Would You Rhodium Plate?

[snaphappy]

I made the mistake of reaching out to David Klass and he said I wouldn’t lose any detail in the engraving if I rhodium plate my ring. It would also lighten up my diamond, considerably? Look underneath the diamond, imagine all that rhodium plated… wouldn’t it brighten up the diamond? Plus it’s j-m. Rhodium will whiten it up a bit? I like the sound of that!

But am I betraying the original intention of the designer? I almost feel like this is an egyptian inspired ring from the early 30’s. Should I just honor the original design? This is the best looking yellow gold setting I’ve ever seen!

 

[Dreamer_D]

No way.

 

[snaphappy]

I needed to do more research. I just watched a video that shows how the rhodium cannot get into nooks and crannies. And my entire ring is nooks and crannies. Bummer. Mods can delete this thread, if possible, sorry

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I personally would rhodium plate (if it can be done cleanly) because I like WG settings for everyday wear. Plus rhodium isn’t permanent, if you don’t like how it looks, it can be removed (though in doing so you will clean up any patina on the metal).

 

[maryjane04]

If you like the look of white gold then by all means rhodium plate it.

For me, I love yellow gold and I think this setting is already there. I wonder if DK can gold plate it with say an 18k antique gold to bring out the details on the ring.

 

[VRBeauty]

That would be one very big, very shiny ring! Personally I prefer the subtlety of the yellow gold, and I’d hate to lost the chased detailing… but it’s not my ring.

I know this might just be an artifact of the photography, but is it possible that the ring might originally have been two-tone? It looks as if the cup holding the diamond might be a lighter color than the band. Would it be possible to plate just that with white gold or rhodium, and give the rest of the ring a good to bring out the beauty of the design?

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

I wouldn’t personally because I love the patina older pieces have… it’s like aged wine if you will.

Can I hijack your thread for a moment with another non related metal question? Suppose you have something that is 18k yellow gold, can you plated it with 18k rose gold?

 

[Rfisher]

Unmount the stone and plate there - maybe.
The whole thing - no.

Areas that rub anything will wear away and need replated as the yellow will show through. Then you live with that or get it replated. If the first plating doesn’t happen to muddy up the engraving too much - I’d think the next ones would. Replating just the lower shank that gets the most wear - I don’t know if that’s a real possibility or a good idea?

I’m not really a fan of the look of white plating (or the never needs plating white gold x1 alloy either) nor do I think I’d be that happy with the look of plating over old engraving - so that’s where I’m coming from.