The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
  

  -----

Rhodium plated Yellow Gold!? They can't do what I want!

January 20, 2009

I have recently gone through the long process of buying a stunning 3 carat diamond ring. I chose the Champagne Colour centre stone in Yellow Gold Claws, with the two baguet stones either side to be set in white gold with a thick white gold band. Perfect, done and Sold!

I have received a phone call from the lady saying they can't do the design I want, I will have to go, all white gold (And loose the soft effect of the Champagne coloured stone) or get the ring completely done in yellow gold and get the band and other claws plated in Rhodium. Now all of the blogs I have read are telling me that rhodium is great and looks fantastic. But what about it being on yellow gold!? The lady told me that I should at least get 3-4 years out of my Rhodium plated ring before having to re-plate it, but is it worth getting yellow gold plated if it shows specks so much?

I'm confused about if this is a smart choice to make, or should I choose another design?

Regards,

Natasha Foote
Student - Australia

Hi, Natasha. Rings are high-wear items. Based on hundreds of complaints here, I think you will be very unhappy with rhodium plated yellow gold. I think you should go with rhodium plating on a white gold ring.

As for the yellow claws for the center stone, I am not a jeweler and cannot answer the question of whether yellow gold claws can be soldered to a white gold ring, but I don't see any reason white gold claws could not be brush plated with yellow gold. The wear on the claws will be very little and they should stay yellow for a very long time.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
January 20, 2009

---

It is very common to combine white gold and yellow gold in the same jewelry item. Platinum and yellow gold or silver and yellow gold are also combined in striking designs and have been for many, many years.

Neil Bell
Red Sky Plating

Albuquerque, New Mexico

January 21, 2009