Thinking of Dipping My Gold Wedding Ring

I just wanted to give my experience. I had my yellow gold anniversary band dipped in white gold about 5 months ago...unfortunately it is now yellow gold in some locations on the ring, and still white gold in some. The ring looks bad now in my opinion. I was told by the jeweler (after I had it done), that it only lasts about 1 year because of the wear and tear from wearing the ring. Had I known this, I would not have done it and may have just bought another band (keeping this one nice for my daugher).

You will get better quality that will last if you just get the white gold ring you want. Maybe the issue is the sentimental value of the original ring, but if it were deeply sentimental to you, why coat it? No reputable jeweler is going to dip a ring without first trying very hard to sell you a new one -- yes, they want to sell you something but they also know that you will be back over and over to re-dip that ring as the gold wears off. As someone else posted, this is a chance to do a redesign and have the ring you really want to see on your hand all day, every day. You can even choose to wear the original ring on your other hand, on a chain, whatever.

I've been given many "dipped" bracelets thru the years....I eat thru them in 1 year or less. :)

Most of these have been "gold over sterling", but not all. I realize what you want is different.....but if your makeup is toxic like mine, it has less of a chance to last. I can't even wear battery-run watches!

I heard it has to be replated in less than a year. Personally I would wait for an anniversary and have the diamond reset into white gold or platinum. I had mine reset and love it. You can have the gold melted down into a nice necklace or baby ring if you have a daughter. Or, put it on your right hand and have a new setting for your wedding ring.

I had my engagement ring and wedding band dipped over from yellow to white gold for my 10 year anniversary. It cost maybe $40 at the time and I was very happy with the results. I haven't worn them very much since then, so I'm not sure how long it would last under normal circumstances. I'm going to say that I never really wanted to change my setting and/or upgrade anything because of the sentimental value to it. I'd imagine you might need to re-dip them every couple of years? BTW, the jeweler who mostly did repair work dipped them right in front of me. Be sure you trust the jeweler.

If you can afford it, just swap the gold for a white gold setting. There should be a dependable, skilled jewler in your area that can recreate your setting in white gold. Or you could take the opportunity to redesign your setting...is a milestone anniversary coming up? I think you will be happier in the long run.

If you want a really great trustworthy jeweler, go to Sam's & Sons. They have been around forever and are very knowledgeable. They have 2 locations, one in Oak Lawn and one in Orland. Sam himself and his wife are at the Oak Lawn location @ 107th & Cicero. Personally, I have never been in the Orland location. My engagement and wedding ring were made by Sam. My husband has also purchased a couple of other pieces for me since then. Sam & his wife will definitely steer you in the right direction. Though like some of the other posters said, I'm sure if it only lasts a year, they will try and sell you a new set. Good luck!

I worked for a fine jewelers. You would have to do it yearly and can cost anywhere from $40 on up a year. It would be cheaper in the long run to have a setting made in white gold, you can even go to a jeweler and have one made very closely to what you have, though it will likely be more that way b.c they will have to create a one of a kind casting.

The only sure way to get the look you want without the work and upkeep is to have your mounting made in platinum. White gold itself is not a pure metal and also needs to be rhodium plated. The amount of time the coating will last depends greatly on the acidity levels in your skin. Some women can keep it for a year others only a few months. I have been out of the jewelry industry for two years and the price of gold has risen since then, but at the time I left it was $50 to $60 per ring. If you have two rings or your rings are soldered together it would be more. Most jewelers in my area would need to keep the ring and send it to the jeweler for approximately a week. If the store you choose has an inhouse jeweler you may be able to make an appointment to have the dipping done while you wait. Best of luck to you, I can't tell you how many women I waited on in the last 15 years that were very disappointed in the look of their white gold pieces after just a few months!

I have a ring I dip about once per year for $50. I make an appointment at my jewlers and watch them do it. It takes about a 1/2 hour to clean and coat. You should check to see how much it would cost to replace the setting though.

Mine must be rare but my ring is white gold and I have had it for 8 years and just now had to have it done in radium. Having both rings being done only cost me 120.00 together. I don't see it having to be redone at least for another 8 years. They had their own Jeweler come in so they only had to keep it over night and I picked it up the next day.