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White gold fading after 3 weeks of use

Ed. note; This is an interesting thread, and only one of many. Before you get too confused, you might want to start with our FAQ on Rhodium Plating and White Gold to get an overall understanding :-)

 2004

Please help,

I really had no clue about diamonds or metal working when my girlfriend and I went to several jewelers to look for rings. After searching all of the local and surrounding stores, we found one ring and was an 18kt white gold setting. After a week I couldn't hold out any longer and gave it to her and proposed. This was mid december 2004. She has worn it for about 3 weeks now and it is a light gold already. Not knowing anything, I didn't receive any certifications on the diamond or any other paperwork for that matter. I did receive a receipt. The company's name is Christophers here in Des Moines IA. I am supposed to take it in this friday for certification of the diamond and also a free rhodium plating. I'm not sure what questions I need to ask but this site has done quite a lot to open my eyes to exactly what I've gotten into. My fiance and her parents are in full panic mode thinking that I've been ripped off. I don't believe such after what I've read here. She does love the ring and I've convinced her that we can deal with replating it. We are not rich but have enough for a simple plating now and then.

My concerns are that I'm asking the right questions and have the right information on what exactly I have for a ring here. A list of questions for anyone with a deal of knowledge will be helpful. I plan to present these questions to the jeweler when I return there with it. We are happy with the ring and setting. We are not happy with the discoloration. Thank You

Andrew Egland
fareway distribution - Ames , Iowa

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First of two simultaneous responses -- 2004

Firstly Congratulations! I'm glad to hear of your good fortune and I hope the both of you are very happy together.

Now here are a few things you need to know, firstly rhodium plating is robust, but not eternal. The ring will have to be replated every year or so, the plating wears off, and WILL be ruined if you have to have a repair done. Next, you need understand gold karats. 24 karat is 99.99% pure gold, 18k is about 75% pure gold, and 25% other metals (commonly nickel or other metal, be careful about nickel as some people have nickel alergies, have your fiance go to a dermatologist if she gets a rash around the ring). You need to find out what the other metal used in the ring was, if not nickel, you probably won't have any problem.

First make sure that the ring was initialy rhodium plated when you purchased it, if it has severely discolored they will need to replate the ring. They will have to send it out to a commercial plating company as the chemicals used are toxic.

Now, the metal content of the ring and it's surface plating are the two things you need to confirm in reguards to the auctual ring.

As for the stone? Well there are diamonds and then there are diamonds, I DO suggest an independent appraisal, if you have a Facets Jewelers, or similar that is not attached to the place you got the ring go there and have them appraise the ring, this will also give you plenty of information on the ring. If you don't goto the local mall, stop in the jewelry store ask where they get their jewelry appraisals done, they are usualy willing to give this information freely.

Anywho, an independent appraiser will not be biased towards the place where you purchased the ring, they are much more likely to give an honest report on the stone quality, weight, compisition, and the quality of the plating. You need to confirm the color, cut, quality (inperfections and discolorations), and to ensure that there are no fractures in the stone. Some less reputable jewelers have been known to purchase cheap stones with fractres and fill them with epoxy which effectivly hides the fractures to the naked eye. Another reason for the appraisal. If you have any problems or questions, some of my close friends are jewelers, and I'll be happy to pass your questions on. Once again congratulations and good luck.

Marc Banks
- Elizabeth City, North Carolina

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Second of two simultaneous responses -- 2005

You probably haven't been ripped off. Chances are the diamond is fine and worth what you paid for it. Likewise the white gold probably contains 18/24 pure gold if it is marked 18K (that seems a very high karat, especially for white gold).

But all pure gold is the familiar yellow color and the way the ring is made white is either by using a white "bleaching" metal like palladium or nickel for the non-gold portion of the alloy, or by rhodium plating, or (preferably and most likely) both. Rhodium is more expensive than gold, not less, so you're not being cheated by the rhodium plating (although you should have been told about it). But I suspect your ring probably looks somewhat yellow without the rhodium plating and needs a very high quality rhodium plating job which can best be done at a properly equipped plating shop. Ask them if they are sending it out to a reputable ISO 9001 plating shop for quality plating, or whether they intend to try to plate your precious heirloom a 2nd time in a teacup in the back room as if it were a 3rd grade science project :-)

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

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See 32436 below. It explains a bit about gold and rhodium jewellery.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2005

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My wife's engagment ring is becoming discolored. Let me explain. The ring is white gold and where it comes in contact with her wedding band it is turning light gold. The inside of the ring where it comes in contact with her skin is still very "White". Her wedding band is very "white" as well with no yellowing. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

Brandon Kelly
U.S. Coast Guard - Chesapeake, Virginia
2005