What is this??

[littlemissbliss]

Can someone tell me what metal these bands are made out of?

Thank you

 

[Harriet]

The bands at the side? Blackened gold.

 

[littlemissbliss]

I have never heard of blackened gold. Do you know anything about it? Is it durable? Does it stay black?

I really like the look of the black bands.

 

[Harriet]

Sorry, that''s the extent of my knowledge.

 

[purrfectpear]

It will wear eventually but it''s a simple process to have them re-dipped. It was popular in the late 60''s, early 70''s to have rings oxidized then polished so the black areas would hi-lite carved details.

 

[John P]

Black gold most often employs a rhodium or ruthenium plating with blackening additions (ruthenium is used because it is harder). The blacker the color the less wear-resistant it is - and all producers caution against rubbing or abrading. Like other electroplating it thins over time depending on individual habits and wear and must be re-applied.

Oxidation of gold alloys with cobalt/chromium is used to produce a black patina which is more wear-resistant, but those alloys are not suitable for mass-manufacture.

There are other ways to get a black finish - we've all seen the carbon coatings developed for the watch industry. I think I recently heard about a laser-application for fine jewelry but don't recall details. Someone else can chime in with more.

 

[littlemissbliss]

Interesting. Can this black finish be used on platinum?