Author: depehz

During 2022, gold and precious metals faced downward pressures driven by restrictive monetary policies and a strong U.S. dollar. However, there were positive developments, such as resilient demand for bullion and coins, as well as the reaccumulation of strategic reserves by central banks. In 2023, the prices of precious metals will continue to be influenced by monetary and currency dynamics, but increasing importance will be placed on the economic conditions of major consuming countries and geopolitical balances.

The Italian goldsmith sector has demonstrated remarkable competitiveness over the past two years, achieving an extraordinary recovery compared to the pre-Covid period. The current competitive landscape is shaped by high uncertainty and volatility, driven by economic slowdown, inflation, and restrictive monetary policies. This analysis explores the sector’s positioning and the key strategies that could guide Italian goldsmith companies moving forward.

Pure gold, platinum and silver, like all pure metals, are relatively soft with a low yield points and this has several drawbacks in the fabrication of 24ct gold, platinum and silver jewellery, limiting design possibilities as well as making such jewellery prone to scratching and wear. This softness is also an issue wih high fineness jewellery alloys such as 22 ct golds. For 24 ct gold, the development of ‘990’ gold – titanium alloy in the late 1980s overcame many of these deficiencies but has not met with much commercial success. In recent years, however, there have been a number...

The presentation offers an introduction on the principle of induction heating, its application for brazing, and its developments in the luxury watchmaking and jewelry sectors. First, we will examine what induction heating entails, discussing the physical principles, operating mechanisms, and key design criteria that underpin this fascinating technology. Next, we will connect these concepts to the practical application of induction heating in brazing, highlighting the intrinsic advantages and limitations of this method and how they affect its effectiveness. The next segment will focus...

Silver, despite being a widely used precious metal in jewelry, is prone to oxidation and tarnish phenomena, which primarily affect its aesthetic properties. This study analyzes the tarnish phenomenon in silver from a chemical and physical perspective, outlining the reactions involved, the factors that accelerate its formation, and various techniques currently employed for its removal. In the second section, the focus shifts to current anti-tarnish technologies for silver and the specific tests used to evaluate their effectiveness. A case study will be presented, demonstrating the...

316L stainless steel (SS) is generally regarded as safe due to its high corrosion resistance and passivation properties, which inhibit metal release. However, this study demonstrates that electroplating can induce significant nickel release, even from 316L SS, challenging the assumption of its inertness. Nickel release was evaluated following a Ni-free electroplating cycle, and the findings were measured according to the EN 1811 standard for nickel release. The research investigated the effect of surface treatments and electroplating techniques on nickel release, focusing on the role of...

1. Design: Between Technology and Radical Technological InnovationInnovative tools such as immersive reality and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing the design process, enhancing efficiency and quality. Real-time communication and remote collaboration enable more dynamic and globalized design processes. Multimaterial 3D printing and rapid prototyping allow the creation of complex products that were once unimaginable, supporting even small-scale productions, leading to the concept of “NO FACTORY, NO WASTE.” DESIGN IS NO LONGER BOUND BY TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION BARRIERS...

The first step is to delve into the concept of sustainability and understand that it is not solely associated with environmental or “green” aspects. Rather, it must be viewed holistically through the lens of ESG criteria: environmental, social, and governance factors. Sustainability is an indispensable tool for doing business. It plays a key role in comprehensive risk management analysis and holds increasing significance in the financial context. A sustainable company not only has greater value and enhanced brand reputation but also benefits from better access to the banking system,...