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Rock Art => Cabochons, Intarsias, Cameos => Topic started by: hashnu on August 23, 2017, 12:27:24 PM

Title: Gold Plating Magnetite Jade
Post by: hashnu on August 23, 2017, 12:27:24 PM
Can anybody gold plate some magnetite jade cabs for me?
Title: Re: Gold Plating Magnetite Jade
Post by: Enchantra on August 23, 2017, 07:15:57 PM
Welcome to the forum!
I don't know of anyone who does plating, but maybe someone else here has an idea.
Title: Re: Gold Plating Magnetite Jade
Post by: rocks2dust on August 23, 2017, 07:35:07 PM
If you cannot find anyone, then you might consider one of the inexpensive pen electroplating tools. You dip the pen into a solution (gold, rhodium, etc) then trace it over the metal you want to plate. They work for putting a thin coat over base metal, and would likely work for your magnetite. I used to have one many years ago, but have no idea where it went.

Might be tricky to get tiny dots and you'd have to clip to a copper wire probe and use that to make contact with the magnetite (instead of using the clip that typically comes with them to clip onto the entire piece), but maybe worth a try for you. Here's a video that shows a similar pen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9iMESg2hIY
Title: Re: Gold Plating Magnetite Jade
Post by: vitzitziltecpatl on August 23, 2017, 09:14:18 PM
Glad someone else brought this topic up. We bought a small amount of the magnetite jade rough intending to plate it someday, but haven't tried it yet.
Title: Re: Gold Plating Magnetite Jade
Post by: Amethyst Rose on August 24, 2017, 04:05:00 PM
I need to locate someone too.  I have about 50# of rough Magnetite in Jade to cut and polish.

Bob Johannes
The Amethyst Rose
Title: Re: Gold Plating Magnetite Jade
Post by: edgarscale on August 24, 2017, 05:44:26 PM
it's always interesting to see/hear of new/old techniques, thanks..