PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A CRYSTALLINE SURFACE LAYER

摘要

A process for producing a crystalline surface layer consisting of Au2Bi, AuGa2, AuIn2 or AuTe2 is disclosed. The process comprises exposing a surface of gold to a liquid phase of Bi, Ga, In or Te at a predetermined temperature such that inter metallic crystals are formed, and removing any non-reacted Bi, Ga, In or Te from the surface. The process results in a substrate having a surface of coloured gold which gives a glittering appearance, and the substrate is thus suitable for jewellery applications.