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Quality of wedding ring/rhodium plating

2003

Hi,

My wedding ring is white gold and I believe needs a rhodium plating as it seems to have a coating that is gradually wearing away. I bought this ring in Tenerife so does not have a UK hall mark but has "650" stamped inside can you what does this means and can you tell from this the quality of the gold? It is an extremely heavy ring with 6 diamonds and we paid approx. £1000.00 for it, I really worried I think that I have paid over the odds for my wedding ring not that this matter because it is precious to me. What are your thoughts without seeing it?

Thanks,

Vicki Peters
- London, UK

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I'd be confident your ring is worth what you paid for it. Unfortunately, the rhodium plating on a ring does not last forever because it is a coating and coatings wear; but if it was a poor job it doesn't last long at all. Find a quality precious metal plating shop and they will have the standards, skills, and expensive instrumentation to apply a rhodium plating that will last a good long time. If you take it to a jeweler, get their assurance that they send it out for plating; you can't do quality plating by eye in a teacup on the corner of a desk in the back of the jewelry shop.

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