Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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White gold and rhodium plating...

2004

Wow this is the first place I read about rhodium.. I got my ring of February, and just took it in to have the prongs checked and have it cleaned and polished. My jeweler did tell me (and my fiance) at the time of purchase that we would have to "replate it", but my fiance doesn't remember.

Anyway when I picked it up WOW! it looked beautiful! yes when I dropped it off, besides for the six month "check up" I was, as was fiance, concerned that it was fading on the palm side.

I feel confident of my jeweler.. and if I have to pay (which she said she would never charge me :) ) to keep my ring this beautiful I will.. I am in love with my ring again like I was the day I got it.. so girls plate away..its no biggie! I am also confident that my ring is white gold underneath and not yellow..that could be a concern for some I'm sure..be careful of that..find someone you can trust..

I have also realized (after six months ugghh!) that I should not be wearing my ring while cleaning the bathroom or using any harsh chemicals.. I have been told to just soak my ring in dish soap overnight to clean it.. but GIRLS IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU GET IT CLEANED AND POLISHED PROFESSIONALLY! keep up on the maintenance.. ok I'm done.. happy engagement to me and to all of you that are newly engaged.

Julie Cottle
- San Diego, California

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Hi, Julie. Best wishes!

We have an FAQ: White Gold and Rhodium Plating which explains in one page everything that people need to know about white gold jewelry.

While some people don't like the fact that rhodium plating must periodically be replated, you have explained the other side of it well: there is no metal in the world nearly as bright and dazzling as rhodium plating. When you want everybody's eye, and that glint that makes the diamonds look bigger because it's hard to tell where the stones stop and the metal begins, there's nothing like rhodium.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September 1, 2009

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