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Q&As since 1989


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Discolored, dull, 14K white gold wedding band

We recently purchased a 14K white gold comfort fit wedding band. I have sold jewelry and even managed a store in the past, and have never seen such a dull looking band in my life. I was previously married, and for 36 years my plain white gold band always looked shiny. This one for my new marriage is very dull and really a mess. I looked in the inner circle, which is actually a little shiny, and it says it is 14 K FG gold. What in the world is that? Never heard of it. If it stands for fine gold, what a horrible myth! Please help. Do I need to return the darn thing? It is really embarrassing when it is on since April 4th, when we got married and it is so horribly dull.........

Thanks so much for your help......Patti

Patti
jewelry sales - Greensburg, Pennsylvania
2007

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"14 K FG" stands for fourteen karat fool's gold, Patti.

Sorry, only kidding. I don't know what it means but one of our readers probably will.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

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2007

Patti,
It sounds like a poor job of rhodium plating on the ring. If it is that new, I would return it. About 90% of white gold jewelry is rhodium plated now and the average jewelry manufacturer may not have the expertise to plate it properly. The price of rhodium is over $5000 per ounce and many companies only use a very thin plating. There are some endless threads on this website with complaints about discoloration on white gold items due to poor rhodium plating.

Good luck,

Jim Sivertsen
Alloys & Refining - Alden, New York