Gold Design Gold Jewelry Finishing and Surface Treatments 2

Question 1

Rhodium plating is most commonly applied to gold jewelry in order to:

Accepted Answer

Enhance brightness and scratch resistance of white gold

Answer

Rhodium, a platinum-group metal, is plated onto white gold to compensate for its slightly yellow tint and to provide a harder, more scratch-resistant, bright white surface.

Question 2

What distinguishes burnishing from other gold polishing methods?

Accepted Answer

It compresses and polishes the gold surface without removing material

Answer

Burnishing uses a smooth hardened steel or agate tool to compress the gold surface, creating a bright shine by moving metal rather than abrading or removing it.

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of using a pickling solution during gold jewelry finishing?

Accepted Answer

To remove flux residue and oxidation after soldering

Answer

Pickling solution, typically a dilute acid such as sodium bisulfate, removes flux residue and fire scale (oxidation) from gold after soldering or annealing operations.

Question 4

A hammered finish on gold jewelry is primarily created by:

Accepted Answer

Striking the surface directly with a hammer

Answer

A hammered finish is created by physically striking the gold surface with a hammer, producing a series of faceted dimples that catch and reflect light in multiple directions.

Question 5

In gold jewelry plating, 'flash plating' specifically refers to:

Accepted Answer

An extremely thin gold coating under 0.175 microns

Answer

Flash plating deposits an extremely thin gold coating (under 0.175 microns) that wears away quickly, often used on inexpensive costume jewelry where longevity is not required.

Gold Design Practice Test

Gold Design Practice Test

Gold Design Gold Jewelry Finishing and Surface Treatments 2