AIBU to reset my ring?

[aibubaby]

My engagement ring is a few years old (to me) now and I've always been less than enthused about the fact that it's yellow gold as I don't wear yellow gold at all otherwise. I thought I might get used to it but I haven't.

It was passed onto us by a family member, but doesn't have any big emotional significance beyond that (it wasn't their engagement ring, for example, and it's not especially old - about 10 years).

I'd like to get it reset in white gold and DH is fine with me doing that, but I wondered if it doing so intrinsically changed the value of the ring? It's kind of irrelevant as I have no plans to ever sell it (obviously) but I didn't know if the value was in the stones or the stones & setting as a whole, and whether I'd need it revaluing for insurance once it was done.

And also, is it expensive to get a ring reset? It's a very basic trilogy setting, no bells or whistles.

I have expensive white & yellow gold handmade engagement & wedding rings & they've never been rodhium plated.
If I wanted that cold stainless steel look I would have chosen platinum but I didn't.
I love mine & the soft contrast between the 2 types of gold.
They're 17 years old now & as good as new so I can recommend uncoated white gold

I only had my wedding and engagement rings re rhodium dipped when I added an eternity ring. They are now the same creamy colour, I think if they are too bright they look like silver. Mine are 18carat if it makes any difference.

Mine are 18 carat too

I adore yellow gold and wear it constantly (I'm
26). I don't think it will change the value of it's only 10 years old... it's your ring. Do what you want.

@Pinkywoo

White gold is essentially just yellow gold coated in rhodium. It does have white metals mixed in so it’s paler but the rhodium is added to make it resemble platinum.

Not entirely accurate (boring gold info from an ex jeweller coming up!).

Gold is a naturally yellow metal (you can't mine rose or white gold) which mixed with other metals to make different colours, eg. copper for rose, silver for white.

Also the hallmark for different carats tells you the percentage of pure gold, 375 for 9ct - 37.5%, 750 for 188ct - 75% etc. So the higher the carat the more yellow the jewellery, and this still applies for white gold. Without the rhodium plating it will be a creamy colour somewhere between platinum and yellow gold, which some people prefer as it's a softer look.

The last thing to bear in mind is the hardness of the metal, higher carat gold is purer but also softer. This is why jewellers recommend if you wear two rings together that they are the same metal/carat. Platinum and palladium are stronger still and over time will wear away a gold ring.

Lecture over!

This is really interesting and useful, thank you!

@Katiejanej

It wouldn’t change the value, if you went platinum it may be a tad more but the value is in the diamonds, you’d need to get a new insurance valuation done just so it’s covered. If you don’t love it, would it be an idea to just get a new ring? Realistically having it reset will cost a few hundred quid at least, and if you don’t LOVE the stones, having them reset won’t make the most massive amount of difference. I’m a jeweller, and unless it’s got huge sentimental value, there’s a lot to be said for choosing something you absolutely love.

Ah I love the style and stones, just not the yellow gold! I'm just not sure how best to keep the stones and shape while getting rid of the yellowness in a way that won't be a hassle - I don't want to have to e.g. re-plate it every 6 months (or however long - I'm quite hard on my hands haha!).

@PacifyLulu

Where abouts are you OP? I have a great jeweller in the North West who has an on-site workshop.

I am actually in the North West! Please DM me their name ☺️

@therocinante you're welcome, I tried to keep it as short as possible!

@Pinkywoo

White gold is essentially just yellow gold coated in rhodium. It does have white metals mixed in so it’s paler but the rhodium is added to make it resemble platinum.

Not entirely accurate (boring gold info from an ex jeweller coming up!).

Gold is a naturally yellow metal (you can't mine rose or white gold) which mixed with other metals to make different colours, eg. copper for rose, silver for white.

Also the hallmark for different carats tells you the percentage of pure gold, 375 for 9ct - 37.5%, 750 for 188ct - 75% etc. So the higher the carat the more yellow the jewellery, and this still applies for white gold. Without the rhodium plating it will be a creamy colour somewhere between platinum and yellow gold, which some people prefer as it's a softer look.

The last thing to bear in mind is the hardness of the metal, higher carat gold is purer but also softer. This is why jewellers recommend if you wear two rings together that they are the same metal/carat. Platinum and palladium are stronger still and over time will wear away a gold ring.

Lecture over!

You just over explained exactly what I wrote 🧐

Gold + white metal mixed = pale gold + rhodium coating = ‘white gold’

I work as a jeweller and would recommend getting it remade in platinum.
If you rhodium plate it, it wears away and after time you will need it doing again. This would be the same if you had it remade in 18ct white gold as well, although perhaps less obvious.
Platinum is a denser metal than gold and at the moment cheaper per gram.
We remodel or remake jewellery for people fairly often and if you are not sentimental about it you can scrap the cost of the old gold against the price of the new ring.

White gold is alloyed (mixed) with palladium to give it is white colour and then rhodium plated to make brighter, or enhance the whiteness. It's not the same as yellow gold which is alloyed with something different.

Get it reset in platinum as the jeweller up thread said. No upkeep and really solid