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Q&As since 1989


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Changing mounting from yellow to white gold

I would like to change my yellow gold mounting to white gold or platinum is it possible to just dip the ring or do I need to buy a whole new mounting entirely?

Shannon L [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Las Vegas, Nevada
2003

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I am currently having my 14 kt yellow gold wedding band and engagement rings rhodium plated for this same reason. I have no idea how long it is going to last, as I have been told the rhodium wears off but I am not ready to invest in a new setting and prefer the "white" look to the yellow gold jewelry. Does anyone else have any experience with this...will I be disappointed?

Pamela S [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
2004

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You'll probably be dissappointed ladies. Although white gold settings are not the brilliant color of rhodium (they are a little grayish), the contrast is slight. So as the rhodium plating begins to wear thin, or wear away in small spots, it is not apparent for a good while. Put that same plating on a yellow gold ring, where the contrast is strong and obvious, and the minute the plating has a tiny wear spot it will look bad.

Apparently some jewelers are reducing their inventory by rhodium plating yellow gold rings instead of also stocking white gold versions, and many disenchanted customers are rightfully screaming about it on the pages of this website.

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

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