Concerns with 18k WG + Rose Gold

[Gene]

It's my friend's turn to look for rings, so I'm coming back to what was always my favorite source, in hopes of wisdom.

The lady in waiting's preference is for a designer ring, with alternating 18k rose and 18k white gold design.

I admit some of the possibilities look stunningly original and beautiful, but I had a few logistical concerns -- are they unfounded?

1. Mixing: The intrinsic underlying value diminishes as soon as you start to mix different metals (i.e. white + rose), as it can no longer be scrapped, right ? Not that scrap is something we ever set out with as the ultimate goal for any of our rings, of course.. but it is at least partially an investment, and one would not mind if it could hold its value over time?

2. 18k WG: Obviously, there is no such thing as white gold.. It is alloyed with nickel (or ideally palladium) to make it so.. Therefore, I see some irony in wanting the 18k WG, not just philosophically (in the sense of wanting higher gold content or being closer to purity, yet at the same time wanting to then mix it with something to make it look nothing like pure gold), but also practically -- as wouldn't 18k WG look "less white" than, say, 10k WG?

3. Mixing + WG: This is a concern with the combination of #1 and #2. In what I imagine is naturally not a very "white looking" 18k WG alloy, it typically needs to be rhodium plated to achieve what people perceive to be the "white gold look". Yet, because of the presence of rose gold, you would actually not be able to re-plate the finished piece in rhodium every 6mo, correct? i.e. you could not selectively plate the WG but not the RG components of the ring?

In full disclosure, I typically buy pure platinum or palladium pieces (well not 100%.. 950, whatever the standard alloy is).. So these were my first and admittedly biased reactions to the preference. I'm sure I'm just overreacting, right?

Thanks!!
Eugene.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

1- No, mixing different colours of the same karat gold doesn't make scrapping more difficult. Any metal refinery can scrap 18k gold. But this is the worse option for you, since you lose all the labour and a percentage of the gold. Selling the ring second hand can usually (but not always, unfortunately) get you a better price.

However, what will truly help a piece hold value over time is beautiful design, classic look (not trendy, which quickly looks dated) and great workmanship. Some brand names also hold value better over time but you do pay a hefty markup for the brand.

2- While lower karat white gold can look whiter, they are also terrible to work with. A friend calls 14k nickel white gold the "devil's arm pit material", to show his appreciation of it. However, many modern white gold alloys can look beautifully white. Take a look through Hoover's catalog to get an idea of the range of white gold alloys there are, each for a particular use.

For a mixed metal look, I would choose a palladium white gold (no nickle) and rose gold. The palladium white gold is a little greyish, but I think it looks great besides the rose. I would not plate it - nickel (yuck), upkeep, etc.

 

[lovemybling]

My ring is 18k rose and white gold. I have worn it daily for over two years. The ONLY place where the rhodium has worn is on the underside or the palm side of my ring. From the top and the side view the white is still VERY white. I have not found the need to re-dip it but I know that it can be done.
I hope that helps.

 

[meredeth11]

Thanks for sharing the concerns we should be pay attention to!! It is really practical to have the knowledge base to purchase a gold item.
Very useful tips, hope to see more of you tips!