Luxury Jewelry Brand Discovers Silver Bullet for Tarnish

(cont’d from p.3)
Uyemura Powers
New Growth
It is also messy, and eventually peels off. And,
with Executive Appointments
protecting.”
it’s plastic! No matter what, it does not feel like
metal. 616 feels like the fine metal jewelry it’s
616 PLUS’ ability to preserve the feel of precious
Richard DePoto has been
appointed Business Development
Manager for Umicore GT plating
products. Mr. DePoto has served
as Uyemura Northeast Regional
Sales Manager since 2005.
metal results from recent advances in nanochemistry. Its proprietary organic molecule has
a unique affinity for electrodeposition, and
deposits are exceptionally uniform. Engineered
nanopolymers attach to the surface of metal
–silver, gold copper or tin - and crosslink to
form an invisible, impervious layer of a few
Mark Eonta is UIC's new
Business Development Manager
for Europlasma Processes and
Equipment. Mr. Eonta also serves
as UIC's Manager for the MEC line
of elite PCB surface treatments.
John Meyers has been tapped
for an important new position,
Product Manager for Electroless
Copper. Mr. Meyers will also serve
as Strategic Accounts Manager.
Mr. Meyers is a leading expert on
ENIG technology.
nanometers.
For silver pieces, 616 PLUS protects, and
permanently preserves, metal brightness. “The
Luxury Jewelry Brand Discovers
Silver Bullet for
Tarnish Woes
luster on a 616-processed piece is always
superior to one with e-coat,” adds Seidel,
IPPOLITA was founded in 1999 by Italian artist
“because unlike e-coat, the 616 finish will not
and designer, Ippolita Rostagno, and is known
dull, so colors pop better.”
for its cool and colorful aesthetic, and diverse
For electroformed gold,
use of materials, including sculpted and electro-
the process seals gold's
formed gold, sterling silver, Rose Silver, and
MMOs Amp Up
Plating Performance
natural porosity more
uniquely hued gemstones. Ippolita
effectively than alternatives
is today one of the leading design-
because it penetrates the cellular
er fine jewelry brands in the US.,
Brightener Use Substantially Reduced
structure of the metal. 616 is also well-suited to
featured by Nordstrom, Saks Fifth
jewelry pieces featuring garnets, opals, and
Avenue, Neiman Marcus and many
International Product Managers
Explore New Umicore Solutions
other heat-sensitive gemstones: unlike electro-
independent retailers.
coating, 616 PLUS is applied without high heat.
Silver is trendier and more popular
Key technologies discussed during Umicore’s
March symposium in Bangkok, Thailand included:
The aqueous, chrome-free 616 process deposits
than gold, but retailers face dual
Umicore metal oxide anodes from UIC are made
from precious iridium and ruthenium oxides,
sometimes combined with non-precious tantalum
and titanium oxides. These precious metals are
applied in a multi-stage solution layering process.
uniformly, and is easy to control, with just two
challenges with all silver pieces:
• Niphos + Platinode – a corrosion resistant underplate of
Niphos 968, applied with Platinode anodes, substantially
enhances hard chrome performance.
• Sealing and Antitarnish Products – new data show
organic nanocoatings Antitarnish 616 PLUS and Top Seal
691 have broader applications than anticipated.
• Rhoduna Diamond Bright – new product deposits
brilliant-white coating with high reflectivity. Layers up to
5 µm can be deposited crack-free.
®
bath constituents. “We like the fact that it’s safe
keeping them free from tarnish while on display,
to handle,” says Seidel, “and can be applied
and overcoming customers’ objections to
before or after soldering.” Notably, its cost is
polishing.
comparable with electrocoating.
Ippolita has solved both issues with a Umicore
process offered and supported exclusively,
Trade Secret?
We have learned that one large powder
coater is using 616 PLUS as a powder
pretreatment, as a higher-performing
alternative to zinc phos.
throughout North America, by Uyemura.
The process is
(cont’d p.3)
Features include a long service life in acidic
solutions, exceptionally low organic (brightener)
consumption, lower precious metal consumption
and the ability to avoid undesirable anode reactions. Cost is less than PtTi-anodes.
