WO2014155178A1 - Alloy for the production of jewels - Google Patents

Alloy for the production of jewels Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014155178A1
WO2014155178A1 PCT/IB2014/000408 IB2014000408W WO2014155178A1 WO 2014155178 A1 WO2014155178 A1 WO 2014155178A1 IB 2014000408 W IB2014000408 W IB 2014000408W WO 2014155178 A1 WO2014155178 A1 WO 2014155178A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
weight
alloy
gold
alloy according
jewels
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2014/000408
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mario GARFARINO
Original Assignee
1Ktg Srl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 1Ktg Srl filed Critical 1Ktg Srl
Priority to ES14720688.2T priority Critical patent/ES2629909T3/en
Priority to EP14720688.2A priority patent/EP2978867B1/en
Priority to PL14720688T priority patent/PL2978867T3/en
Publication of WO2014155178A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014155178A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C5/00—Alloys based on noble metals
    • C22C5/06—Alloys based on silver

Definitions

  • the invention concerns an alloy for the production of jewels, in particular trinkets.
  • the invention concerns also objects, in particular jewels and trinkets produced with this alloy, as well as the use of the alloy for the production»of jewels.
  • Gold and platinum are metals that do not oxidize easily but they are very expensive.
  • the weight of gold and platinum is relatively high, which limits the size that can be reasonably obtained for the jewels, in particular in the case of earrings.
  • the market of costume jewellery has developed several alloys with a low gold and platinum content that are less expensive than gold alloys but pose several drawbacks.
  • it is necessary to coat the item for example by means of a plating process carried out using galvanising methods. This layer, however, is subject to wear.
  • the alloys that replace the traditional gold alloys do not maintain their gilded/platinum plated appearance over time and need to be frequently cleaned. Moreover, often these alloys do not imitate the precious metal and its alloys perfectly in terms of external appearance, that is, in terms of colour and degree of brightness. In particular, the market offers only a few alloys with a low content of precious metals that look like white gold.
  • the object of the present invention is to propose an improved alloy that overcomes the drawbacks listed above.
  • the object of the present invention is mainly to propose an alloy with a low precious metal carat rating that, in addition to not oxidizing easily and having good workability for the needs of the jewellery sector, imitates the aspect and the brightness of white gold.
  • an alloy for the production of jewels that is constituted by: 4 - 10%, preferably 5 - 10%, more preferably 6 - 10% zinc by weight; 0.1 - 4.3% gold by weight; 8 - 20% copper by weight; 1 - 6% indium by weight; 0 - 4.3% platinum by weight; 0 - 4.3% palladium by weight; 0 - 10%, preferably 0 - 1.5% by weight of a combination of nickel and rhodium preferably with a weight ratio of 1 :1 ; 0 - 0.5% by weight of auxiliary elements, in particular one or more metals selected among iridium, germanium, silicon, osmium, tin and gallium, wherein the rest is constituted by silver.
  • alloys described herein can always contain other elements, meaning elements that are not listed as components that make up the alloy, in the form of traces in overall quantities up to 0.2% by weight, preferably up to 0.1 % by weight. These traces derive from impurities present in the raw materials or are residues of auxiliary materials used during the production or processing of the alloy.
  • the alloy according to the invention is advantageously in the colour of white gold.
  • the variation in the content of metals or combinations of metals that are yellow/red compared to metals with a silvery colouring makes it possible to obtain different hues within the colour that in the sector of jewellery is considered as white gold colour.
  • alloys according to the invention that contain nickel there is rhodium in a weight ratio of 1 :1 with respect to nickel, in order to bind nickel and prevent it from detaching from the alloy and therefore to reduce the allergenic nature of the alloy itself.
  • the alloy is very sturdy, elastic, easy to clean, polish and machine and has good lapping values, partly better than those of other alloys with higher carat rating.
  • the alloy does not contain iridium, germanium, silicon, osmium, tin and gallium as elements that make up the alloy.
  • the alloy in any case, can contain these elements within the group consisting of traces of other elements.
  • compositions that in the search for economic alloys with low precious metal carat rating have proved to be particularly suited to be used to make trinkets, because they do not oxidize easily, are easy to machine and shiny, and imitate the shades of the alloys known as white gold.
  • a preferred variant embodiment of the invention concerns an alloy whose silver content corresponds to 55 - 75% by weight. Obviously, the sum of the weights of the components of the alloy as indicated above makes up a total of 100% by weight.
  • the alloy according to the invention comprises 8 - 15% copper by weight, preferably 14 - 15% copper by weight. Contrary to expectations, this percentage represents a good compromise between a reduction of yellow in the alloy and a satisfactory structure in terms of sturdiness and workability of the alloy.
  • the content of indium in the alloy according to the invention corresponds to 1 - 2% by weight. Even relatively small quantities of indium produce a considerable whitening effect.
  • the alloy according to the invention comprises approximately 4.17% gold by weight.
  • the alloy also comprises approximately 4.17% platinum or palladium by weight or approximately 4.17% platinum by weight and approximately 4.17% palladium by weight.
  • the alloy according to the invention comprises 4.17% by weight of one or more precious metals selected among gold, palladium and platinum.
  • the alloy according to the invention comprises 8.34% by weight or 12.51 % by weight of one or more precious metals selected among gold, palladium and platinum, wherein gold is preferably present in concentrations of 4.17% by weight.
  • These alloys correspond to alloys with low precious metal carat ratings: for example, 1 carat gold and alternatively 1 carat gold plus 1 or 2 carats platinum and/or palladium. Even with maximum 3 carats of precious metals (gold, platinum and palladium) it has been possible to obtain an alloy that does not oxidize easily, is sufficiently hard and elastic, suited to be worked with the techniques in use in the jewellery sector, very bright and in the colour of white gold.
  • the same comprises 1 - 1.5% nickel by weight and, due to the reasons explained above, also 1 - 1.5% rhodium by weight.
  • a much preferred alloy according to the invention is constituted by 19 - 20% copper by weight, 4 - 5% zinc by weight, approximately 4.17% gold by weight, 1 - 2%, preferably approximately 2% indium by weight, and the remaining percentage needed to reach 100% by weight is silver.
  • the alloy is characterized by optimal workability for the jewellery sector, considerable brightness and a white gold colour thanks to which it can be mistaken for real white gold.
  • the invention furthermore concerns the use of the alloy according to the invention for the production of jewels, in particular trinkets.
  • a third aspect of the invention concerns an item, preferably a jewel or a trinket, produced with an alloy according to the invention.
  • the alloy according to the invention is suited to be used in the processing cycles that are typical of the jewellery sector.
  • the invention achieves the object to provide an economic alloy with low carat rating of gold, platinum and palladium that, in addition to not oxidizing easily and having good workability, imitates the appearance of white gold and is considerably bright.
  • the production of the alloy follows the methods known in the art and the general knowledge of the expert in the art for producing alloys containing gold, silver, brass, etc.
  • the components of the alloy can be combined together starting from the pure metals and/or corresponding alloys, like for example brass, for example brass containing 70% copper by weight and 30% zinc by weight. These methods are not described herein for the sake of brevity.
  • w% 100% by weight
  • w% known in the sector, means “% by weight”.

Abstract

The invention concerns an alloy for the production of jewels, constituted by: 4 - 10%, preferably 5 - 10%, more preferably 6 - 10% zinc by weight; 0.1 - 4.3% gold by weight; 8 - 20% copper by weight; 1 - 6% indium by weight; 0 - 4.3% platinum by weight; 0 - 4.3% palladium by weight; 0 - 10%, preferably 0 - 1.5% by weight of a combination of nickel and rhodium preferably with a weight ratio of 1:1; 0 - 0.5% by weight of auxiliary elements, in particular one or more metals selected among iridium, germanium, silicon, osmium, tin and gallium, wherein the rest is constituted by silver. The invention also concerns a use of the alloy according to the invention for the production of items, in particular jewels or trinkets, and it also concerns items, in particular jewels or trinkets, produced from the alloy.

Description

ALLOY FOR THE PRODUCTION OF JEWELS.
DESCRIPTION
Technical field of the invention
The invention concerns an alloy for the production of jewels, in particular trinkets. The invention concerns also objects, in particular jewels and trinkets produced with this alloy, as well as the use of the alloy for the production»of jewels.
State of the art
In the market of jewellery and costume jewellery a large number of gold alloys or alloys of other precious metals, like for example platinum, are known and used to make jewels.
Gold and platinum are metals that do not oxidize easily but they are very expensive. The weight of gold and platinum is relatively high, which limits the size that can be reasonably obtained for the jewels, in particular in the case of earrings. In order to be able to offer jewels also at reasonable prices, the market of costume jewellery has developed several alloys with a low gold and platinum content that are less expensive than gold alloys but pose several drawbacks. In order to prevent the oxidation of the alloy and therefore the alteration of its appearance, similar to that of precious alloys, it is necessary to coat the item, for example by means of a plating process carried out using galvanising methods. This layer, however, is subject to wear. Due to the oxidation processes, in most cases the alloys that replace the traditional gold alloys do not maintain their gilded/platinum plated appearance over time and need to be frequently cleaned. Moreover, often these alloys do not imitate the precious metal and its alloys perfectly in terms of external appearance, that is, in terms of colour and degree of brightness. In particular, the market offers only a few alloys with a low content of precious metals that look like white gold.
Presentation of the invention
The object of the present invention is to propose an improved alloy that overcomes the drawbacks listed above. The object of the present invention is mainly to propose an alloy with a low precious metal carat rating that, in addition to not oxidizing easily and having good workability for the needs of the jewellery sector, imitates the aspect and the brightness of white gold.
The objects mentioned above and others that are highlighted in greater detail below are achieved by an alloy for the production of jewels that is constituted by: 4 - 10%, preferably 5 - 10%, more preferably 6 - 10% zinc by weight; 0.1 - 4.3% gold by weight; 8 - 20% copper by weight; 1 - 6% indium by weight; 0 - 4.3% platinum by weight; 0 - 4.3% palladium by weight; 0 - 10%, preferably 0 - 1.5% by weight of a combination of nickel and rhodium preferably with a weight ratio of 1 :1 ; 0 - 0.5% by weight of auxiliary elements, in particular one or more metals selected among iridium, germanium, silicon, osmium, tin and gallium, wherein the rest is constituted by silver.
It is to be understood that the alloys described herein can always contain other elements, meaning elements that are not listed as components that make up the alloy, in the form of traces in overall quantities up to 0.2% by weight, preferably up to 0.1 % by weight. These traces derive from impurities present in the raw materials or are residues of auxiliary materials used during the production or processing of the alloy.
In order to affect the fluidity of the molten material and the suitability of the material for precision casting, forming (in this case silicon-free alloys are preferably used) or welding, and to obtain a finer grain, the expert in the art, thanks to his/her general knowledge of the matter, changes the percentages of the auxiliary components.
The alloy according to the invention is advantageously in the colour of white gold. The variation in the content of metals or combinations of metals that are yellow/red compared to metals with a silvery colouring makes it possible to obtain different hues within the colour that in the sector of jewellery is considered as white gold colour.
Advantageously, in the alloys according to the invention that contain nickel there is rhodium in a weight ratio of 1 :1 with respect to nickel, in order to bind nickel and prevent it from detaching from the alloy and therefore to reduce the allergenic nature of the alloy itself.
Even with a low carat rating of gold, platinum and palladium, respectively, it has been possible to produce alloys that do not oxidize easily and imitate the colour of white gold while at the same time showing a high degree of brightness.
Moreover, the alloy is very sturdy, elastic, easy to clean, polish and machine and has good lapping values, partly better than those of other alloys with higher carat rating. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the alloy does not contain iridium, germanium, silicon, osmium, tin and gallium as elements that make up the alloy. As explained above, the alloy, in any case, can contain these elements within the group consisting of traces of other elements.
The variant embodiments described below are the compositions that in the search for economic alloys with low precious metal carat rating have proved to be particularly suited to be used to make trinkets, because they do not oxidize easily, are easy to machine and shiny, and imitate the shades of the alloys known as white gold.
A preferred variant embodiment of the invention concerns an alloy whose silver content corresponds to 55 - 75% by weight. Obviously, the sum of the weights of the components of the alloy as indicated above makes up a total of 100% by weight.
Advantageously, the alloy according to the invention comprises 8 - 15% copper by weight, preferably 14 - 15% copper by weight. Contrary to expectations, this percentage represents a good compromise between a reduction of yellow in the alloy and a satisfactory structure in terms of sturdiness and workability of the alloy.
In a preferred variant embodiment of the invention, the content of indium in the alloy according to the invention corresponds to 1 - 2% by weight. Even relatively small quantities of indium produce a considerable whitening effect. Advantageously, the alloy according to the invention comprises approximately 4.17% gold by weight. In preferred variant embodiments of the invention, the alloy also comprises approximately 4.17% platinum or palladium by weight or approximately 4.17% platinum by weight and approximately 4.17% palladium by weight.
According to another variant embodiment, the alloy according to the invention comprises 4.17% by weight of one or more precious metals selected among gold, palladium and platinum.
According to a further variant embodiment, the alloy according to the invention comprises 8.34% by weight or 12.51 % by weight of one or more precious metals selected among gold, palladium and platinum, wherein gold is preferably present in concentrations of 4.17% by weight. These alloys correspond to alloys with low precious metal carat ratings: for example, 1 carat gold and alternatively 1 carat gold plus 1 or 2 carats platinum and/or palladium. Even with maximum 3 carats of precious metals (gold, platinum and palladium) it has been possible to obtain an alloy that does not oxidize easily, is sufficiently hard and elastic, suited to be worked with the techniques in use in the jewellery sector, very bright and in the colour of white gold.
In order for the hardness of the alloy to be increased, the same comprises 1 - 1.5% nickel by weight and, due to the reasons explained above, also 1 - 1.5% rhodium by weight.
A much preferred alloy according to the invention is constituted by 19 - 20% copper by weight, 4 - 5% zinc by weight, approximately 4.17% gold by weight, 1 - 2%, preferably approximately 2% indium by weight, and the remaining percentage needed to reach 100% by weight is silver. The alloy is characterized by optimal workability for the jewellery sector, considerable brightness and a white gold colour thanks to which it can be mistaken for real white gold.
The invention furthermore concerns the use of the alloy according to the invention for the production of jewels, in particular trinkets.
A third aspect of the invention concerns an item, preferably a jewel or a trinket, produced with an alloy according to the invention.
Other possible items that can be produced with an alloy according to the invention are, for example, coins, tableware, candle holders or other items of art handicraft.
It should be understood that the indicated values (their percentages by weight) always include also values that can be considered equivalent from the point of view of weighing accuracy and analysis of the individual components.
The alloy according to the invention is suited to be used in the processing cycles that are typical of the jewellery sector.
The invention achieves the object to provide an economic alloy with low carat rating of gold, platinum and palladium that, in addition to not oxidizing easily and having good workability, imitates the appearance of white gold and is considerably bright.
Further variant embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.
In the production stage, the alloy, its use and the items manufactured with this alloy that is the subject of the invention can be subjected to further modifications or construction variants that are not described herein. Said modifications or variants must all be considered protected by the present patent, provided that they fall within the scope of the claims expressed below. Description of preferred embodiments of the invention
The production of the alloy follows the methods known in the art and the general knowledge of the expert in the art for producing alloys containing gold, silver, brass, etc. The components of the alloy can be combined together starting from the pure metals and/or corresponding alloys, like for example brass, for example brass containing 70% copper by weight and 30% zinc by weight. These methods are not described herein for the sake of brevity.
The following table 1 lists some examples of embodiment of alloys according to the invention:
Table 1 copper zinc indium palladium platinum gold nickel silver other [w%] [w%] [w%] [w%] [w%] [w%] and [w%] [w%] rhodium
[w%]
8-15 5-10 1 -2 0-4.3 0-4.3 0.1 - 0 balance 0-0.5
4.3 to reach
100% by weight
8-15 5-10 1 -2 0 0 4.17 0 balance 0-0.5
4.17 4.17 to reach
(alone or in 100% by combination with weight
other metals)
4.17 4.17 4.17
4-15 5-10 1 -2 0-4.3 0-4.3 0.1 - 0 balance 0-0.5
4.3 to reach
100% by weight
9-20 4-5 2 0 0 4.17 0 balance 0-0.5 to reach
100% by weight The abbreviation "w%", known in the sector, means "% by weight". Possible traces of other elements that can be contained in the alloy up to an overall maximum of 0.2% by weight, preferably in concentrations < 0.1% by weight, have not been indicated.

