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Q&As since 1989


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Will white gold redipping stop a newly developed rash?

2005

Hi,

I recently wore my wedding ring, which is white gold, when I was working with grout and tile sealer for my floors. After a few minutes, I realized and took my ring off, but I am afraid the damage was already done. every time I try to wear my wedding ring, I get a red rash on my finger that itches. Could I need my ring re-dipped in order to get it back to normal?

Thanks for any help.

Dana Brenn
consumer - NY, New York

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First of two simultaneous responses --

You can get your wedding ring replated, there are several companies that offer plating and replating of jewelery.

If you have a warrenty on your ring check with the place you purchased it, they will probably be able to send it off for replating. Failing that check with any chain jewelry store, most can send work off to get replated.

Marc Banks
Blacksmith - Shiloh, North Carolina
2005

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

There are a couple of different reasons why the ring may be irritating you; the first is that it may have nickel in it and you may have recently developed an allergy, the second is that there may be a contaminant on it that is irritating your skin.

If the first: re-dipping might help, but any nickel that migrates through the rhodium (I don't know if it would or not, not my specialty) or any scratches through the coating would restart the allergy. I've hear clear nail polish recommended to help against this if it starts up, but I've no idea if it works or not.

If the second: take your ring to a jeweler and ask them to clean it for you, they'll most likely have an ultrasonic cleaning machine that will get rid of a lot of stuff that you might miss. I'd certainly try this before I'd pay to have it re-dipped, although I've done neither, I'd expect the re-dipping to be more expensive.

Good luck!

Jim Gorsich
Compton, California, USA
2005

I agree with trying to return the ring if you have a warranty. Wedding rings should not be sold as plated, they are generally a cast alloy. I haven't heard of a white gold plating process that would actually give you satisfactory wear resistance. Plating wears off over time and you would be in the same boat you're in now. Men's rings are usually 10K because they have better wear resistance (less gold). The only precious metal I would plate it in would be Rhodium. The deposit is very hard as plated, and would hold up longer than any other plated metal. Ask your jeweler if they use nickel, silver or platinum as an alloy or "whitener" with the gold. I have always preferred platinum as an alloy for white gold. Good luck!

Mark Baker
process engineer - Malone, New York
2005