Jeweler polished off the beautiful patina on my antique ring...

[Piglet9j7]

I took my original antique 1920''s engagement ring to have sizing balls put on so it would fit better. My ring had a gorgeous grey patina on the platinum. I loved how the finish had aged and it didn''t cross my mind to ask the jeweler not to polish it. This was a high-end benchman. It didn''t cross my mind that he wouldn''t understand how coveted patina is on antique rings.

When I got it back it was bright, shiny platinum. I am LIVID. And completely heartbroken that the gorgeous patina has been polished off.

Can I do anything about this? I certainly don''t have 90 years to wait for it to develop this beautiful patina again...

 

[emeraldlover1]

I''m not sure who is at fault here and I''m not sure there is anything you can do but call and voice your opinion.

 

[Piglet9j7]

Well, *I* didn''t polish the ring. And I certainly didn''t ask the jeweler too. So that would make the person who polished the ring at fault... the jeweler.

But that''s not really the point.

The patina is gone, polished off. Is there any sort of treatment that can be done to the ring to make it appear duller - give it a patina?

 

[Kaleigh]

The patina will come back, it won''t take 90 years... Did you tell the jeweler not to polish it?? He probably thought he was doing you a favor, making it shiny and new..

So sorry, but it will come back with wear...

 

[emeraldlover1]

Date: 4/22/2010 9:14:24 PM
Author: Piglet9j7
Well, *I* didn''t polish the ring. And I certainly didn''t ask the jeweler too. So that would make the person who polished the ring at fault... the jeweler.

But that''s not really the point.

The patina is gone, polished off. Is there any sort of treatment that can be done to the ring to make it appear duller - give it a patina?

Wow, really? It totally sucks that happened but he probably just thought you didn''t want it, a lot of people don''t like it. I''d be upset too but if it was that important to me I would have specified.

That being said, I know that one of my platinum rings gets patina quicker than the other. Since I didn''t ask I can only assume it is because of the other metals the platinum is mixed with. In about six months after polishing the patina is back and quite evident. Even more so than one of my greatgrandmothers platinum rings that I have. So, you might just wait and see what happens.

Additionally, you can call the jeweler and see what they suggest. Good luck.

 

[Piglet9j7]

It didn''t even cross my mind that he wouldn''t know not to polish it. And when I told the high-end estate jewelry store where we bought it what had happened today, they also said they wouldn''t have thought to tell them not to polish it.

 

[Imdanny]

I am so sorry this happened.

 

[Kaleigh]

Many don''t love the patina. The jeweler should have asked you at In Take if you wanted it polished after adding the sizing balls. BUT have learned the hard way, don''t assume anything. You have to spell it out exactly what you want done, and what you DON''T want done.. They aren''t mind readers.. Yanno???
Again I am sorry , but what to do now?? Just tell them they should have asked you... Most jewelers after doing work will polish the ring automatically...

 

[yssie]

..I guess I just don't see the big issue here. It's annoying, but frankly if it was that important to you you should've specified as such. In any case, give it 6months to a year tops and you'll get the patina back in spades. A call to the jeweller to say that in the future it would be advisable to specifically ask if a customer wants his/her plat. pieces polished wouldn't go amiss.


ETA: it's also possible that to add the sizing balls a little polishing of the inside of the shank at least was necessary first, and that even if you had specified no polish it may have looked strange to you to have that mix of patina and polished surface..?