wedding ring- gold problem

ok so today i went to pick up our rings that we gave to this one jewelley shop to have engraved. this shop is so great and very well respected, but i will not say their name b/c what i am about to say (about another store) isnt that great and i dont want them to be associated with it.

so i pick up the ring and i look on the inside and it has turned yellow. the store that did the engraving said that sometimes that happens, but it shouldnt have gone that yellow. they then asked me if i was sold the ring as white or yellow gold; to which i answered white gold. they told me that this a yellow gold ring but was dipped in rhodium. they then said it would turn yellowish about every 2 years and i would need to get it dipped about every 2 years. no i trust this store and what they are saying, b/c they are very reputable. i am just mad b/c they sold me the ring as white gold. i also dont want to have the ring dipped every 2 years or so.

so i called the store that i bought it from and they said they would like me to bring it in so they can have a look at it. he said they buy from someone else and that this can happen. he also assured me that if it wasnt white gold he would make sure to replace it with white gold. i am just sort of mad b/c i was sold something else and they never told me it was rhodium dipped.

i know there is a few people that are knowledgeable on jewellery here, i am not. in fact my e ring was the first piece of jewellery i have ever really owned.

what is everyones take on this??

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

Here is something I found using a google search. Eighteen-carat white gold consists of 75% gold mixed with 25% white metals. New white gold rings are usually coated with a hard protective finish of rhodium, a silver-white metal like platinum. To keep a white gold ring looking its best, Gillett's recommends an annual replating of rhodium, since the coating wears off over time.

I have heard of having to dip the white gold ring in rhodium to keep it white.

Here is a link to a different site with the same info http://www.ultimatewedding.com/articles/get.php?action=getarticle&articleid=199

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

I would be very upset to.
I would also take the ring back to the place you bought it and if you paid for white gold you should be given white gold.
Did you have the ring appraised??
My ring is also white gold, I wonder if I will have the same problem when I get mine engraved. I did have mine appraised though...I would think they would be able to tell.
Hmmm....

GOOD LUCK....and make sure you get what you paid for.

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

There is no such thing as white gold. White gold jewelry is relguar yellow gold dipped in rhodium, which gives it the white color. Over time the rhodium wears off and the jewelry will become more yellow looking. The jewelry can be re-dipped to restore it to its original color and luster. It's not a big deal to get the jewelry re-dipped and it comes out looking brand new, but if you want something that will never loose it's white color, you might want to consider platinum, which is a naturally white metal.

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

i didnt have it appraised, because it is just a wedding ring and it isnt flashy at all, so no need to insure it.

FH's ring was also engraved and it didnt turn at all.

my ring turned yellow and it is noticeable. i have been doing some reading up on rhodium and from what i understand is that it isnt a good idea to dip yellow gold in rhodium on items that are worn all the time, it will just wear down quicker.

i am bothered, b/c the jewellery shop said that it was yellow gold dipped in rhodium.

i understand that white gold in general should be dipped every now and then, but if i have to dip my wedding band often (once a year) then that is too much. i know others that have had white gold jewellery and it doesnt need to be dipped often. my ering is white gold and it is still white and shiny. the jeweller that made that one made it with a good alloy mix or something like that.

i am going back to the store where i bought it and talking with them on thursday.

anyone work in the jewelley business?

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

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Posted by stephanielyse

There is no such thing as white gold. White gold jewelry is relguar yellow gold dipped in rhodium, which gives it the white color. Over time the rhodium wears off and the jewelry will become more yellow looking. The jewelry can be re-dipped to restore it to its original color and luster. It's not a big deal to get the jewelry re-dipped and it comes out looking brand new, but if you want something that will never loose it's white color, you might want to consider platinum, which is a naturally white metal.

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see this is where i am confused, this article says that white gold is gold mixed with other alloys:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_gold

from there it is a dull grayish colour. then it is dipped in rhodium to give it a shine. i remember this when we were having my ering made. i saw it and tried it on before it was dipped and it was a dull gray.

if the ring was white gold and rhodium dipped then why is it bright yellow (as in yellow gold)? that would suggest that it was yellow gold and dipped. this is hwy i am confused.

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

Gold is gold and it is ALWAYS yellow!! It does not come in colors...white, green, red. It is mixed with metals and alloys to cause a chemical reaction and turn it different colors. In white gold's case, it is usually rhodium or palladium (a derivative of platinum).

I'm sorry that you seem to be speaking to idiots. I'm in the jewelry industry and you have no idea how much it infuriates me to see posts like these...when girls are told lies because people don't know their sh!t. They'll do anything for a sale...sweetie, there is no such thing as 'pure white gold'.

