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Gold dipped roses, or gold trimmed roses, are real roses that are cut and preserved in a protective shell of high quality gold to make them last a long time. These roses are especially made to be given as gifts on special occasions like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Anniversaries, Birthdays, and other celebrations and events. The idea behind gold dipped roses is to preserve the elegance and beauty of the 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 emotions that have been expressed by roses since forever.

History
The concept of gold dipped roses has been around for quite a long time. However, the technique of making a rose has improved, paying special attention to intricate detail, so that all the delicate and elegant features of a rose are enhanced, protected, and beautified. If the process of gold dipping is state-of-the-art, the rose of high quality, and the gold of a high karat, then the gold dipped rose can be made to last a lifetime.

Varieties
Other varieties of dipped roses include silver, platinum, and even tin roses. Other than whole roses, petals, leaves, and rose orchids are also dipped in precious metal for preservation and decoration.

Procedure
Different companies have different techniques and procedures for making gold dipped roses, and most of the steps involved are patented with each company, and are trade secrets. However, dipping or plating a rose is a time-consuming and painstaking process that involves multiple steps and weeks to prepare the finished product.

Method
Some companies 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 of handcrafting and skill by artisans to make the end product. Whatever the mechanism, the basic procedure, especially for small-scale processing is the same: a real rose, grown especially for the purpose of dipping or plating, is cut and layered with lacquer or an electrophoresing chemical, and then dipped with molten gold (or other metals) to make a hard shell of the metal. At the commercial level, several companies entirely use the process of electroplating the rose with gold for a more durable and professional look. Simplified steps of the process are as below:

1)	Select a healthy and purpose-grown rose which is not yet fully bloomed.

2)	Hand paint or spray the rose with lacquer or an electrophoresing chemical so that the metal will stick to it. Let the chemical dry. This may take a day.

3)	Melt the gold, and dip the rose in it bud-first, holding by the step, for between 60 to 90 seconds, depending upon the desired thickness of the metal. If a light coating is required, dip it for less than 60 seconds, or for a heavier coating, let it dip for more than 90 seconds.

4)     An alternative method which several companies use these days, and that 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)	Let it dry till a hard shell is formed, which may take a couple of days, depending on factors like wind and humidity.

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

Cost
The gold dipped roses are available in the market approximately from anywhere between $69 to $299, depending on the technique used, the karat of the gold that is used for dipping, and the thickness of the coat that results in the weight of the rose. Some roses that come cheap are actually 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.

Gold Dipped Roses as Anniversary Gifts
The importance of an anniversary gift has been reiterated in our art and literature throughout human history. Whether it is related to years of marriage, or years of togetherness in partnership, a gift is often given to commemorate the chronological record. When the record is seen as a major millstone then it becomes even more important. The most important anniversary millstones are generally considered to be the 20th, 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries. In these cases certain metals types are adopted to symbolise the milestone anniversary event. Platinum for 20th, silver for 25th and gold for 50th. In more recent times gold, silver or platinum dipped roses are given as a gift that combines the appropriate metal, with the highly recognized symbol of love that is represented by a single rose. Gold dipped roses are often given for all anniversaries other than silver and platinum.