QuestionI recently had rhodium plating re-applied to my engagement ring and wedding band. The engagement ring was turning to a slight yellow color and the wedding band needed to be buffed and polished due to scratches.
I now have the rings back and both have light brown spots on them in numerous places. What causes this? Should I bring it back to the jeweler to have them fix this? Is this normal?
Thank you,
Sharon
AnswerSharon, it is not normal for a properly done rhodium plate to be spotty. I am not sure of the brownish color you describe but when I see an item which did not plate properly, there are generally smudgy areas, whitish areas, etc.
What happens? The prime consideration is any sort of plating is cleanliness. That means not just clean to the eye but all traces of waxes from polishing compounds, finger prints, etc., must be totally removed. The process is in general like this: Buffed to the desired polish, cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, cleaned additionally with high pressure steam, then placed in an electrocleaner solution. The electrocleaner is a caustic solution and is used with electricity to remove even the minute traces of surface contamination which may remain after the other cleaning. The surface is essentially prepared to take the plate cleanly. Perhaps your rings were not cleaned as thoroughly as needed prior to plating.
Another possibility is the rhodium solution was not at correct temperature or voltages were incorrect, possibly too high. These conditions will sometimes create undesirable darker areas of plate.
When done properly, there should be no surface defect indications the rhodium was applied.
I suggest you show the rings to the jeweler and ask about the spotting. The job should be redone, as I see it.
I do hope this helps you in some way.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. August 6,2007 2:13pm