Also, when hand engraving you're removing a layer of metal with a tool (steel) and etching or engraving letters into the metal, so of course the original metal will be exposed. In this case yellow gold. You should just have it re-dipped in rhodium. It's harmless, cheap and the ring will look brand new.

I hope this helped...please FM if you have any questions!

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

OK, after I wrote my reponse I clicked on the link you provided. It clearly states that white gold is mixed with alloys. You are probably confused because it talks about the 'color' of white gold...that color is achieved AFTER it has been mixed with the alloys.

This is from Winkipedia.com

White gold refers to an alloy of gold and other white metals such as silver, palladium, or nickel. The natural color of white gold is light gray, so jewelry made of white gold is typically coated in highly reflective rhodium (sometimes coated in platinum and palladium), adding a more brilliant shine. Palladium and silver alloys are of higher quality than nickel and are sometimes not coated with rhodium. The purpose of plating is to add luster to grayer jewelry, as well as to prevent oxidation of some of the metals found in the alloys. White gold is not platinum, but is used as a cheaper alternative, usually costing one-third as much as platinum.

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

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Posted by klingklang77

if the ring was white gold and rhodium dipped then why is it bright yellow (as in yellow gold)? that would suggest that it was yellow gold and dipped. this is hwy i am confused.

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This is another story. It's one thing to make the ring from white gold...cast it, mold it, make it from the metal. Another to make it in yellow gold and have it be whole in yellow gold and dip it in rhodium. These are two different things.

White gold, although it's yellow gold mixed with an alloy, should be used from the inception until the end of the jewelry process as a liquid metal in order to make the piece.

But if you have a yellow gold ring dipped in white gold, that's something else. Definitely speak to the place where you bought it and good luck!

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

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Posted by SomethingBlu
Also, when hand engraving you're removing a layer of metal with a tool (steel) and etching or engraving letters into the metal, so of course the original metal will be exposed. In this case yellow gold. You should just have it re-dipped in rhodium. It's harmless, cheap and the ring will look brand new.

I hope this helped...please FM if you have any questions!

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but if it is actually yellow gold underneath, then wont it have to be dipped more so than 'white' (gold mixed with the alloys) gold? this is something that i do not want to have to deal with. i can understand 'white' gold being dipped every now and then to restore its luster, but having to keep re dipping yellow gold on a wedding ring (something that is worn often) just seems pointless.

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

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Posted by SomethingBlu

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Posted by klingklang77

if the ring was white gold and rhodium dipped then why is it bright yellow (as in yellow gold)? that would suggest that it was yellow gold and dipped. this is hwy i am confused.

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This is another story. It's one thing to make the ring from white gold...cast it, mold it, make it from the metal. Another to make it in yellow gold and have it be whole in yellow gold and dip it in rhodium. These are two different things.

White gold, although it's yellow gold mixed with an alloy, should be used from the inception until the end of the jewelry process as a liquid metal in order to make the piece.

But if you have a yellow gold ring dipped in white gold, that's something else. Definitely speak to the place where you bought it and good luck!

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i must have been writing my other response, and i just saw this now.

thank you for your help!

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

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Posted by klingklang77

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Posted by SomethingBlu
Also, when hand engraving you're removing a layer of metal with a tool (steel) and etching or engraving letters into the metal, so of course the original metal will be exposed. In this case yellow gold. You should just have it re-dipped in rhodium. It's harmless, cheap and the ring will look brand new.

I hope this helped...please FM if you have any questions!

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but if it is actually yellow gold underneath, then wont it have to be dipped more so than 'white' (gold mixed with the alloys) gold? this is something that i do not want to have to deal with. i can understand 'white' gold being dipped every now and then to restore its luster, but having to keep re dipping yellow gold on a wedding ring (something that is worn often) just seems pointless.

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you get it re-dipped in rhodium, not white gold. Sasha pointed out that the only way to achieve white gold is to infact dip it. so yes, you will need to get that done every few years.

that's part of the reason I wanted platinum for both e-ring and w-ring. another reason is that platinum won't ever lose it's thickness over time like gold does.

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

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Posted by dleeny

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Posted by klingklang77

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Posted by SomethingBlu
Also, when hand engraving you're removing a layer of metal with a tool (steel) and etching or engraving letters into the metal, so of course the original metal will be exposed. In this case yellow gold. You should just have it re-dipped in rhodium. It's harmless, cheap and the ring will look brand new.

I hope this helped...please FM if you have any questions!

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but if it is actually yellow gold underneath, then wont it have to be dipped more so than 'white' (gold mixed with the alloys) gold? this is something that i do not want to have to deal with. i can understand 'white' gold being dipped every now and then to restore its luster, but having to keep re dipping yellow gold on a wedding ring (something that is worn often) just seems pointless.

