.png)
Once you've found the perfect jewelry base for your design at Cup Chain, the next step is selecting your preferred plating color. At Cup Chain, our jewelry bases are expertly crafted from durable metals such as brass, tombac, zamak, pewter, and more, ensuring high quality and affordability.
Using advanced electroforming techniques, we offer 17 stunning plating color options. Our flash plating method ensures precise and uniform coverage, preserving the quality and integrity of the jewelry base while enhancing its visual appeal.
To maintain the longevity of your jewelry, we recommend avoiding contact with liquids such as body lotion, water, and perfume. For optimal care, store the items in a dry and shaded environment to keep them in pristine condition.
.jpg)
Materials We Use:
At Cup Chain, we are committed to using only the finest materials to create high-quality jewelry bases. Special attention is given to the durability and precision of our stone settings, cup chain components, and findings, which are primarily crafted from premium brass materials known for their strength and reliability.
Our metal castings are typically made from Zamak, a high-grade base metal consisting of zinc, aluminum, magnesium, and copper. This combination ensures exceptional durability and resistance to wear, making it an ideal choice for crafting stunning and long-lasting jewelry bases.
Click here to see our sample pack of whole platings colors sample palette.
Techniques We Use to Create Our Products:
At Cup Chain, we employ a variety of advanced and traditional techniques to craft our jewelry components with precision and artistry. These techniques include:
Metal Stamping: Shaping metal sheets into intricate designs using high-pressure molds.
Photochemical Etching: Creating detailed patterns on metal surfaces through a chemical etching process.
Brass Casting: Crafting durable and high-quality components through molten brass molding.
Mazak Casting Process: Utilizing zinc alloys for intricate and robust designs.
Laser Cutting: Achieving sharp, precise cuts for complex shapes.
Soldering: Joining metal pieces seamlessly for added strength and design versatility.
Embossing: Adding raised patterns or textures to enhance design aesthetics.
Sculpture in Wax: Hand-carving wax models for casting unique, artistic pieces.
Engraving: Creating detailed inscriptions or designs on plastic, metal, and wood.
3D Printing: Utilizing cutting-edge technology for prototyping and producing intricate designs.
These diverse techniques allow us to deliver custom, high-quality jewelry components tailored to meet your creative vision.
Electroforming Plating Process: Detailed Overview
1. Overview of Electroforming
Electroforming is a precise and controlled process where layers of metal are deposited onto a conductive surface through electrochemical plating. This technique is widely used in jewelry making to create durable and aesthetically appealing finishes on base materials.
The process involves building up layers of metal, which can include copper, nickel-free options, and other metals, to achieve a desired thickness and finish. At Cup Chain, we specialize in using this method to provide a superior quality finish that enhances durability, visual appeal, and design versatility.
2. Plating Thickness: 0.025 Microns
The thickness of the plating applied during electroforming is a critical parameter that affects the product's durability, appearance, and performance. Our electroforming process ensures a precise plating thickness of 0.025 microns, providing:
- Enhanced durability: Preventing surface wear and corrosion.
- Optimal aesthetics: Achieving a consistent and flawless finish.
- Cost efficiency: Minimizing material usage while ensuring quality.
3. Layering in the Electroforming Process
A. Copper Layer (Foundation Layer)
- Function: Copper serves as the base layer in electroforming. It provides excellent adhesion to the underlying material and creates a smooth and conductive surface for subsequent layers.
- Characteristics: Copper enhances the conductivity and prepares the surface for additional plating, ensuring even and uniform deposition of the next layers.
B. Intermediate Layer (Optional)
- Materials: May include nickel or nickel-free alloys.
- Function: The intermediate layer adds strength and acts as a barrier layer between the base and the final finish. In nickel-free plating processes, alternatives like palladium or hypoallergenic alloys are used to avoid skin irritation.
C. Final Plating Layer
- Materials: Gold, silver, rhodium, antique finishes, or other specialized colors depending on the desired outcome.
- Function: The final layer provides the visual and tactile properties of the finished product, such as shine, matte textures, color, and corrosion resistance.
4. Key Features of Our Electroforming Process
- Precision: Advanced controls ensure even plating across intricate designs, preserving fine details in jewelry.
- Nickel-Free Options: Our nickel-free plating processes prioritize hypoallergenic finishes, making our products suitable for sensitive skin.
