Cuban Chain Family
Explore the full Cuban chain family — from classic round links to diamond-cut and hollow variants, each engineered for distinct jewelry applications.
Color Swatches
Six standard plating finishes, each available in multiple sheen levels. Custom color matching available for any Pantone or RAL reference.
Gold PVD
Physical Vapor Deposition gold coating. Rich 18K tone with superior abrasion resistance. Available in 0.3-3.0 micron thickness.
Silver
Bright silver electroplating with optional rhodium flash. Mirror-like brilliance with enhanced tarnish protection for lasting luster.
Rose Gold
Warm copper-gold alloy plating achieving a romantic pinkish tone. Copper content adjustable for deeper or lighter rose hues.
Gunmetal
Deep charcoal-to-black electroplating with subtle metallic undertones. Ideal for modern, minimal, and edgy design aesthetics.
Antique Brass
Aged, muted brass finish with intentional darkening in recessed areas. Delivers a vintage, heritage-inspired appearance.
Custom Color
Pantone-matched or RAL-referenced custom plating. Our lab develops and validates unique color formulations for your brand.
Parameter Comparison
Quantitative comparison across key plating performance dimensions. All values are based on standard Aurelink test protocols.
| Parameter | Gold PVD | Silver | Rose Gold | Gunmetal | Antique Brass | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness Range | 0.3 - 3.0 μm | 0.5 - 5.0 μm | 0.5 - 3.0 μm | 0.5 - 2.5 μm | 0.5 - 2.0 μm | Per spec |
| Wear Resistance | ||||||
| Color Stability | ||||||
| Corrosion Resistance | ||||||
| Relative Cost | High | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low | Variable |
| Batch Consistency | ||||||
| Lead Time Impact | +3-5 days | +2-3 days | +2-4 days | +2-3 days | +3-5 days | +5-10 days |
Compatibility Matrix
Not all plating processes work equally well on every base material. This matrix shows which combinations are recommended, possible, or not advised.
| Base Material | Gold PVD | Silver | Rose Gold | Gunmetal | Antique Brass | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel 304 | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Possible | Recommended |
| Stainless Steel 316L | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Possible | Recommended |
| Brass | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| Copper | Possible | Recommended | Recommended | Possible | Recommended | Possible |
| Aluminum | Possible | Not Advised | Not Advised | Possible | Not Advised | Possible |
| Carbon Steel | Recommended | Possible | Possible | Recommended | Possible | Possible |
| Zinc Alloy | Possible | Possible | Possible | Recommended | Recommended | Possible |
| Titanium | Recommended | Not Advised | Not Advised | Recommended | Not Advised | Possible |
Process Selection Guide
Our four plating technologies each serve distinct performance and aesthetic requirements. Choose the process that best aligns with your project goals.
PVD Coating
Physical Vapor Deposition
Vacuum chamber process depositing thin-film coatings at the molecular level. Produces the hardest, most wear-resistant finish with exceptional color stability and zero environmental discharge.
Electroplating
Traditional Wet Process
Electrochemical deposition using metal salt solutions. Cost-effective for high-volume production, supports a wide range of metal finishes, and allows precise thickness control across the entire chain surface.
IP Plating
Ion Plating
Advanced PVD variant using ionized gas to enhance coating adhesion. Delivers superior bonding strength, deep color depth, and exceptional resistance to peeling even under mechanical stress.
Multi-Layer Coating
Composite Systems
Combines multiple coating technologies in sequence. For example, electroplated base + PVD top layer for maximum durability or electroplated undercoat + IP color layer for the deepest tones.
Quality Testing
Every plating batch undergoes a standardized testing protocol to ensure finish quality meets or exceeds specification before shipment.
Abrasion Test
Taber abrasion testing with standardized wheels and load cycles. Measures coating thickness loss after specified wear cycles to validate durability claims.
Adhesion Test
Cross-hatch tape test and bend test to verify coating adhesion. Ensures the plating will not peel, flake, or delaminate under normal use and handling.
Salt Spray Test
Neutral salt spray (NSS) exposure in controlled chamber. Evaluates corrosion resistance of plated surfaces over extended exposure periods up to 96 hours.
Color Measurement
Spectrophotometer measurement using CIE Lab color space. Delta-E values tracked per batch to ensure color consistency across production runs within specified tolerance.
Thickness Measurement
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry for non-destructive coating thickness measurement. Verifies plating thickness meets specification at multiple points per batch.
Chemical Resistance
Exposure to common household and industrial chemicals including perfumes, detergents, and perspiration simulants. Confirms plating withstands real-world environmental conditions.
Sample Confirmation
Our structured sample approval process ensures your finish specifications are met before full production begins. Each step is documented and tracked.
Specification Review
You provide color references (Pantone, RAL, physical sample, or digital hex value), target finish type, and base material. Our engineering team reviews for manufacturability and provides a feasibility report within 2 business days.
Lab Sample Production
Our finishing lab produces a small batch of plated samples using your specified process and material. Typically 5-10 sample chain segments are prepared, each labeled with batch and process parameters for traceability.
Internal Quality Check
Before shipping samples to you, our QC team performs all standard tests: thickness measurement, adhesion test, color measurement, and visual inspection under D65 lighting. A test report is included with each sample shipment.
Customer Approval
You receive physical samples with the test report. Review color, finish, and feel under your own lighting conditions. Approve as-is, or request adjustments with specific feedback. Up to two rounds of adjustment are included at no extra charge.
Production & Delivery
Upon approval, the approved sample becomes the golden reference standard. Full production proceeds with in-process QC checks against the reference. Final inspection and shipment with certificate of conformance.