Electroforming of complex 3-dimesional lightweight shapes is a technique that is growing in popularity. It is a technique that offers jewellery designers unique possibilities in jewellery design. Some companies specialise in electroformed designs. It is basically a process in which pure or carat gold is electroplated onto a shaped former. This can be a low melting point metal but more recent technology developments now enable electroforming onto a wax model, such as produced for lost wax casting. Control of both consistency and uniformity of thickness as well as caratage is very important in a mass production situation where 50 -75 pieces may be electroformed simultaneously in the bath. This is achieved by computer control of the plating bath. Generally electroformed articles will be around 100 -150 microns thick and even up to 250 microns for large items. The wax or metal former is removed at the end of the process.

Electroforming

There are 2 electroforming technologies available. One produces a deep yellow gold-copper-cadmium alloy deposit and the other a paler yellow gold-silver alloy, both in the range of 8 to 18 carats. Electroforming of pure gold is also carried out and is particularly popular in the Far East. When plating is done at high plating rates, a textured surface is produced which does not require further finishing. More information on electroforming technology and the opportunities it affords for innovative design can be found in Gold Technology, No 4, 1991, No 16, 1995 and No 27, 1999.

Electroformed jewellery