QuestionQUESTION: Hi Dr Ari!
I have an old gold filled jewelry that shows the brass(?) base metal on some parts due to its age. People say gold filled jewelries don't do this but in this case, mine did. It is unsightly! To my knowledge, gold filled jewelries are created very differently from gold plated ones right?
Now, my question is, it wise to repair damaged gold filled jewelries by having them "re-plated" so to cover portion of the base metals. I'm really wondering if this can be safely done as there is no information anywhere about gold filled repairs.
ANSWER: Hello Robyn,
Yes gold filled is 1/20th pure gold, gold plated is a mocro film of gold electrically bound to a base metal. the only way to repair the worn through jewelry is to have it re plated- tell the service you choose to heavily replate it, if it's a nice piece, or has sentimental value, and then if you wear daily, tell them you'd like a rhodium plating over the gold.
Hope this answers your questions. though feel free to write if you need more clarification.
Best Regards,Ari
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks Dr. Ari, that clarifies a lot. One last question, this may sound silly, but if I have it re plated (so to speak since it was never plated anyway), whats the best way so that the existing gold will be undamaged in the process? Should it be re-plated with the same gold purity with the existing gold filled gold for example?
I want to make sure that the process it will go through is safe as the jewelry in question means a lot to us and is quite old, a 1920s antique.
AnswerHello Again,
Yes have it plated,, tell them you want a heavy plating, with the same purity of gold ( unless 14kt- then go up to 18kt) and then have it plated with rhodium .It is hard and goes over platinum typically but will protect your heirloom for years to come no base meal should ever show through again..And the 18kt will look richer with the coating over it too.
Best regards , Ari
