Letter 12798

Rhodium plating over yellow gold 

My jeweler has suggested that he coat a 14K yellow gold ring with rhodium to give me the white gold appearance that I want. Are there any foreseeable problems with this? It is a custom-made ring and he is trying to avoid the cost of making a new one in white gold.

Jaynie Herger
- Vernon, BC, Canada

It is possible for this project to be successful, but it is unlikely that it will be. The explanation can be found in the responses to letter 1237.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

In response to why white gold turns yellowish the awnser is quite simple thier is no such thing as white gold
gold is gold in color to make it white alloys are added
hence the yellow tint rhodium plating solves the problem but will wear off in time and need to be replated

Carmine Girone
retired jeweler - Pelzer, SC, USA

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