Claims

1) Alloy for the production of jewels, constituted by: 4 - 10%, preferably 5 - 10%, more preferably 6 - 10% zinc by weight; 0.1 - 4.3% gold by weight; 8 - 20% copper by weight; 1 - 6% indium by weight; 0 - 4.3% platinum by weight; 0 - 4.3% palladium by weight; 0 - 10%, preferably 0 - 1.5% by weight of a combination of nickel and rhodium preferably with a weight ratio of 1 :1; 0 - 0.5% by weight of auxiliary elements, in particular one or more metals selected among iridium, germanium, silicon, osmium, tin and gallium, wherein the rest is constituted by silver.
2) Alloy according to claim 1 , characterized in that its silver content corresponds to 55 - 75% by weight.
3) Alloy according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that its copper content corresponds to 8 - 15% by weight, preferably 14 - 15% by weight.
4) Alloy according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that its indium content corresponds to 1 - 2% by weight.
5) Alloy according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises approximately 4.17% gold by weight.
6) Alloy according to claim 5, characterized in that it furthermore comprises approximately 4.17% platinum and/or palladium by weight, or approximately 4.17% platinum by weight and approximately 4.17% palladium by weight.
7) Alloy according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises 1 - 1.5% nickel by weight and 1 - 1.5% rhodium by weight.
8) Alloy according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is constituted by 19 - 20% copper by weight, 4 - 5% zinc by weight, approximately 4.17% gold by weight, 1 - 2%, preferably approximately 2% indium by weight, while the remaining percentage needed to reach 00% by weight is silver.
9) Use of the alloy according to any of the preceding claims for the production of jewels, in particular trinkets.
10) Item, preferably a jewel or a trinket, produced from an alloy according to any of the claims from 1 to 8.
PCT/IB2014/000408 2013-03-26 2014-03-20 Alloy for the production of jewels WO2014155178A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES14720688.2T ES2629909T3 (en) 2013-03-26 2014-03-20 Alloy for jewelry production
EP14720688.2A EP2978867B1 (en) 2013-03-26 2014-03-20 Alloy for the production of jewels
PL14720688T PL2978867T3 (en) 2013-03-26 2014-03-20 Alloy for the production of jewels

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000084A ITVI20130084A1 (en) 2013-03-26 2013-03-26 LEAGUE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF JEWELRY
ITVI2013A000084 2013-03-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014155178A1 true WO2014155178A1 (en) 2014-10-02

Family

ID=48366497

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2014/000408 WO2014155178A1 (en) 2013-03-26 2014-03-20 Alloy for the production of jewels

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2978867B1 (en)
ES (1) ES2629909T3 (en)
IT (1) ITVI20130084A1 (en)
PL (1) PL2978867T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2014155178A1 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4396578A (en) * 1982-01-27 1983-08-02 Bales Randy L White gold jewelry alloy
US20080095659A1 (en) * 2006-10-19 2008-04-24 Heru Budihartono White precious metal alloy

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4396578A (en) * 1982-01-27 1983-08-02 Bales Randy L White gold jewelry alloy
US20080095659A1 (en) * 2006-10-19 2008-04-24 Heru Budihartono White precious metal alloy

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2978867B1 (en) 2017-04-19
ITVI20130084A1 (en) 2014-09-27
PL2978867T3 (en) 2017-10-31
ES2629909T3 (en) 2017-08-16
EP2978867A1 (en) 2016-02-03

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