Remaking My E Ring...

[orangemonster]

I am leaning towards having my ering that is invisible set remade into a channel set (many thanks to all of you who contributed opinions!).

The issue is, I have a choice of either 18k white gold or a 18k white gold / palladium mix. Difference in cost is the palladium alloy option is $500 more.
I was tired of having my white gold ring re-plated, would the palladium alloy help with this? I have heard that there are some people who have never had to have their white gold plated, but that was not my experience.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Iceman]

Good move , those invisable sets are problems manufactured into the mounting.

Have you looked into this new white gold thats out .




F.A.Q''s
Q. What is X1 white gold?
A. is a new family of karat white gold casting grain that is formulated to achieve a very good white color, without the need for rhodium plating.

Q.Is white gold as white as Rhodium or Platinum?
A. does have an excellent white color with high reflectivity compared to other white gold alloys, but no white gold is as white as rhodium plate or platinum alloys, due to the yellow color of the pure gold in the alloy.

Q.What does mean?
A. stands for extreme white, Level 1 color rating. The World Gold Council''s White Gold Task Force''s guidelines for white color, specify that level 1 color rated white gold does not need a rhodium plate to achieve a good white color.

Q.Is the high nickel content a problem ?

A.Previous generations of high nickel gold alloys have historically displayed problem such as porosity in castings, brittleness, fire cracking, and susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking (predominately in prongs). Stuller has formulated with additives that help to reduce some of the problems associated with high nickel content, compared to high nickel white gold alloys without these additives. Under certain conditions, ALL nickel white gold including , are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking.

an impressive selection of nickel white gold casting grain and mill products, ranging from 7% nickel and up, is one alternative option, which will provide a good white color.

Q.Is hard and brittle?
A. is harder, but is not necessarily more brittle than lower-nickel content alloys. Stuller has formulated with trace elements that provide Grain Structure Control, that have proven to improve mechanical characteristics, such as prong bending and ring stretching, compared to high-nickel white gold alloys without these additives.

Q. How does ''s white color compare to Cobb''s Precise White Gold?
A. There is not a preceptible difference to the unaided human eye.

Q. Is white gold only available in casting grain? What karats?
A. Yes... is currently offered in casting grain only. Available karats are 10K, 14K, 18K, and 19K.
Q. Why do you offer19K ?
A. Stuller has received requests, predominantly from Canadian customers, for a bright white 19K gold alloy. is our answer to those request.

Q. Does meet the European requirements for nickel release rates and fineness?

A.Test samples, submitted by Stuller, have met the current EU requirements for nickel release rates. However, Stuller does not guarantee that all products manufactured in white gold will achieve the same results, as condition of sample can affect test results.

- All karats offered in white gold are alloyed to EU specifications for gold fineness. 14 Karat is alloyed at .585 gold content.


Q. Can I reuse ?
A. Yes... Stuller recommends using a 75% fresh mix when re-melting white gold. White gold alloys are typically not as reusable as yellow alloys. If there are any dark inclusions or foreign particles visible in scrap, it has become contaminated or depleted, and should be submitted for refining.

Q. Do I need to do anything different when casting white gold?

A. Pay particular attention to the recommended quenching instructions. It is important to quench within 2 to 4 minutes. As a general rule, quench just prior to the red glow leaving the button. In most cases, may be annealed to recover from improper quench cycle.

- All other casting techniques are the same.

Q. Does white gold have a significantly higher melting temperature? Do I need to use investment for platinum casting?
A. melting temperatures are comparable to standard nickel white gold alloy temperatures. Standard investment for gold casting will provide good results.

Q. What solder should I use?
A. Stuller is currently developing solders that will match the color of white gold, and will release these new solders in the near future. Standard white gold solders may be used, but may look slightly "yellowish" when used on white gold.

 

[orangemonster]

Wow... what a LOT of GREAT info! THANKS!
Do you know if the X1 White gold is something most jewelers know about? My jeweler (AGS certified) gave the option of the rhodium white 18k gold or having the setting cast externally with the palladium alloy. If I asked her about the X1, do you think she'd know what I meant? Thanks a bunch!

Oh also... is it expected that $500 more for the palladium mix is usual?