QuestionHello,
I would like to know if it's "standard" to rhodium 14kt white gold? I took a ring that has been in my family for many years to a well known jewelry story to get sized and they have to repair a crack. (It has the date 1962 engraved in it). They are going to rhodium plate it. Can you please tell me if this is common practice? It's an old ring and the band is still shiny and in good shape, minus the crack (hairline), at the top. I'm just a little concerned, because I'm afraid the color will look different on the band, from what it is now. They told me rhodium was more of a white color.
Thank you for taking the time to read my question. I appreciate that!
Beth Wilson
AnswerBeth, the subject of rhodium has been one of the popular topics on questions I have received during the last year or so. White gold is quite trendy now and so is rhodium plating.
What is Rhodium? Rhodium is a metal in the platinum group of metals. It is inert essentially, hypo allergenic and hard and durable. The color is whiter than white gold and has a bright very white look when electroplated onto a properly polished white gold ring.
There are a few reasons folks have rings rhodium plated. The first is to keep white gold from showing a "yellowish tinge" and to help the metal stay very white looking. Of course, this color is the rhodium and not the color of white gold. Still, the color is not a significant enough change to worry about it. And, after time the rhodium will wear away, leaving the natural white gold. You see, some ladies have been of late so concerned with white gold showing a yellowish tinge (and some whiter gold does this more than others, regardless of karat) that they routinely have their rings replated with rhodium.
Another reason for rhodium plating a ring is to help cover the possible discoloration from white gold solders used in repair work. Depending on the solder used to repair a crack, break, etc., the join line may show up as a more yellow or perhaps more gray appearing spot or line. Jewelers do routinely rhodium plate white gold items which have been repaired of breaks, prong rebuilding and other repair which requires adding gold or using solders to join the parts together. The rhodium gives the jewelry a uniform appearance.
What I suggest is this: Ask the jewelers who are doing the work if they can hold off on the rhodium until later. Then give yourself and the ring a good 6 months or so and see if the repair shows any discoloration. If not, just wear it as is! If discoloration shows at the repair, then you can have the ring plated if you desire. Keep in mind that coming back for the plating might call for a much higher charge than if done when the repair is done. To rhodium plate properly, the ring must be refinished again to remove wear from the time you wore it then plated. Ask about the cost if you come back later and ask about a reduction if charges if you choose to have the ring repaired and not rhodium plated. Ask if you can see the ring after repair and prior to plating..a simple request. Then look it over and see if the color look ok to you. If so, you might choose to wear it and see what happens down the road as time passes.
Most white gold rings in a jewelry store have been rhodium plated by the manufacturer. Keep this in mind when thinking of the color difference.
I do hope this answer has been of some help to you. Please do not hesitate to get back to me if you want concerning this question or other thoughts on the subject.
Best wishes with it all.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. May 30,2007 10:19PM
