ruthenium

[hayley]

Hello im struggling with getting ruthenium plated onto a matt sterling silver surface, does anyone know if there are any extra steps if trying to get a plate onto matt surface ? or has anyone experienced similar problems with ruthenium ?

[Dennis]

As I understand it ruthenium plating is an alternative to patinating/oxidising metals to give a durable black coating. I can't answer your question as it has not cropped up here before, but I should be interested to learn more about it from you. Dennis

[mizgeorge]

I can't remember where I read it, but I believe the trick is to first plate with gold, then ruthenium, which I believe gives better adhesion. The alternative would be to use black rhodium, which can also be used with a pen rather than only in a bath.

[FineJewelleryandArt]

Black rhodium plating with a pen? Please tell me more. I do not like plated items much but this sounds very useful.