Flash Gold Plating

Flash plating is applied in a single, ultra-thin pass through the gold electrolyte bath. The resulting layer is visually indistinguishable from thicker deposits when new — it produces the same warm, bright gold finish — but because the layer is so thin, it will wear through quickly under any friction or regular handling.

This makes flash plating best suited for items that are worn occasionally or displayed rather than used daily. It is widely used in the fashion jewellery industry for seasonal collections, promotional items, and pieces where the price point requires a minimal gold content.

Flash plating is also commonly used as a 'strike' layer — a very thin initial deposit applied before a thicker plating layer to improve adhesion and coverage on difficult base metals. In this context it is not the final finish but a preparatory step.

Because the gold content is minimal, flash plating is the most economical option. For clients producing large quantities of fashion jewellery or decorative accessories, the cost saving over standard plating can be significant while still delivering an attractive gold appearance.