QuestionI have a gold ring with sapphires that I purchased many years ago in S. Korea. It was marked 18K, and the store said it was also, however in the past year it has started to get a reddish tinge in some areas.
Also have a gold coin (china) that was mounted for use as a pendant. It is listed as .999 AU, however on one side it is doing the same thing, getting a reddish tinge. Not all over, kinda spotty. Do you have any ideas why? Or maybe these were counterfeits? The coin was purchased by my mother several years ago through home shopping network! Thanks for any way you can help. Pat
AnswerPat, thanks for this question. We possibly have one of two things going on here. The first is that the items may not be as stated. The second is that exposure to environmental stuff over the years has brought about a tarnish on the gold (or on solders used in the ring).
Yes, gold will tarnish. Only pure or 24k (999) will avoid eventual tarnish problems. Sometimes, a discoloration is due to contact with make-up and other items a woman sometimes uses to start the day. At other times it could be from exposure to bleaches and cleansers containing chlorine.
The 999 coin should not be showing a tarnish but still, some chemicals will leave a surface discoloration. Iodine is one chemical which will discolor the surface.
The ring may be showing discoloration from solders used in assembly of the ring while the metal may be 18k.
The only way to know for sure is to take the items to a jeweler who will test the metal of each item. Call ahead first to see if the business will test gold since many stores do not have a working jeweler in house and do not test gold.
I wish you the best is this. You are encouraged to use the follow-up to get back to me if you need to do that.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. June 7, 2008 9:37pm
