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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Rhodium over yellow gold

 

After ordering pair of white gold and diamond earrings, the jeweler told me that the settings arrived in yellow gold. He told me that he could rhodium the yellow gold and it would be fine or, he could rhodium the points where the diamonds touch and leave the backs, yellow gold. Now that last option is unacceptable, but in researching the first option, I understand that in time, the rhodium will begin to wear off. Is this true?

Thank you all in advance.

Sharon Philips
- Huntington Station, New York

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See letter 1237 please. If it was the jeweler's fault, ask for a guarantee in writing. It is probably possible to plate the rhodium heavily enough that it will last for a few years, but unlikely that the jeweler will plate it that heavy since rhodium costs a lot (about 10 times as much as gold) and because thicker plating requires purer solutions and better process control than is possible with the usual on-site 'plating in a teacup' or 'plating with a pen'.

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