{"id":19126,"date":"2026-01-26T13:33:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T12:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iwgplating.com\/?p=19126"},"modified":"2026-02-17T10:09:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T09:09:00","slug":"alternatives-to-pure-gold-in-the-electroplating-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iwgplating.com\/en\/alternatives-to-pure-gold-in-the-electroplating-process\/","title":{"rendered":"What alternatives are available to pure gold in the electroplating process?"},"content":{"rendered":"

January 2026 | <\/p>

Chemicals <\/p><\/div>

What alternatives are available to pure gold in the electroplating process?<\/h1>
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A technical comparison of gold alloy baths versus 23.5 carat gold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Aurega\u00ae<\/sup> blend Cu 114 CX and Aurega\u00ae<\/sup> blend Cu 118 CX
vs. 23,5-Carat-goldbath: Aurega\u00ae<\/sup> pure 218<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The electroplating of gold layers plays a central role in decorative applications, in the jewellery industry and in spectacle frames. In view of rising raw material prices and the desire for more robust surfaces, classic 23-carat gold baths are coming under increasing pressure. In this context, alternatives to pure gold are becoming increasingly important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aurega\u00ae blend Cu 114 CX<\/strong> and Aurega\u00ae blend Cu 118 CX<\/strong> are two modern cyanide electrolytes that, thanks to their gold-copper-indium alloys, not only drastically reduce gold consumption but are also technically superior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Gold-copper alloys instead of pure gold<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Gold-copper-indium alloy:<\/th>carat<\/th>gold content<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Aurega\u00ae<\/sup> blend Cu 114 CX<\/strong><\/td>13 -15 ct<\/td>approx. 54 – 62,5 %<\/td><\/tr>
Aurega\u00ae<\/sup> blend Cu 118 CX<\/strong><\/td>15 -18 ct<\/td>approx. 62,5 – 75 %<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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23,5 ct. gold:<\/th>carat<\/th>gold content<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Aurega\u00ae<\/sup> pure 218<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>23,5 ct<\/td>approx. 97 %<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Aurega\u00ae blend baths lead to substantial material and process cost savings, especially with thicker layers (up to 10 \u00b5m), without compromising on high-quality appearance.
See cost comparison:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kostenvergleich<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cost comparison of the two gold alloy baths Aurega\u00ae blend Cu 114 CX and Aurega\u00ae blend Cu 118 CX with the 23.5 carat gold bath, e.g. Aurega\u00ae pure 218<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gold price: \u20ac142.69\/g (as of 26 January 2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Costs for 1\u00b5m\/dm2<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n