Rhodium Plating Removal from Gemstones: What You Need to Know

Question
I bought a gold ring from HSN with a pave setting of sapphires and emerald, and  the emerald has rhodium plating under it. I have it resized. the jeweler tightened the prong in the emerald because  it was not holding the stone. Unfortunately, for some reason the rhodium plating was removed, thus the stones does not have even coloring. I told the jeweler why he removed the rhodium plating and denies doing anything about the ring. He said that he just submerged the ring ina a solution and tried to clean it and "black stuff" just came out of the ring. Do rhodium plating come off just like that? it is so disappointing because the beauty of the stone is gone. I would appreciate it if you will answer my question. Thanks -- Vi

Answer
HI VITA,

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE RHODIUM PLATING MAY HAVE PEELED OFF UNDER THE STONE. IF THE RING WAS RESIZED IT WAS HEATED AND THIS COULD REMOVE THE RHODIUM. DURING MANUFACTURING THE RING MAY HAVE GOTTEN OIL OR DIRT IN A VERY SMALL AMOUNT THAT CAUSED THE RHODIUM NOT TO BIND SUFFICIENTLY. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT CAUSED THE RHODIUM TO COME OFF. TO FIX IT YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE EMERALD REMOVED AND THE RING REPLATED WHERE THE RHODIUM CAME OFF THEN REPLACE THE EMERALD. SOME OF THE HSN PIECES ARE NOT MADE AS WELL AS THEY SHOULD BE. I USED TO MANUFACTURE JEWELRY FOR THEM IN THAILAND AND I HAD TO CUT CORNERS AND GET THINGS DONE FAST AND CHEAP TO MATCH THEIR ORDERS. THAT IS WHY THEY ARE SO INEXPENSIVE. THANKS

PETER