The electroplating process involves passing an electric current through a conductive solution called an electrolyte. The metal atoms that plate an object come from the electrolyte, so if you want to gold-plate a jewellery piece, the electrolyte must be made from a solution of a gold salt. Two terminals called electrodes are then dipped into the electrolyte and connected to a circuit with a power supply. When electricity flows through the circuit, the electrolyte splits and some of the metal atoms it contains are deposited in a thin layer on top of one of the electrodes to become electroplated. The longer the process continues, the greater the thickness of the coating.