AGE HARDENABLE CLAD METAL HAVING GOLD FINENESS AND A SURFACE LAYER WITH ENHANCED RESISTANCE TO TARNISH, SCRATCHING, AND WEAR

摘要

The present invention is directed to a jewelry element which includes two layers—a cladding layer and a substrate layer, each layer being its own alloy. The cladding layer and the substrate layer each include a base metal such as silver or gold at the same percentages so that the resulting jewelry element can be labeled in accordance with one or more industry-wide requirements. The cladding layer is further enhanced by introduction of a metal providing additional hardness when included in the alloy. By limiting the “hardness” metal or metals to being deposed only in the cladding layer, less of the hardness metal need be used, thereby reducing cost yet retaining the requisite hardness characteristic. Each of the alloys may further contain other metals for any of a number of reasons, including but not limited to, tarnish resistance.

主权项

1. A cladded jewelry element comprising:
a composite substrate layer formed of a first alloy; and a composite cladding layer formed of an age hardenable second alloy comprising from 1-15% palladium; wherein said substrate layer and said cladding layer are bonded to one another and the most prevalent metal in said first alloy and said second alloy is gold and comprises at least 58% of each, and said percentage of gold in said cladding layer is within 2% of the percentage of gold in said substrate layer.