Gold-dipped roses

A rose dipped in 24-karat gold

Gold-dipped roses, or gold-trimmed roses, are real roses that are cut and preserved in a protective shell of gold to make them last a long time.<ref name=FM>Template:Cite book</ref> These roses are often given as gifts on special occasions like Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, wedding anniversaries, birthdays, and other celebrations and events. The idea behind gold-dipped roses is to preserve the elegance and beauty of a rose forever in a metal that is just as exquisite and valuable as the rose itself, and to make a permanent and lasting expression of the emotions expressed by the giving of roses.<ref name=HB />

History

The concept of gold-dipped roses has been around for quite a long time.<ref name=FM />Template:Specify However, the techniques of making a rose have improved, paying special attention to intricate details, so that all the features of a rose are enhanced, protected, and beautified. If the process of gold-dipping, the rose and the gold used are of good quality, the gold-dipped rose can be made to last a lifetime.

Varieties

Other varieties of dipped roses include silver, platinum, and even tin roses. Petals, leaves, and rose orchids are also dipped in precious metals for preservation and decoration.<ref name=FM />

Procedure

Different companies have different techniques and procedures for making gold-dipped roses, and most of the steps involved are patented by each company and are trade secrets.<ref name=IM>Template:Cite journal</ref> Dipping or plating a rose is a time-consuming and painstaking process that involves multiple steps and weeks to prepare the finished product.<ref name=HB>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Method

Some companies<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> claim that it requires 60 steps and 3 months of delicate processing to make a gold-dipped rose, while others profess that it requires 30 days to make the end product.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, the basic procedure, especially for small-scale processing, is the same; a rose, grown especially for the purpose of dipping or plating, is cut and layered with lacquer or an electrophoresing chemical and then dipped in molten gold (or another metal) to make a hard shell of metal. At the commercial level, several companies use the process of electroplating the rose with gold for a more durable and professional look. Simplified steps of the process are as below:<ref name=UoL>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>

1. A healthy and purpose-grown rose which is not yet fully bloomed is selected;<ref name=UoL />
2. The rose is hand-painted or sprayed with lacquer or an electrophoresing chemical so that the metal will stick to it, and left to dry, which may take 24 hours;<ref name=UoL />
3. The gold is melted, and the rose is dipped into it bud-first, holding the stem, for between 60 and 90 seconds, depending upon the desired thickness of the metal. If a light coating is required, it is dipped for less than 60 seconds; for a heavier coating, it is dipped for more than 90 seconds.<ref name=UoL />
4. An alternative method, which is especially used for commercial processing, is complete electroplating of the rose first with metals such as copper, and then a final coating of gold.
5. The rose is left to dry until a hard shell is formed, which may take a couple of days, depending on factors such as wind and humidity.<ref name=UoL />

The idea is to preserve the delicacy, features, and pattern of the rose so that it is evident even through the gold plating.

Cost

Gold-dipped roses are available for anywhere between $69 and $299, depending on the technique and vendors, the karat of the gold that is used for dipping, and the thickness of the coating.<ref name=FM /> Some cheaper roses are coated with tin and then lightly sprayed with gold of a lesser quality, like 10 karat. Good quality roses are dipped in 24K gold, and hence are expensive.