With so many available platings to choose from, choosing the one that’s right for you can be confusing. and is often based on the wood used, customer preferences, pricing etc. This guide will go over some of the options available. The number in parenthesis is a wear rating from 1 to 5 (least durable to most durable) and is based on opinion, as I am not a metallurgist.
NOTE: Not all components are available in all finishes. They vary at the whims of suppliers and customer demand. The higher the wear number, the higher the component cost in most cases.
Plating Options:
Gold: Still the most common plating sold. The quality of gold plating can vary from very poor to excellent, depending on both the way the plating is done and what combination of gold and other additives are used in the plating process. By it's nature gold is a very soft metal and gold plating regardless of quality will wear off of pen parts over time.
24kt: (0.5) The least wear resistant of any pen plating. Usually is thinly plated with a coating of epoxy over the gold to increase durability. Also the cheapest components to buy. While it gets a bad rap, I have used 24kt gold plated pens, and have noticed no changes in the finish. If properly handled, they will last for a long time.
10kt: (1.5) This popular plating blends hard nickel and the beauty of gold together to form a brilliant plating that is durable and affordable.
Cobalt Gold (sometimes called upgrade gold): (2.5) 24kt gold with cobalt or palladium added to the plating chemicals. Much more durable than either 10kt or 24kt gold.
Satin Gold: (2.5) Gold finish with a slightly textured matte surface.
18kt Rose Gold: (3.0) Plating is an alloy of gold and copper. The finish has a pinkish cast. Not very common, but popular for bullet pen tips.
Titanium Gold: (4.0) Titanium nitride is matched to the color of the gold, then plated onto the parts and the 24k gold is layered on top of the titanium plating. Titanium plating is very popular among seasoned pen turners as it offers superior wear resistance yet is less expensive than other precious metal platings. Available in gold and black, we guarantee our Titanium plating to last a lifetime or your money back.
Other Plating Options
Chrome: (3.5) Chrome is an extremely long wearing plating capable of resisting everyday wear and tear. Highly recommended for key rings, pens and other projects, chrome gives you a shiny, rich look at an economy price.
Sterling Silver: (4.0) Usually refers to a much thicker silver plating (20 microns instead of 5 microns). Very durable and very expensive. Coated with epoxy to slow the tarnishing of parts. Sterling is not widely available, but can be had, for the right price.
Satin Pearl: (3.0) Nearly white textured metallic finish. Satin plated pens undergo a special plating process that produces a matte finish that features a slight texture that looks and feels great. This popular plating offers a unique alternative to traditional plating.
Platinum or Rhodium: (4.5) Possibly nature’s most brilliant and durable precious metal, Rhodium is used by the worlds premier pen manufacturers to plate their very finest pens. A member of the Platinum precious metals family, Rhodium sells for as much as $1,500.00 per troy ounce and is unmatched in brilliance and durability. We guarantee the Rhodium or Platinum plating on our pens to last a lifetime or your money back.
Black Titanium: (5.0) Titanium plating is very popular among seasoned pen turners as it offers superior wear resistance yet is less expensive than other precious metal platings. Available in gold and black, we guarantee our Titanium plating to last a lifetime or your money back.
Gunmetal: (2.5) Actually a black nickel plating that looks very much like black titanium. Looks very good with light colored material.
Black Chrome: (3.0) Chrome and chrome oxides combined in the plating process, resulting in a shiny black durable finish. Black Chrome offers a unique alternative to traditional platings that works extremely well with lighter color woods. The soft sheen and depth of color make Black Chrome a favorite.
Tactile: (2.5) Black rubberized textured coating. Not widely available
Copper: (2.5) Copper offers a unique beauty and warmth that begs to be held. Because copper is soft by nature, these pens feature a durable epoxy layer on top of the copper plating to increase wear resistance.
Satin Copper: (2.5) Satin plated pens undergo a special plating process that produces a matte finish that features a slight texture that looks and feels great. This popular plating offers a unique alternative to traditional plating.
NOTE: Not all components are available in all finishes. They vary at the whims of suppliers and customer demand. The higher the wear number, the higher the component cost in most cases.
Plating Options:
Gold: Still the most common plating sold. The quality of gold plating can vary from very poor to excellent, depending on both the way the plating is done and what combination of gold and other additives are used in the plating process. By it's nature gold is a very soft metal and gold plating regardless of quality will wear off of pen parts over time.
24kt: (0.5) The least wear resistant of any pen plating. Usually is thinly plated with a coating of epoxy over the gold to increase durability. Also the cheapest components to buy. While it gets a bad rap, I have used 24kt gold plated pens, and have noticed no changes in the finish. If properly handled, they will last for a long time.
10kt: (1.5) This popular plating blends hard nickel and the beauty of gold together to form a brilliant plating that is durable and affordable.
Cobalt Gold (sometimes called upgrade gold): (2.5) 24kt gold with cobalt or palladium added to the plating chemicals. Much more durable than either 10kt or 24kt gold.
Satin Gold: (2.5) Gold finish with a slightly textured matte surface.
18kt Rose Gold: (3.0) Plating is an alloy of gold and copper. The finish has a pinkish cast. Not very common, but popular for bullet pen tips.
Titanium Gold: (4.0) Titanium nitride is matched to the color of the gold, then plated onto the parts and the 24k gold is layered on top of the titanium plating. Titanium plating is very popular among seasoned pen turners as it offers superior wear resistance yet is less expensive than other precious metal platings. Available in gold and black, we guarantee our Titanium plating to last a lifetime or your money back.
Other Plating Options
Chrome: (3.5) Chrome is an extremely long wearing plating capable of resisting everyday wear and tear. Highly recommended for key rings, pens and other projects, chrome gives you a shiny, rich look at an economy price.
Sterling Silver: (4.0) Usually refers to a much thicker silver plating (20 microns instead of 5 microns). Very durable and very expensive. Coated with epoxy to slow the tarnishing of parts. Sterling is not widely available, but can be had, for the right price.
Satin Pearl: (3.0) Nearly white textured metallic finish. Satin plated pens undergo a special plating process that produces a matte finish that features a slight texture that looks and feels great. This popular plating offers a unique alternative to traditional plating.
Platinum or Rhodium: (4.5) Possibly nature’s most brilliant and durable precious metal, Rhodium is used by the worlds premier pen manufacturers to plate their very finest pens. A member of the Platinum precious metals family, Rhodium sells for as much as $1,500.00 per troy ounce and is unmatched in brilliance and durability. We guarantee the Rhodium or Platinum plating on our pens to last a lifetime or your money back.
Black Titanium: (5.0) Titanium plating is very popular among seasoned pen turners as it offers superior wear resistance yet is less expensive than other precious metal platings. Available in gold and black, we guarantee our Titanium plating to last a lifetime or your money back.
Gunmetal: (2.5) Actually a black nickel plating that looks very much like black titanium. Looks very good with light colored material.
Black Chrome: (3.0) Chrome and chrome oxides combined in the plating process, resulting in a shiny black durable finish. Black Chrome offers a unique alternative to traditional platings that works extremely well with lighter color woods. The soft sheen and depth of color make Black Chrome a favorite.
Tactile: (2.5) Black rubberized textured coating. Not widely available
Copper: (2.5) Copper offers a unique beauty and warmth that begs to be held. Because copper is soft by nature, these pens feature a durable epoxy layer on top of the copper plating to increase wear resistance.
Satin Copper: (2.5) Satin plated pens undergo a special plating process that produces a matte finish that features a slight texture that looks and feels great. This popular plating offers a unique alternative to traditional plating.