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Is part Rhodium plating possible?

I'm not sure if I am posting this question correctly, however any advice would be gratefully received! My wedding ring is 9 carat yellow gold, sandwiching a band of white gold, which is evident from both the inside and outside of the ring. I have a problem in as much as the inside of the white part of the ring, which is in contact with my skin, is rather discoloured (black in colour) and is making my finger discoloured, weepy and rather sore. Could you please advise if it is possible to Rhodium plate only part of a ring and if this would be likely to solve my problem? The gold outer bands of the ring are not discoloured, neither is the white band(not in contact with my skin) on the outside of the ring.

Jacqueline Smith
- Maidstone, Kent, England

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Yes it is possible and practical to electroplate a selective area of the ring. I can think of no reason why it couldn't be done. Your allergy is most likely to nickel. A heavy gold plate or rhodium plate should fix it, but heavy plating is obviously more expensive than light plating.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey