In the world of fashion and trends, white is in and gold is out. Many customers are looking for that quick fix to change their jewelry, but we have a few words of caution before you consider “painting your gold”. My first suggestion is to redesign your diamond into a new white gold ring. Because, in my opinion, the “diamonds” really are the lasting memory that can be reset into a design that you will cherish for another generation. Continue on to learn about rhodium plating.
Question
Hi,
I recently inherited a diamond ring. I would like to start wearing it every day, but unfortunately it is yellow gold and I do not like the yellow gold color. Are there options for me to change the color? I’d like to keep the ring as is, just get it dipped in white gold or something. I’m not sure if that is even done, but I thought I’d ask. If it can be done, can it be done at your jewelry store?
Thanks for your help.
Answer
This is a very common question. I know there can be an attachment to something old, especially when it belonged to a close family member.
My first suggestion is to redesign your diamond into a new white gold ring. Because, in my opinion, the “diamonds” really are the lasting memory that can be reset into a design that you will cherish for another generation.
The second option is to have the ring rhodium plated. Rhodium is a very hard, inert and durable metal. The “dipping” process is really electroplating in a water solution containing rhodium is used with electricity to bond a layer of the metal onto the gold. When done with a yellow gold ring, the ring comes out very white and looks nice. We do this for a few ladies who simply have yellow items and want the trendy white color!
The drawback is that even hard and durable, rhodium will eventually wear off. Then, to keep the white color the ring must be re-plated with rhodium. How long the plate will last and stay white is not easily predicted. Why? I don’t know how thick the plate will be in the first place and don’t know the conditions where the ring is worn.
Generally, ladies who have us rhodium plate items get about a year on the average for a well done rhodium plate. This is different for everyone and some will last longer, some less time. Still, this is the best option for making the yellow ring into a ring with a white color.
White gold rings are not plated with white gold to cover a yellow base metal. White gold rings are generally rhodium plated to “brighten” the white gold look. The rhodium will eventually wear off to reveal the true white base color. A white gold ring will NEVER look yellow!
Rhodium is the most expensive precious metal on the market and is in the platinum family of metals. Still, the refinishing and rhodium plating of the ring should not be very expensive. Here, we charge about $30.00 to refinish and plate with rhodium.
Most regular jewelry stores who have a bench jeweler on the premises, like Golden Creations, should be able to do the work. A bench jeweler is not the sales person but the one who actually “sits at a workbench” and does the jewelry work. Make a few phone calls to find out who does the rhodium plating and what the basic charge might be. If you can’t find someone in your area, feel free to stop by and I will re-rhodium the ring for you while you wait.
I do hope this helps a little. Get back to me if you need more information.
Frank.
April 21, 2009