Umicore mixed metal oxide anodes are made with
materials, material ratios, and coatings – platinum
or MMO – to suit the application.
Talk with Uyemura about the MMO anode best
suited to your process, and lower your organic
(brightener) chemical consumption.
(cont’d from p.1)
An Urgent
letter to
California
Officials
Thank you for letting us share the ongoing frustrations of my company, my industry, and our
customers, regarding your state’s Health and
Safety Code, during our meeting in San Diego.
Our industry is greatly in need of an exemption from
Section 11106 of that code. The requirement that is not
workable is reporting, 21 days in advance, the quantity
of product each customer will order. Customers do not
– and cannot - know this 3 weeks ahead of time, and
volumes of product needed
are highly changeable. We
and other suppliers are
more than willing to show,
ingredient (sodium hypophosphite) in a few products
The involvement of CA DOJ has been onerous and
Antitarnish 616 PLUS, and it protects gold and
could theoretically, be removed and used to make
time consuming for all suppliers of chemicals used by
silver jewelry (also copper and tin) from tarnish and
methamphetamine. Our products would be an
manufacturers of printed circuit boards. We have all
wear – indefinitely. It prevents fingerprinting and
extremely expensive and unlikely source for this
spent extensively on legal representation, yet for all of
scratching, and is both hypoallergenic and dirt
material and could not be easily removed by any
our efforts, remain ignored, and in limbo.
repellent. In recent months, 616 PLUS has become
means.
The inadvertent inclusion of our industry into a
the effective world standard for preventing oxida-
The volumes of paperwork to produce what can only be
regulated group that is completely unrelated to us is
accurately described as guesswork, 3 weeks ahead of
threatening to all vendors of products used in the PC
Most importantly for Ippolita, it does so while
time for each anticipated order, are enormous. This
industry, and, indeed, the entire high-tech sector. We
fully preserving the aesthetics and upscale feel
21-day rule is unworkable also for our customers, and a
ask your assistance in finalizing the approvals that are
of precious metal jewelry.
huge impediment to developing new business.
needed and granting us relief from a 21-day require-
We are also concerned that the California department
ment which effectively precludes the conduct of
administering this program consists entirely of one
normal business.
part-time person who does not have the resources to
We would deeply appreciate your help with this matter.
keep pace with demand. She is only allowed to take
Respectfully yours,
Don Walsh, Director of Operations
calls on Thursday, and her response to the 21 day issue
is to have buyers put in requisitions for weekly
shipments! This would triple or quadruple customers’
shipping charges, and multiply paperwork for all
parties.
8
Advanced Nanochemistry
Pairs Anti-corrosion
with Reductions in PM Use
tion and discoloration on precious metals.
Jon Seidel is Director of Production and Quality
Assurance for Ippolita worldwide. “At the urging of
our Executive Team,” he explains, “I did extensive
research on various antitarnish alternatives,
looking for an effective, passive solution. We
considered palladium plate over silver, fine silver
over palladium plate, and other options from both
the US and Europe.
“We tested 616 first on plated pieces that were
displayed in our showroom. In that environment,
on demand, any official, at
In addition, she uses only a
any time, documents
part-time field inspector, who is
Manufacturers of electronics, jewelry, hardware,
regarding the amount of
shared with several other divisions.
and decorative products have long sought inex-
product that was shipped, in
He has not been “able” to visit our
pensive and durable protection for precious metal
accordance with existing Federal
CA warehouse at all---even though
surfaces. OEMs want a treatment that’s thin,
law; it is the guesswork of fore-
our application check was
for our jewelry
casting that is so problematic.
deposited 9 months ago. This has
invisible, and prevents oxidation and discoloration
as well.”
become a serious restraint of trade
over time. In addition, manufacturers who plate
Uyemura is a 168 year old
Standard sulfur
higher metal thicknesses to compensate for
anti-tarnish tests
deposit porosity have clamored for a better, less
performed by an
pricey solution.
independent lab
Japanese- owned company. Our
issue for all of us.
