Black Rhodium Ring Discoloration: What Happened & What Are Your Rights?

Question
Hi my husband brought me a 18k black rhodium ring as a gift as I loved the colour of it & the jeweller sold it to us as black gold which I had never heard off before & it was quite expensive $1100AUD I took it back to the same jeweller to have it sized down but when I picked it up it was no longer black it had turned into white gold & to my shock I asked the jeweller what had happened & he then told me that there is no such thing as black gold that it was just rhodium plated or oxydized & that it would have to be redone every 2yrs & I said why wasn't I told this before I purchased the ring & he said becuase I never asked...So I asked for a refund because I was really upset that I was mislead but he told me that I would not be getting a refund that I would love the ring when it finally comes back from being made black again but then he said that he was finding it hard to find someone that could get it as dark as it was so he got someone to black lazer it which I also have never heard of before can you please help me by informing me about this as I am really upset & would just like a refund?

Answer
Lyn
Its unfortunate that you had to deal with a Non Professional, If he did not tell you as you said it was black Rhodium finished you have a case against him as he did not disclose or gave you wrong information when your husband bought the ring. Black Rhodium does wear off over time as you rub the plating through normal wear and tear, Black laser?? not heard of it perhaps its a New process? ask him how it is done with detail? Have him give you a guarantee that it will not happen again or a lifetime warranty against it wearing off....its clearly not what he represented when he sold it....I would not deal with this individual and demand a refund if he does not guarantee his words. If you paid by credit card you can dispute the charge and return the ring, if you paid in cash or check you may have a legal issue and you may have to hire an attorney unfortunately NO ONE wins at this point....
lets hope he is reasonable and amicable.
all the best
Les