can I plate and unplate my jewelry?

[sonyachancs]

my engagement ring is currently in unplated wg, but I've been wondering what it'd look like in plated wg.

could I plate it, and then unplate it again if I don't like it? will there be damage to the ring?

since jewelers do offer free replating services, should I expect to pay for the service?

thanks all!

 

[chrono]

I have not heard of anyone wanting to unplate the jewellery but plating is harmless to your jewellery. I'm not sure how much plating costs in Asia.

 

[the_mother_thing]

I think you would have to pay to remove plating if you didn't like it. Might be easier to go to a jewelry store and look at similar style rings that are plated side by side with your ring to get an idea with much less hassle & cost.

 

[Niel]

From my understanding there isn't a procedure to "unplate", I think youd just have to wait for natural wear. I think ?

 

[kelpie]

I have noticed ammonia based cleaner seems to degrade plating.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Found this old thread referencing removing plating From YG. I imagine it might be the same for WG, but a good jeweler could tell you for sure. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-can-rhodium-plating-be-removed-from-14k-yellow-gold.22086/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-can-rhodium-plating-be-removed-from-14k-yellow-gold.22086/[/URL]

I certainly wouldn't leave this to a jeweler I didn't trust completely though, especially if it's a super sentimental piece.

 

[distracts]

From my understanding there isn't a procedure to "unplate", I think youd just have to wait for natural wear. I think ?

Well, or polish it off.

 

[sonyachancs]

let me first say, thank you all! I knew pricescope would have the answer

I think you would have to pay to remove plating if you didn't like it. Might be easier to go to a jewelry store and look at similar style rings that are plated side by side with your ring to get an idea with much less hassle & cost.

JoCoJenn, well I don't mind paying so much - but I guess I've got a case of the itchy hands, so I've been wondering if it would look good in plated white gold. there are some parts of my ring that bother me, mostly a bit of excess metal here and there and it's obvious because the diamonds stand out from the unplated white gold.

 

[sonyachancs]

would you plate it, or no?

 

[Acinom]

would you plate it, or no?

To be honest this is a question only you can answer. I like unplated WG and I would leave your ring as is because it complements your center stone so well. But I obviously do not see the things that are bugging you at the moment. The question is whether it will bug you less if the metal is plated or perhaps even more..

Good luck in making the decisions that are wise for you.

 

[chrono]

I have noticed ammonia based cleaner seems to degrade plating.

This might not be good for gold jewellery though as it can cause porosity?

Whether to set it in white or unplated is a personal perference. Gray stones look grayer in a white metal but stones with strong saturation are seemingly unaffected. Colour tends to "soften" when set in unplated white gold or a warmer coloured metal.

 

[Niel]

Not the same as seeing the real thing, but maybe it'll help

 

[Acinom]

Not the same as seeing the real thing, but maybe it'll help

Great magic Niel!!! How do you feel about this Sonyachancs?

 

[GoldfishPie]

I love the look of unplated white gold! I hope you can find someone!

 

[sonyachancs]

Not the same as seeing the real thing, but maybe it'll help

Great magic Niel!!! How do you feel about this Sonyachancs?

THANK YOU NIEL! very genius artwork, and it comfirms what I had sort of known all along, that my green stone looks best in unplated wg.

i think it's a matter of having been spoilt by my new jeweler, and the great work he does, that is giving me all sorts of itchy thoughts. as well as the fact that I've recently realised I rather like bezels and the protection they give.


there's nothing wrong with the setting, actually - my sister says I just stare at it too long (which is true). BUT other thing that does show well from niel's photo is that the plating does make the metal blend further with the diamonds.

so maybe an option is I could plate it, and sell it? what would you do? bearing in mind it's been just about a year since I got my ring.. (and just got another one :p)

 

[the_mother_thing]

so maybe an option is I could plate it, and sell it? what would you do? bearing in mind it's been just about a year since I got my ring.. (and just got another one :p)

If I were looking at this ring to purchase it, I much prefer the warmth & rich look of it as is (unplated). Maybe leaving it as is, and letting a potential buyer choose, would be a good idea if you decide to sell. If it were just the semi-mount (without the center stone), I might suggest plating. I really like it; very warm, beautiful piece!