American division, Uyemura Inter-
The Federal DEA created this
national Corporation, is headquartered
situation and put us under the
in Ontario, CA. Our chemistry is used in the
jurisdiction of the CA DOJ. Two
Now, new nanotech coatings have proved their
manufacture of printed circuit boards and semicon-
years ago, the Federal group had a law passed that was
ability to prevent the oxidation of thin metal
ductors, also for plating automotive and decorative
intended, (their words) “for the pharmaceutical industry
deposits over long periods of time, minimizing
parts. Some of the CA electronics companies we serve
only.” They did not have knowledge or interest in our
metals cost. These nanocoatings preserve the
include Intel, Apple, Oracle, Juniper, Cisco, Agilent,
industry or materials. We were dragged into this
luxury feel of precious metals and do not detract
Conexant, Kyocera, Qualcomm, and Xilinx, in addition
situation by accident.
from physical or functional performance.
to numerous military and automotive companies and
Federal requirements have been relatively easy to fulfill,
suppliers.
but for two years we have been working diligently to
Our products, and those of fellow vendors, support
secure state approval for our warehouse operations in
many manufacturing jobs in your state---yet one
WI and CA.
In a talk scheduled for June 8, Day 1 at SUR/FIN,
UIC Business Development Manager Richard
DePoto outlines the newest developments, and
describes the processes and successes to date.
tarnishing becomes problematic in just a day or
two. 616 PLUS eliminated tarnish as an issue. And
because it didn’t detract from the luxury feel of a
precious metal, we believed it would be effective
yielded impressive results. The process was first
used on silver pieces at a supply chain member in
Asia, where heat and humidity are a breeding
ground for silver tarnish. Today, all Ippolita pieces
made from silver, Rose Silver, and electroformed
gold, throughout Ippolita's worldwide supply chain,
are protected with Antitarnish 616 PLUS.
“Like many manufacturers,” says Seidel, “we
formerly used e-coating. Everyone hated it,
because it does not deposit uniformly, and inevitably ends up thick in some areas and thin in others.
w w w .uy e mu r a .c o m
(cont’d from p.1)
An Urgent
letter to
California
Officials
Thank you for letting us share the ongoing frustrations of my company, my industry, and our
customers, regarding your state’s Health and
Safety Code, during our meeting in San Diego.
Our industry is greatly in need of an exemption from
Section 11106 of that code. The requirement that is not
workable is reporting, 21 days in advance, the quantity
of product each customer will order. Customers do not
– and cannot - know this 3 weeks ahead of time, and
volumes of product needed
are highly changeable. We
and other suppliers are
more than willing to show,
ingredient (sodium hypophosphite) in a few products
The involvement of CA DOJ has been onerous and
Antitarnish 616 PLUS, and it protects gold and
could theoretically, be removed and used to make
time consuming for all suppliers of chemicals used by
silver jewelry (also copper and tin) from tarnish and
methamphetamine. Our products would be an
manufacturers of printed circuit boards. We have all
wear – indefinitely. It prevents fingerprinting and
extremely expensive and unlikely source for this
spent extensively on legal representation, yet for all of
scratching, and is both hypoallergenic and dirt
material and could not be easily removed by any
our efforts, remain ignored, and in limbo.
repellent. In recent months, 616 PLUS has become
means.
The inadvertent inclusion of our industry into a
the effective world standard for preventing oxida-
The volumes of paperwork to produce what can only be
regulated group that is completely unrelated to us is
accurately described as guesswork, 3 weeks ahead of
threatening to all vendors of products used in the PC
Most importantly for Ippolita, it does so while
time for each anticipated order, are enormous. This
industry, and, indeed, the entire high-tech sector. We
fully preserving the aesthetics and upscale feel
21-day rule is unworkable also for our customers, and a
ask your assistance in finalizing the approvals that are
of precious metal jewelry.
huge impediment to developing new business.
needed and granting us relief from a 21-day require-
We are also concerned that the California department
ment which effectively precludes the conduct of
administering this program consists entirely of one
normal business.
part-time person who does not have the resources to
We would deeply appreciate your help with this matter.
keep pace with demand. She is only allowed to take
Respectfully yours,
Don Walsh, Director of Operations
calls on Thursday, and her response to the 21 day issue
is to have buyers put in requisitions for weekly
shipments! This would triple or quadruple customers’
shipping charges, and multiply paperwork for all
parties.
