2007-01-25 20:58:18 · 11 answers · asked by karen f 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
my husband took it to jewellers and said it was unacceptable that it had worn off after only 4 weeks . the jewellers said they could replate it for free, ive since found out that white gold contains nickel , which i am allergic to. But the jewellers wont change it for a yellow gold one as he has had it for longer than 28 days. Where do i stand legally with this.? he bought it on the 21st december and had to have it resized . we are only just out of the 28 day limit!!
2007-01-25 22:05:07 · update #1
18 carat white gold is an alloy containing 75% gold and no copper, but silver and possibly nickel or some of the lighter platinum metals like palladium. It gets its special white sheen from surface coating with rhodium. When this surface coating gets lost, the slightly duller original color of the alloy may show through.
2007-01-25 21:04:44 · answer #1 · answered by jorganos 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as natural white gold. To make gold look white, they add a thin coat of rhodium to the surface of the gold. You will need to get your ring recovered every now and again to maintain the white gold "look".
And, in case you were curious, white gold is made of 18k gold and either silver or palladium. Also, sometimes higher grade white gold contains traces of platinum.
You can take your ring to a jewelry store, and they can recover your ring. I had it priced once and it was about $250 in Arizona.
2007-01-25 21:06:47 · answer #2 · answered by Courtney 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are only plated, and the metal underneath is slowly oxidising with the air and changing colour.
White Gold is a forged, and also natural occurance of Gold and Rhodium.
The Rodium give the Gold its colour and strength.
The mixture is form in such a way that unless it is smelted in the correct way, you will not seperate the two elements.
So, I'm afreaid to say, your ring is just plated.
2007-01-25 21:03:59 · answer #3 · answered by Bloke Ala Sarcasm 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your ring is NOT Fake. Gold, in its natural form, is always yellow. By adding rhodium to it, it changes the colour.
While it is genuine gold, eventually, the whiteness will fade and the ring will slowly return to its original colour. Any jeweler will tell you this.
The way to fix it is to take it to a reputable jeweler, who will re-apply the rhodium coating. Its something you should do every few years anyway.
2007-01-26 02:17:46 · answer #4 · answered by Jess O 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because it's not actually white gold, it's yellow gold coated with Rhodium (I think!). I have a white gold wedding ring which does the same - you can take it back to the shop and have it re-coated, if it's still under guarantee they won't charge you. I don't actually mind that mine is going yellowish - it's part of the wear and tear of married life, I feel.
2007-01-25 21:02:48 · answer #5 · answered by Roxy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Have you been wearing it while washing up etc? It may well be a bit tarnished, buy a good jewellery cleaner and give that a try. If cleaning it does not work I'd suggest taking it to a jeweller and seeing if they can advise you.
2007-01-25 21:02:09 · answer #6 · answered by lululaluau 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not fake!
The others above are right about the Rhodium. You can get it replated easily and it doesn't cost too much. It comes back lovely and shiny!!
2007-01-25 21:08:21 · answer #7 · answered by Rae 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A chemical reaction from the oils from your hands.
2007-01-25 21:07:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Smoking possibly.
2007-01-25 21:02:08 · answer #9 · answered by Ritch 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
cheap
2007-01-25 21:02:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