- Variety of Colors and Finishes: Electroforming supports a wide range of plating colors, from shiny gold to antique silver, matte finishes, and more.
- Durability: The layers created through electroforming resist tarnishing, chipping, and fading, ensuring the longevity of your designs.
5. Recommendations for Longevity
While electroforming provides a durable plating, proper care can extend the life of the jewelry:
- Avoid exposure to water, lotions, and perfumes.
- Store items in a dry, shaded place to prevent premature tarnishing.
- Clean gently with a soft cloth to maintain the finish.
Our electroforming process combines cutting-edge technology with an artistic touch, enabling designers to create timeless pieces that are both durable and visually captivating.
Click here to see Cup Chain's plating certificate
Click here to see Certification of compliance to the European directive on nickel in jewelry
Here are Cup Chain's 17 metal plating colors:
|
Antique Silver- FREE NICKEL
Antique Silver provides your designs with a timeless silver-plated look combined with a vintage and elegant impression.
This plating finish is one of the most popular choices among jewelry designers, adding a classic and sophisticated touch to any piece. Its subtle aged effect enhances intricate details and creates a nostalgic charm perfect for both modern and traditional designs.
See our inspirations featuring this plating color to spark your creativity!
this plating color
|
|
Rose Gold - Shiny - FREE NICKEL
A golden hue with a light red saturation, ideal for events where you want to flaunt a touch of gold without drawing too much attention.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
this plating color
|
|
Antique Brass- FREE NICKEL
A fusion of tender gold and gentle bronze, this plating offers a classic alternative color. Perfect for designs that exude depth, meaning, and a special look.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
this plating color
|
|
Rose Gold - Matte -
CONTAINS NICKEL
A soft, golden color with red undertones, providing understated elegance for when you want subtle sophistication.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
this plating color
|
|
Antique Copper- FREE NICKEL
Featuring a brown base with a reddish tint, Antique Copper delivers a rugged and slightly blackened silver look, perfect for bold, distinctive designs.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
this plating color
|
|
.jpg)
Black (Gunmetal) - Matte
CONTAINS NICKEL
This dramatic black plating highlights the jewelry's silhouette and makes vibrant crystal colors stand out magnificently.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
this plating color
|
|
Bright Gold - Matte - CONTAINS NICKEL
A brighter version of gold plating with a soft vanilla shine. Perfect for bridal collections, evening wear, or a young, chic aesthetic.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
this plating color
|
|
Black (Gunmetal)-shiny
Black (Gunmetal) - Shiny
Dark and dramatic, this black plating offers a silver metallic shine, creating an edgy, fashionable finish.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
this plating color
|
|
Bright gold - shiny
Bright Gold - Shiny
This classic gold plating, slightly brighter with a vanilla shine, is ideal for bridal collections, evening wear, and youthful chic designs.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
this plating color
|
|
Noir Black - shiny
Noir Black - Shiny
Complete black plating with no reflections, delivering a clean, dramatic, and modern finish.
Special Request Only
See our inspirations with this plating color.
this plating color
NOTE: To apply this plating, please write it in the comments to the order.
Special Request ONLY
|
|
Yellow Gold - Matte - CONTAINS NICKEL
The closest match to genuine gold, offering a luxurious "million-dollar look."
See our inspirations with this plating color.
this plating color
|
|
Noir Black - Matte
Complete black plating without reflections, perfect for creating dramatic, modern designs.
Special Request Only
See our inspirations with this plating color.
this plating color
NOTE: To apply this plating, please write it in the comments to the order.
Special Request ONLY
|
|
Yellow gold - shiny
A timeless gold hue for admirers of a golden aesthetic, providing a classic and elegant appearance.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
this plating color
|
|
Nickel - Matte
A light gray plating with a modern and exclusive touch, versatile for various jewelry styles.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
See our inspirations for
this plating color
|
|
Silver - Matte
A bright white matte finish offering a refined, elegant look, perfect for pairing with sparkly crystals.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
See our inspirations for this plating color
|
|
Nickel-Rhodium - shiny
A silver-gray (Rhodium-like) finish, offering a stylish yet understated appearance.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
See our inspirations for this plating color
|
|
Silver - shiny
Silver - Shiny
A bright silver finish, adding elegance and glamour to official and formal events.