8
Advanced Nanochemistry
Pairs Anti-corrosion
with Reductions in PM Use
tion and discoloration on precious metals.
Jon Seidel is Director of Production and Quality
Assurance for Ippolita worldwide. “At the urging of
our Executive Team,” he explains, “I did extensive
research on various antitarnish alternatives,
looking for an effective, passive solution. We
considered palladium plate over silver, fine silver
over palladium plate, and other options from both
the US and Europe.
“We tested 616 first on plated pieces that were
displayed in our showroom. In that environment,
on demand, any official, at
In addition, she uses only a
any time, documents
part-time field inspector, who is
Manufacturers of electronics, jewelry, hardware,
regarding the amount of
shared with several other divisions.
and decorative products have long sought inex-
product that was shipped, in
He has not been “able” to visit our
pensive and durable protection for precious metal
accordance with existing Federal
CA warehouse at all---even though
surfaces. OEMs want a treatment that’s thin,
law; it is the guesswork of fore-
our application check was
for our jewelry
casting that is so problematic.
deposited 9 months ago. This has
invisible, and prevents oxidation and discoloration
as well.”
become a serious restraint of trade
over time. In addition, manufacturers who plate
Uyemura is a 168 year old
Standard sulfur
higher metal thicknesses to compensate for
anti-tarnish tests
deposit porosity have clamored for a better, less
performed by an
pricey solution.
independent lab
Japanese- owned company. Our
issue for all of us.
American division, Uyemura Inter-
The Federal DEA created this
national Corporation, is headquartered
situation and put us under the
in Ontario, CA. Our chemistry is used in the
jurisdiction of the CA DOJ. Two
Now, new nanotech coatings have proved their
manufacture of printed circuit boards and semicon-
years ago, the Federal group had a law passed that was
ability to prevent the oxidation of thin metal
ductors, also for plating automotive and decorative
intended, (their words) “for the pharmaceutical industry
deposits over long periods of time, minimizing
parts. Some of the CA electronics companies we serve
only.” They did not have knowledge or interest in our
metals cost. These nanocoatings preserve the
include Intel, Apple, Oracle, Juniper, Cisco, Agilent,
industry or materials. We were dragged into this
luxury feel of precious metals and do not detract
Conexant, Kyocera, Qualcomm, and Xilinx, in addition
situation by accident.
from physical or functional performance.
to numerous military and automotive companies and
Federal requirements have been relatively easy to fulfill,
suppliers.
but for two years we have been working diligently to
Our products, and those of fellow vendors, support
secure state approval for our warehouse operations in
many manufacturing jobs in your state---yet one
WI and CA.
In a talk scheduled for June 8, Day 1 at SUR/FIN,
UIC Business Development Manager Richard
DePoto outlines the newest developments, and
describes the processes and successes to date.
tarnishing becomes problematic in just a day or
two. 616 PLUS eliminated tarnish as an issue. And
because it didn’t detract from the luxury feel of a
precious metal, we believed it would be effective
yielded impressive results. The process was first
used on silver pieces at a supply chain member in
Asia, where heat and humidity are a breeding
ground for silver tarnish. Today, all Ippolita pieces
made from silver, Rose Silver, and electroformed
gold, throughout Ippolita's worldwide supply chain,
are protected with Antitarnish 616 PLUS.
