What should I do about my ring?

Question

I recently got married & I got to choose my engagement ring. I got a 6 prong, white gold, round solitare, 1/2 carat, G color, great clarity & cut ring from Zales for $600. I shopped around & it seemed the best diamond & style I wanted for the best price. After I had it for 2 months it began to turn gold on the underside. So I had it re-rodeumed. Now 3 months from then it is turning gold again! I could get it re-rodeumed again. I hate the idea that my ring may not be the quality I thought it was & I really don't want to have to have it re-rodeumed every few months. So my hubby suggested that maybe it's time to upgrade. I know I could upgrade to another ring with Zales but I now wonder if this is the quality of all there rings. Our bands are from Helzbergs & they still look brand new. Maybe I would be better off buying from a different jewelry store, obviously having to pay more. Or maybe their is a jewelry store that lets you trade rings with ones not bought from them...

Answer 1

I have NEVER heard of white gold turning, are you sure the ring is real? I have 2 rings from Zales and that's my favorite store and I can tell you that neither of my rings (white gold and yellow) have ever turned... And I've had one for 10 years now. I have never heard of real white gold needing to be rodeumed. Now I'm going to have to ask around because I thought that was for rings that are plated over sterling silver. And I've never heard of a real diamond going in sterling silver.

Answer 2

True White gold is an alloy. Gold, which is yellow, is mixed or blended with another metal such as nickle, in some rare cases platinum but you need an experienced goldsmith for that...the resulting mix is white gold...but it's white thru and thru and should not turn yellow-pieces that are rhodium plated are done for the shine-when the plating wears the metal undeneath shows and if it is white gold it shows white gold not yellow. If your setting is really white gold it should not be yellowing....



Now silver is often plated with rhodium to help reduce the need for polishing due to tarnishing and silver will often take on a yellowing cast or patina when tarnishing takes place before it turns that characteristic brownish-black.



Sounds like you may have a vermiel piece-gold plating over sterling silver. Unusual for it to be white gold vermeil for it's usually yellow gold that's used.



Diamonds are often set in sterling.



The only way you're gonna know for sure is to take the ring to a place that appraises jewelry and find out exactly what you have...you'll get an official report from them and if it contrdicts what Zales claims the ring is, you just might have a case here......they cannot sell an item as real white gold if it is not. Good Luck.



Edit: Hon, I've many pieces of white gold, some I guarentee are older than you-none have yellowed. Age has given them a soft satiny lustre, not that bright white shine but I think it adds to the charm of the piece.

Answer 3

I suggest a different store. I got mine at Gordans and Helzberg and they are both still white gold, not yellow! My husband didn't have luck with Zales in the past, nor did my sister. My sister's diamond actually fell out and they wouldn't do anything about it! A lot of stores will remount your stone in a new band. If you tell them about your experience at Zales, and how you don't want service there anymore, they may give you a discount! Best of luck!

Answer 4

I agree with the idea of you not going to have your ring re-rodeumed. Think it is a waste of time and valuable money!



I'd start shopping around for a new one (yes it may be the one that sealed your love & sentimental) yet having something of good & lasting quality is needed. It doesn't hurt to shop around & at least find the best price. If at that time you feel to purchase a new one, at least you know where & how much.



Sounds like that company may have a bad batch on their hands.



Good luck.

Answer 5

i have never heard of a white gold band turing gold... it was plated?

i'd call helzbergs and explain the situation and ask if you can use your ring to get an upgrade credit.

or just have the stone reset in a mounting from h'brgs

Answer 6

A lot of women experience this problem with white gold. A lot of it has to do with your body chemicals and skin. For example some people are very acidic and they react to different kinds of metal. All white gold begins as yellow gold and is rodeumed to make it white. It may be that your skin is very acidic or that your react to that specific process. My suggestion try platium if you are having that much of an issue.

Answer 7

Sorry that totally sucks.



I would talk to management at Zales and if you have to write a letter to their head office with pictures of your ring and COPY of reciept.



No absolutely do not buy the next ring there. If they carry one poor quality product chances are they carry many more. Go somewhere else.



Try to get your money back!

Jade

Answer 8

Lots of women have this problem with white gold, but usually the rhodium dip doesn't need to be done as often as you are stuck with.

It's not a matter of quality, though, just your choice.

Ah, give me classic yellow gold every time....

Answer 9

i agree with the suggestion to have the stone reset somewhere else. as its the stone that has the most sentimental value

Answer 10

Hmmm, interesting