Gold Roses, (also known as gold-dipped roses, or gold-plated roses), are real flowers, immortalized and covered in gold.
Gold roses make the ultimate gift for a loved one, especially someone who appreciates roses.
Here we explain in detail the fascinating process used to create Gold Roses.
1. Choosing a Rose
The first step in the process is to pick the rose that will be converted into a gold rose.
It is important to pick the rose at the precise point where its beauty is maximized.
The roses are watched very closely as they begin to open and cut at the perfect stage of bloom.
Often these roses are sourced from specialist farmers who have special breeds of roses that have been specifically bred to create gold-dipped roses.
The key factor is choosing a rose at the start of its bloom, because if the rose is already fully open it is hard to protect and preserve the petals.
When the rose is picked ensure that it has a 5-6 inch stem to make the dipping process easier.
2. Preparing The Rose
Once you have your perfect rose, it needs to be prepared.
The preparation stage is primarily about preparing the rose in its current state, to ensure it maintains form when dipped into the gold, and that the gold sticks to it.
But there may be some shaping of the rose, crafting the leaves on the stem, and potentially removing any petals that seem misplaced.
In most cases, lacquer is used to preserve the rose, but some creators use an electrophoresing chemical instead. It doesn’t particularly matter what you use as long as it stabilizes the rose in its current form, and enables the gold to stick to it.
This coating needs to be applied multiple times and then dried, which can take 1-2 days, depending on the exact method used.
There is a lot of variation in the exact details used by each manufacturer, and they are often very secretive about their technique as they do not want to give any advantages to their competitors.
3. Dipping The Rose In Gold
Once the rose has been prepared and cured, it is time to be dipped in gold.
Depending on where you buy your gold rose from, the nature of the gold used in the coating may vary, but many jewelers, including The Castle Jewelry, use 24k liquid gold.
The amount of time the rose will need to be exposed to the liquid gold depends on how thick the coating of gold is intended to be.
For a thin coating, the rose would need to be submerged in the gold for 45-60 seconds. Whereas a thicker coating would require exposure to the gold for 90 seconds or more.
4. Tarnish Prevention
Once the rose is pulled from the liquid gold it needs to drip dry, before being rinsed in a chemical that prevents future tarnishing of the gold finish. After these processes have been completed, the end product will be a beautiful rose, preserved in its blooming stage, and covered in a thin layer of gold.
5. Potential Dangers
Though we advise against trying to gold dip a rose yourself, some kits make this possible.
If you do buy a gold rose plating kit, then please keep these things in mind:
- Cyanide is sometimes present in some of the chemicals and if so, must be treated with the utmost respect. It can cause significant harm to you if not handled with care. Where possible look for cyanide-free gold plating solutions to eliminate this danger.
- Heated gold is very dangerous, and you could easily burn yourself, if not careful. Ensure you use roses with long stems to minimize potential contact with the liquid solution. Make sure you also use thick, fire retardant gloves when dipping and use extreme caution.
- Do not use dried roses for gold plating. They will not hold together and are likely to fall into your liquid solution and will attract a lot of gold plating wasting your precious resources.
Gold Rose FAQs
Are Gold Roses Made From Real Roses?
Yes, gold roses are made from real roses. Though some dishonest jewelers use fake roses and try and sell them, these are the exception and are easily spotted. Prevent yourself from disappointment by only buying gold roses from a jeweler with a good reputation and reviews.
Is It Dangerous To DIY Gold Roses?
Yes. you can experience a significant injury if not careful when attempting to make your gold rose. Though DIY kits are available, we recommend against people trying to do it themselves, unless they are under the training and supervision of an experienced craftsperson.
Do You Need A Special Type Of Rose To Dip It In Gold?
You can use any rose to create a gold rose, but some people prefer certain varieties over others. Some rose growers specialize in providing roses for gold dipping, but it comes down to personal preference.
It is not the rose itself that makes it eligible for gold-dipping, it is the process followed once the rose has been picked.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