“Like many manufacturers,” says Seidel, “we
formerly used e-coating. Everyone hated it,
because it does not deposit uniformly, and inevitably ends up thick in some areas and thin in others.
w w w .uy e mu r a .c o m
(cont’d from p.3)
Uyemura Powers
New Growth
It is also messy, and eventually peels off. And,
with Executive Appointments
protecting.”
it’s plastic! No matter what, it does not feel like
metal. 616 feels like the fine metal jewelry it’s
616 PLUS’ ability to preserve the feel of precious
Richard DePoto has been
appointed Business Development
Manager for Umicore GT plating
products. Mr. DePoto has served
as Uyemura Northeast Regional
Sales Manager since 2005.
metal results from recent advances in nanochemistry. Its proprietary organic molecule has
a unique affinity for electrodeposition, and
deposits are exceptionally uniform. Engineered
nanopolymers attach to the surface of metal
–silver, gold copper or tin - and crosslink to
form an invisible, impervious layer of a few
Mark Eonta is UIC's new
Business Development Manager
for Europlasma Processes and
Equipment. Mr. Eonta also serves
as UIC's Manager for the MEC line
of elite PCB surface treatments.
John Meyers has been tapped
for an important new position,
Product Manager for Electroless
Copper. Mr. Meyers will also serve
as Strategic Accounts Manager.
Mr. Meyers is a leading expert on
ENIG technology.
nanometers.
For silver pieces, 616 PLUS protects, and
permanently preserves, metal brightness. “The
Luxury Jewelry Brand Discovers
Silver Bullet for
Tarnish Woes
luster on a 616-processed piece is always
superior to one with e-coat,” adds Seidel,
IPPOLITA was founded in 1999 by Italian artist
“because unlike e-coat, the 616 finish will not
and designer, Ippolita Rostagno, and is known
dull, so colors pop better.”
for its cool and colorful aesthetic, and diverse
For electroformed gold,
use of materials, including sculpted and electro-
the process seals gold's
formed gold, sterling silver, Rose Silver, and
MMOs Amp Up
Plating Performance
natural porosity more
uniquely hued gemstones. Ippolita
effectively than alternatives
is today one of the leading design-
because it penetrates the cellular
er fine jewelry brands in the US.,
Brightener Use Substantially Reduced
structure of the metal. 616 is also well-suited to
featured by Nordstrom, Saks Fifth
jewelry pieces featuring garnets, opals, and
Avenue, Neiman Marcus and many
International Product Managers
Explore New Umicore Solutions
other heat-sensitive gemstones: unlike electro-
independent retailers.
coating, 616 PLUS is applied without high heat.
Silver is trendier and more popular
Key technologies discussed during Umicore’s
March symposium in Bangkok, Thailand included:
The aqueous, chrome-free 616 process deposits
than gold, but retailers face dual
Umicore metal oxide anodes from UIC are made
from precious iridium and ruthenium oxides,
sometimes combined with non-precious tantalum
and titanium oxides. These precious metals are
applied in a multi-stage solution layering process.
uniformly, and is easy to control, with just two
challenges with all silver pieces:
• Niphos + Platinode – a corrosion resistant underplate of
Niphos 968, applied with Platinode anodes, substantially
enhances hard chrome performance.
• Sealing and Antitarnish Products – new data show
organic nanocoatings Antitarnish 616 PLUS and Sealing
691 have broader applications than anticipated.
• Rhoduna Diamond Bright – new product deposits
brilliant-white coating with high reflectivity. Layers up to
5 µm can be deposited crack-free.
®
bath constituents. “We like the fact that it’s safe
keeping them free from tarnish while on display,
to handle,” says Seidel, “and can be applied
and overcoming customers’ objections to
before or after soldering.” Notably, its cost is
polishing.
comparable with electrocoating.
Ippolita has solved both issues with a Umicore
process offered and supported exclusively,
Trade Secret?
We have learned that one large powder
coater is using 616 PLUS as a powder
pretreatment, as a higher-performing
alternative to zinc phos.
throughout North America, by Uyemura.
The process is
(cont’d p.3)
Features include a long service life in acidic
solutions, exceptionally low organic (brightener)
consumption, lower precious metal consumption
and the ability to avoid undesirable anode reactions. Cost is less than PtTi-anodes.
Umicore mixed metal oxide anodes are made with
materials, material ratios, and coatings – platinum
or MMO – to suit the application.
Talk with Uyemura about the MMO anode best
suited to your process, and lower your organic
(brightener) chemical consumption.