
Multi-piece order discount
Gold plate several pieces together and save.
The price examples above refer to typical single-piece orders. When several technically suitable pieces are ordered together, certain work steps can be combined efficiently. We pass this efficiency on through a multi-piece discount.
Discount tiers for standard gold-plating orders
2 pieces5 %Discount on the eligible service scope.
3 pieces10 %For suitable pieces ordered together.
4 pieces15 %Multi-piece order with a greater bundling advantage.
5+ pieces20 %Highest standard multi-piece discount tier.
Note: The tier applies to standard, technically suitable gold-plating orders. Exceptional specialist work and additional services may be calculated separately. Your individual quote shows the applicable multi-piece discount transparently.
Why prices vary
The actual surface area determines gold consumption.
Length, diameter and weight alone do not determine the price. What matters is the actual surface area that must be prepared, plated and inspected.
01 · SURFACE AREAEvery surface countsFront, back, edges, inner surfaces, bails, clasps and recesses all receive plating.
02 · LINKSChains multiply the surface areaOn chains and metal bracelets, every link is plated on the outside, inside and sides.
03 · SURFACE FINISHMatte surfaces can require more goldSatin, matte or heavily textured surfaces can have a greater effective surface area than a similarly sized smooth, high-polish surface.
04 · CONDITIONPreparation starts beneath the goldScratches, wear, existing coatings and oxidation determine how much preparation is required before gold plating.
05 · BASE MATERIALThe right layer structureDepending on the material, suitable adhesion, barrier and intermediate layers may be required.
06 · MICRONS1, 3 oder 5 µmA thicker layer means more gold across the entire surface and therefore higher material costs.
Gold layer & quality
1, 3 or 5 µm – choose the quality level.
For suitable jewelry, we generally offer 1, 3 and 5 µm options. The price difference is calculated from the actual surface area of your specific piece.
1 µm
Standard
An entry option for suitable pieces with lower wear and for a high-quality visual refresh.
3 µm
Enhanced
Significantly more gold than 1 µm and therefore a higher price. Often the balanced choice for jewelry worn regularly.
5 µm
Premium
Our strongest standard quality level, with the highest gold deposit and the greatest layer reserve.
FAQ · Gold plating prices
Common questions about costs & preparation.
The key points before you request a quote.
How much does jewelry gold plating cost?
Very small, technically suitable jewelry pieces with normal signs of wear start from €79, including object-specific standard preparation and 1 µm gold plating. Chains, bracelets, watch cases and watch bracelets start higher. The final price depends on actual surface area, base material, condition, preparation, finish and layer thickness.
Why is LAFFARTS gold plating more than a single coating step?
For worn pieces, quality begins before the gold bath. We assess material and condition, clean and prepare the surface for the desired finish, create the technically appropriate layer structure and only then apply the hard-gold layer. The finished piece is inspected and carefully packed.
What is included in the starting price?
For a suitable piece with normal signs of wear, the starting price includes object-specific standard preparation, the technically appropriate layer structure, a 1 µm hard-gold layer, manual inspection and jewelry packaging. Extensive restoration, repairs and external watchmaker work are not included and are discussed separately where required.
Why does a chain cost more than a small ring?
Every link of a chain is plated on the outside, inside and sides. Length, link thickness, clasp and numerous inner surfaces create much more actual surface area.
Why can a matte or satin surface cost more?
Rough, matte or satin surfaces can have a larger effective surface area and therefore require more gold than a similarly sized high-polish surface.
Why do 3 µm and 5 µm cost significantly more?
Because the additional thickness is built up across the entire actual surface area. Gold consumption increases particularly strongly on large or highly articulated pieces.
Is a photo enough for an initial price estimate?
In many cases, yes. Clear photos, approximate dimensions and the known base material are often enough for an initial assessment. Some technical special cases may require inspection of the original piece.
Individually calculated
Your exact price before work begins.
Send photos and approximate dimensions. We assess condition, surface area, finish, preparation and the appropriate layer thickness. You then receive your quote and can decide without pressure.