Hardware Restoration: Salvatore Ferragamo Gancini Buckle
This iconic Salvatore Ferragamo Gancini buckle was brought to our workshop for a complete aesthetic overhaul. Years of regular use had taken a toll on its metallic finish, diminishing the luxury appeal of the accessory.
Reported Issues
Upon inspection, the buckle displayed significant signs of wear:
- Heavy Tarnishing and Oxidation: The silver-toned component was dull, cloudy, and heavily tarnished, having lost all its reflective quality. The gold-toned Gancini loop was lackluster and showed signs of oxidation.
- Deep Scratches and Scuffs: Both surfaces of the buckle were covered in numerous micro-scratches and scuffs from daily contact and friction.
- Loss of Shine: The overall finish was worn out, lacking the sharp, mirror-like polish expected from a luxury piece. The distinction between the gold and silver metals was muted.
The Atelier's Intervention (Our Process)
Restoring plated hardware requires a precise, multi-stage process to achieve a factory-fresh finish without damaging the piece. Our specialists performed the following steps:
- Deep Chemical Cleaning: The buckle was first submerged in a specialized cleaning solution to dissolve and lift away years of accumulated grime, oils, and surface-level tarnish.
- Multi-Stage Surface Polishing: We then performed a meticulous polishing process. Using progressively finer compounds, our artisans carefully removed the layers of scratches and oxidation from both the silver and gold sections. This step is critical to create a perfectly smooth foundation for the new plating.
- Electroplating (Replating): The most transformative step was the replating. The silver section was electroplated with a new, durable layer of precious metal (like rhodium) to give it a brilliant, tarnish-resistant shine. The Gancini loop was replated with a rich layer of gold to restore its vibrant, luxurious color.
- Final High-Gloss Buffing: After plating, the buckle was given a final buff with a soft polishing wheel to achieve a flawless, mirror-like finish and enhance the crisp definition between the two tones.
The Result
The Salvatore Ferragamo buckle is now completely transformed. It has been restored to its original showroom condition, boasting a brilliant, scratch-free mirror finish. The gold is vibrant and lustrous, and the silver is crisp and bright, making the iconic design stand out once again. This restoration not only revives the buckle's beauty but also protects it for future years of use.
