Troubleshooting Jewelry Plating Issues: A Los Angeles Business Guide

Question
Hi, I have a very small business in jewelry here in Los Angeles and had several issues with the plating houses locally, I have even ventured as far as Pico Rivera for my plating. I usually use brass as my base metal. The issues I have had is that the plating is inconsistent and tarnishes very rapidly, I have tried going back to the platers and they seem frustrated that they have to fix the problem and have at times re-charged me for it. It may be because I am a small company. The issue started with my rose gold plating that tarnished before I even started working with the components. I have also had issues with platers changing and raising their prices within a couple of months. At this point I am feeling inclined to go outside the state if it means getting good quality plating. All the plating houses I have worked with do not want to supply me with samples of their plating, even if I give them the pieces!! Could you recommend some plater options for me that would be reasonably priced and I don't have to worry about tarnish issues every time I make an order and ship it. I am in the process of ordering some anti- tarnish from Rio Grande and hope it will help with the pieces I have for now. Also I would like to get samples of the plating if the company is out of my state. I  would appreciate any help and advice you can give me. Thank you.

Answer
Hi, Jeanette.

The anti-tarnish items from Rio Grande should help. However, if properly prepared I would not expect a tarnish of any extent except with silver plate, tarnish being the nature of the metal.  It is quite possible your items should have a preplate layer. This creates a barrier between the base metal and the surface plate. Also, this middle layer is generally chosen when possible to enforce the color of the top plate.

I wonder if you have heard of Red Sky Plating?  The link to their home page is here:

http://www.redskyplating.com/   (copy and paste)

I first heard of Red Sky from a pullout ad in a Rio catalog. They offered a sample sheet of various plating. I asked for the samples and they sent plated copper pennies, several pennies on a descriptive page showing colors of gold and perhaps other metal plate.

A man with whom I communicate once in a while is the primary contact at a company called Precious Metals West.  Red Sky is highly regarded by this man.  The company is highly regarded by me, also, even if I have only received the samples and not had work done. You see, others besides the one man mentioned have recommended the company.

I suggest you go to the web site and contact the company. See if the quantities you need done will still keep the price reasonable and the job doable. Tell someone about the problems you have had and ask advice and if this is a job they can do better.   If you use this company, I believe you will be pleased. They are located in New Mexico,in the same city as Rio Grande.

I do hope this helps.

God Bless and Peace.  Thomas.