See our inspirations with this plating color.
See our inspirations for this plating color
|
|
Misty Gold - matte
This new metal plating color has a wonderfully deep, warm brown color
that you can even say looks a bit like milk chocolate.
This is a very natural, earthy tone, with a
beautiful golden elegant feeling
NOTE: To apply this plating, please write it in the comments to the order.
See our inspirations for this plating color
Special Request ONLY
|
|
Bronze - matte
Bright Antique color. When it comes to combining crystal colors with it,
you will find that all of the antique tones and metallic
effect crystals look great with
this metal plating color.
Besides, the very bright crystal colors would look extra fancy and sparkly. Matte plating makes
a more soft look for jewelry.
See our inspirations for this plating color
|
|
Misty Gold - shiny
This new metal plating color has a wonderfully deep, warm brown color
that you can even say looks a bit like milk chocolate.
This is a very natural, earthy tone, with a beautiful golden elegant feeling.
When you choose this plating color in a matt or shiny finish you get a metal base, which has a kind of deep,
warm tone of brown metallic gold with an old antique look that you haven’t seen before.
NOTE: To apply this plating, please write it in the comments to the order.
See our inspirations for this plating color
Special Request ONLY
|
|
Bronze - shiny
Bright Antique color. When it comes to combining crystal colors with it,
you will find that all of the antique tones and
metallic effect crystals look great with this metal plating color.
Besides, the very bright crystal colors would look extra fancy and sparkly.
When you choose this plating color in a shiny
finish you get a metal base which has a kind of deep,
warm tone of bronze with an Antique look.
See our inspirations for this plating color
|
|
|
|
Nickel Free items - means that the plating is made on top of
copper or silver materials and do not contain nickel.
People that are allergic to Nickel will be able to wear
the Nickel free plated items.
|
The electroforming process at Cup Chain's partner "Abu Khalifa plating" manufacturer - a strict standard and years of experience
leads to top quality results.
Plating Lifetime Guarantee
At Cup Chain, we stand behind the quality and durability of our plating finishes. To ensure customer satisfaction, we offer a lifetime guarantee on all plating finishes, with some specific considerations:
Guarantee Terms
Coverage:
All plating finishes are covered under the lifetime guarantee, except:
Shiny Silver: This finish contains Sterling Silver, which naturally oxidizes and changes color over time.
Matte Plating Finishes: These finishes are more delicate and may show signs of wear more quickly.
Eligibility for Replacement or Repair:
If any of your plated items are damaged, email our support team with:
A clear picture of the damaged item.
A description of the issue.
Return Process:
To qualify for the guarantee, you must send the damaged pieces back to us.
Buyers are responsible for the return shipping costs.
Why Exclusions Apply
Shiny Silver Plating: The presence of Sterling Silver contributes to its luster but makes it prone to natural tarnishing over time.
Matte Plating Finishes: The unique texture of matte finishes requires more delicate handling, making them more sensitive to external factors like abrasion and exposure.
We are committed to maintaining the integrity of our products and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Please follow the care instructions provided with your items to maximize their longevity.
For any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our support team!
Care and Handling of Plated Jewelry:
To maintain the beauty and longevity of your jewelry, please follow these care guidelines:
Avoid Moist Environments:
Store your plated jewelry in a dry, cool place. Exposure to moisture can cause tarnishing or damage to the plating. Avoid storing jewelry in areas like bathrooms or near windows with high humidity.
Proper Crystal Embedding:
Always use the designated tools to embed crystals inside their settings. This ensures the crystals stay securely in place and helps avoid any damage to the plating or the stones.
Returns, Re-Plating, and Shipping
Shipping Costs for Returns or Re-Plating:
If you need to return an item or request re-plating, please note that the shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer.
Be sure to carefully pack the item to avoid further damage during the return process.
Delays with Matte and Black Plating:
Choosing matte or black plating options may cause a slight delay in delivery. Orders with these finishes may take 1 to 3 extra days to be processed.
Plan accordingly if your order is time-sensitive, and reach out if you need assistance or have any questions.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your plated jewelry stays beautiful and maintains its finish for as long as possible. For any additional care recommendations or concerns, feel free to contact our support team!
Useful information:
How to take care of plated jewelry
Combining metal plating colors
