Research & Development
An in-house laboratory and continuous testing drive the development of more effective, controlled, and measurable processes to enhance every stage of jewelry finishing and support jewelry companies, fashion accessory manufacturers, and the processing of metal or combined material components.
The driving force behind our innovation
Continuous testing
We operate with a continuous improvement mindset: every process is subjected to non-stop testing to analyze quality levels and constantly elevate results.
Consulting services
Finchem’s consulting services are born within our Research & Development department, always rooted in precise data obtained from laboratory analysis, and strictly aimed at process optimization.
Fully equipped laboratory
In our laboratory, we manage every single step of the jewelry finishing cycle by replicating a complete production line that includes a finishing area, quality control, electroplating, and metal recovery.
In-house machinery fleet
All the machinery we utilize is manufactured in-house and rigorously tested throughout the complete operational production cycle.
The digital microscope
The most vital instrument in our laboratory is the Keyence VHX-6000 3D high-resolution digital microscope, which allows us to visualize even the smallest imperfections that would go undetected by a standard microscope.
We utilize the digital microscope for:
Testing phases: to evaluate the uniformity, brilliance, and surface roughness of the sample piece.
Process evaluation: to verify output quality at various steps throughout the production cycle.
Final quality checks: before packaging and delivery to the customer.
Our laboratory setup
A complete and highly efficient system
Surface finishing department 
Precious metal recovery 
Quality control department 
Electroplating department
Surface finishing department
In the surface finishing department, products are tested and processed to achieve the exact degree of finishing required. Upon completion of this phase, the samples are transferred to Quality Control for analysis.
Equipment list
- Bombing System (Chemical Brightening System)
- Magnetic Pin Tumbler
- Centrifugal Dryer
- 6-Liter Centrifugal Disk Finisher (Turbo)
- 18-Liter Centrifugal Disk Finisher (Turbo)
- 60-Liter Centrifugal Disk Finisher (Turbo)
- Sandblasting Machine
- 15-Liter Vibratory Bowl (3)
- 60-Liter Vibratory Bowl (2)
- 110-Liter Vibratory Bowl (3)
- REP1 Electropolishing System
- REP2MAX Electropolishers
- Precious Metal Recovery & Washing
- System for REP1
- Ultrasonic Cleaner
Precious metal recovery
Within our laboratory, we have a dedicated area for precious metal recovery equipped with every system available in our product catalog: water filtration for vibratory bowls and electropolishing systems, filtration for acidic electroplating wastewater, and electrolytic recovery systems.
Equipment list
- Dedicated Metal Recovery System for the BOMBING Process
- 4-Column Deionization (DI) Water System (2)
- Recirculation System for Soapy Wastewater*
- Recirculation System for Acidic Wastewater**
* **Used for rinsing parts after ultrasonic cleaning or chemical/acid pickling to drastically reduce water consumption.
Quality control department
The in-house quality control department within our laboratory is the analytical testing area where every sample piece is evaluated for alloy fineness, initial and final surface roughness, and color profile.
Equipment list
- Oxford Thickness Gauge
- Bowman Thickness Gauge
- Keyence VHX-6000 Digital Optical Microscope
- 3nh Colorimeter
Electroplating department
In addition to our contract manufacturing service, Finchem supports clients with an in-house electroplating department within the Research & Development division. This area is dedicated to testing, sampling, and application trials until the final finished product is successfully achieved.
Equipment & Bath list
- Gold Plating Bath (5)
- Platinum Plating Bath
- Cobalt Plating Bath
- Rhodium Plating Bath
- Copper Plating Bath (2 + 1 acidic)
- Ultrasonic Cleaner (4)
- Steam Cleaner
- Dryers (2)
- Black Gold Plating Bath (2)
- Ruthenium Plating Bath
- Palladium-Iron Plating Bath
- White Bronze Plating Bath
- Silver Plating Bath (2)
- Flash Rose Gold Plating Bath
- 21k Gold Plating Bath (MC)
- Rose Gold Plating Bath
- Hamilton Gold Plating Bath
- 1-Column Deionization (DI) Water System
Tools for continuous improvement
Our laboratory is the heart of the Research & Development department and a space entirely dedicated to continuous improvement. Having an in-house laboratory equipped with a next-generation digital microscope allows us to constantly expand our expertise, maintain total control over our clients' processes, and intervene to always guarantee the highest standards.
We test
- Machinery: to maximize productivity and unlock peak operational functionality
- Results: to verify that processed pieces strictly comply with the desired quality standards.
- Processes: to ensure the entire production line operates flawlessly
- Incoming and outgoing products: to analyze both initial material quality and the standard of the final processed product