Gold Design Gold Jewelry Finishing and Surface Treatments 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which finishing technique creates a matte, non-reflective surface by rubbing gold with fine abrasives?
- Burnishing
- Hammered finish
- Satin/brushed finish (Correct answer)
- Engraving
Correct answer: Satin/brushed finish
A satin or brushed finish is created by rubbing gold with fine abrasives, producing a soft, matte texture that scatters light rather than reflecting it.
Question 2: Which process uses electrolysis to deposit a thin layer of gold onto another metal surface?
- Annealing
- Soldering
- Pickling
- Gold plating (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Gold plating
Gold plating uses an electrolytic process to deposit a thin layer of gold onto a base metal, with the piece acting as the cathode in a gold solution.
Question 3: In fine jewelry, 'vermeil' refers to which of the following?
- An aged patina chemical finish
- An 18-karat gold piece with rhodium coating
- Gold-plated sterling silver (Correct answer)
- A granulated surface texture
Correct answer: Gold-plated sterling silver
Vermeil is sterling silver that has been gold-plated with at least 10-karat gold to a minimum thickness of 2.5 microns, combining two precious metals.
Question 4: Which ancient surface technique fuses tiny gold spheres onto a jewelry surface to create a textured effect?
- Chasing
- Reticulation
- Engraving
- Granulation (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Granulation
Granulation is an ancient technique in which tiny gold balls are fused to the jewelry surface using high heat and a copper-based bonding agent, without visible solder.
Question 5: According to US regulations, gold-filled jewelry must contain a gold layer that is at least what fraction of the total metal weight?
- 1/10
- 1/20 (Correct answer)
- 1/40
- 1/5
Correct answer: 1/20
US regulations require gold-filled jewelry to have a gold layer constituting at least 1/20 of the total metal weight, making it more durable than plated items.
Question 6: Which type of finish creates a highly reflective, mirror-like surface on gold jewelry?
- Satin finish
- Matte finish
- High polish finish (Correct answer)
- Antiqued finish
Correct answer: High polish finish
A high polish finish is achieved through progressively finer abrasives followed by buffing compounds, removing all surface scratches to create a mirror-like reflective surface.
Question 7: What is the primary goal of the antiquing process in gold jewelry finishing?
- To increase the gold's purity
- To harden the metal surface
- To clean flux residue after soldering
- To darken recessed areas and create an aged appearance (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To darken recessed areas and create an aged appearance
Antiquing uses chemical solutions to selectively darken the recessed areas of gold jewelry, creating contrast that emphasizes the design and gives an aged, vintage appearance.
Gold Design Gold Jewelry Finishing and Surface Treatments 1
Which finishing technique creates a matte, non-reflective surface by rubbing gold with fine abrasives?