yellow gold to white gold?

[shelley72]

does anyone know if this can be done?

I know that white gold is essentially yellow gold dipped in something (probably more technical than that, but you get my meaning) so i wondered if you had yellow gold jewellery that you dont often wear now as you wear more silver toned jewellery like an engagement ring for example is it possible to have it dipped? and how much would it likely be? has anyone actually had it done and were the results good?
tia

I haven't had it done but I think it could be done...Seek out mrs cumbernatch (if you search for the 'what is tanzanite' thread she is on there).

here is the thread...just PM her - I'm sure she would know

whoops...this is the thread - sorry!!!

thank you mrsmartin if i get chance i will PM her at the weekend. and thank you for the reply on my nail thread too - am persevering with the OPI / filing and hopefully my nails will get there eventually!

No it is not yellow gold dipped in something, it's a alloy mix of gold with a grey metal like zinc and nickel.

I guess it's possible to get anything plated with silver or maybe even rhodium, but you'd be crazy to mask something that is of a high value now as something lesser, why not just sell it?.

I thought white gold is essentially gold that has alloys in it to turn it the white gold colour. It is then rhodium plated to get the high shine silvery tone which wears off after a year or so.
I would imagine you technically could rhodium plate it but be prepared that it will rub off and fade with time showing the yellow gold. It costs about £30 at our local jeweller so not too expensive to do maintenance every now again. Have no idea if the yellow gold would show through, am clearly not an expert!

I thought rhodium plating was only used on platinum?, white gold is white gold, it's a small amount of gold melted and mixed in with other things to make the pale colour, it will never be yellow, just as rose gold will never be yellow, same process different alloy added for colour.

I've had a yellow 14 c gold ring dipped, so it looks like white gold. They dip it in Rhodium. First time I had it done it looked amazing. cost £60. The colour was wearing off within a month though. I took it back and they re-dipped it, that was about a year ago, still looks fine. Warning, any cleaning products that are bleach based will remove the rhodium coating.

I have also had a yellow gold ring dipped in rhodium.
HAve also had problems with it wearing off and always wear Marigolds when I clean now.
But it does match my platinum wedding band.

White gold is in 2 forms, it can be a yellow gold base then dipped in rhodium, the result is great but it doesnt last long. it depends on the wear and tear of your ring. If its just for special occasions get it dipped and will look fab. Alternatively there is yellow gold mixed withan alloy to appear more silver, it is still dipped in rhodium afterwards though, therefore the wear is not as visible. No white gold stay white that is just the reality, if you want the silver look go for silver, (softer metal) or platinum(very strong and durable). Thats some advice for rings

Shops love rhodium plating because it's something people have to replace over time rather then a one off sale.

Well you don't have to replace it of course, my mum has a platinum weeding ring and I think it's looks better as it is without plating.