Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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I NEED TO KNOW IF MY RING BEING MADE W/O RHODIUM IS A SCAM OR LEGAL?

I have a "white gold" ring after 4 months it has begin to tarnish very badly. When I first went back to the jeweler he told me it just needed cleaning. After several weeks it got much worse, then and only then did he explain it was because of the rhodium plating.....he states that he did not make his rings with that ingredient and that he would take care of it for me. So my question is should I investigate any further or is this how it is.
1. am I going to have to have this done all the time or will this one time be enough?
2. should I be demanding my money back because it should have been made with rhodium in the first place? I was to get my fiancee's band there should I just go elsewhere? is this a scam or legal?

KENYA T. [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
student - DETROIT, Michigan
2006

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If I understood your situation, Kenya, you have a white gold ring which was not initially rhodium plated.

Years ago white gold was never rhodium plated. It's fine if you like the somewhat more mellow look. Some people prefer it, and it's certainly not illegal.

But this is an age of bling, and these days many people prefer the gleam of rhodium plating to the look of bare white gold, and there is nothing wrong with adding the plating if you like that look either. Any plating, no matter how well done, is temporary because rings wear, and any surface plating will obviously wear before the metal underneath it can wear.

We have an FAQ on "Rhodium Plating and White Gold". Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006