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you get it re-dipped in rhodium, not white gold. Sasha pointed out that the only way to achieve white gold is to infact dip it. so yes, you will need to get that done every few years.

that's part of the reason I wanted platinum for both e-ring and w-ring. another reason is that platinum won't ever lose it's thickness over time like gold does.

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the way i understand (in another post, not the one you quoted) it is that she said that yellow gold is mixed with other alloys to make it white gold (then made into a ring or whatever), then it is dipped for that shine.

but this ring appears to be yellow gold underneath, and then it was dipped in rhodium. and if it is in fact yellow gold underneath, then it will have to be dipped more then a white gold ring would have to. i want the ring to be 'white' gold from the beginning, not yellow gold.

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

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Posted by klingklang77


the way i understand (in another post, not the one you quoted) it is that she said that yellow gold is mixed with other alloys to make it white gold (then made into a ring or whatever), then it is dipped for that shine.

but this ring appears to be yellow gold underneath, and then it was dipped in rhodium. and if it is in fact yellow gold underneath, then it will have to be dipped more then a white gold ring would have to. i want the ring to be 'white' gold from the beginning, not yellow gold.

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here is what Sasha (SomethingBlu) said:

'Gold is gold and it is ALWAYS yellow!! It does not come in colors...white, green, red. It is mixed with metals and alloys to cause a chemical reaction and turn it different colors. In white gold's case, it is usually rhodium or palladium (a derivative of platinum).

I'm sorry that you seem to be speaking to idiots. I'm in the jewelry industry and you have no idea how much it infuriates me to see posts like these...when girls are told lies because people don't know their sh!t. They'll do anything for a sale...sweetie, there is no such thing as 'pure white gold'.

Also, when hand engraving you're removing a layer of metal with a tool (steel) and etching or engraving letters into the metal, so of course the original metal will be exposed. In this case yellow gold. You should just have it re-dipped in rhodium. It's harmless, cheap and the ring will look brand new.'

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

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Posted by SomethingBlu

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Posted by klingklang77

if the ring was white gold and rhodium dipped then why is it bright yellow (as in yellow gold)? that would suggest that it was yellow gold and dipped. this is hwy i am confused.

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This is another story. It's one thing to make the ring from white gold...cast it, mold it, make it from the metal. Another to make it in yellow gold and have it be whole in yellow gold and dip it in rhodium. These are two different things.

White gold, although it's yellow gold mixed with an alloy, should be used from the inception until the end of the jewelry process as a liquid metal in order to make the piece.

But if you have a yellow gold ring dipped in white gold, that's something else. Definitely speak to the place where you bought it and good luck!

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^^what about this post??

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

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Posted by klingklang77

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Posted by SomethingBlu

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Posted by klingklang77

if the ring was white gold and rhodium dipped then why is it bright yellow (as in yellow gold)? that would suggest that it was yellow gold and dipped. this is hwy i am confused.

---

This is another story. It's one thing to make the ring from white gold...cast it, mold it, make it from the metal. Another to make it in yellow gold and have it be whole in yellow gold and dip it in rhodium. These are two different things.

White gold, although it's yellow gold mixed with an alloy, should be used from the inception until the end of the jewelry process as a liquid metal in order to make the piece.

But if you have a yellow gold ring dipped in white gold, that's something else. Definitely speak to the place where you bought it and good luck!

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^^what about this post??

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I would definitely speak with the store you bought the ring from and ask them why this happened. it's a shame that the jewelry biz is so slimy. good luck!

Re: wedding ring- gold problem

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Posted by klingklang77

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Posted by SomethingBlu

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Posted by klingklang77

if the ring was white gold and rhodium dipped then why is it bright yellow (as in yellow gold)? that would suggest that it was yellow gold and dipped. this is hwy i am confused.

---

This is another story. It's one thing to make the ring from white gold...cast it, mold it, make it from the metal. Another to make it in yellow gold and have it be whole in yellow gold and dip it in rhodium. These are two different things.

White gold, although it's yellow gold mixed with an alloy, should be used from the inception until the end of the jewelry process as a liquid metal in order to make the piece.

But if you have a yellow gold ring dipped in white gold, that's something else. Definitely speak to the place where you bought it and good luck!

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^^what about this post??

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I'm sorry, I didn't see this until today!!

Yes, it's one thing to make the ring out of a metal (say yellow gold) and then dip it in rhodium or plate it in another metal and call it 'white gold'. You are trusting that this is not the case and have no reason to believe the jeweler did this, so how are you to know? You have to contact the place where you purchased it from.

But, white gold jewelry should be made from white gold (white gold itself is yellow gold mixed with alloys) so that 'inside' it is white gold...I hope I'm not confusing you further!!