My fiance and I are relative novices / newbies to jewelry. We are getting custom wedding bands made. We had originally planned on getting them made in platinum. We went to a reputable jeweler (Eli's Jewelry in the LA Diamond District). After much talk, the jeweler (Raffi) convinced us that 14k white gold-rhodium would give us the best casting and durability. We both use our hands a lot in our jobs (she collects soil samples and I wash my hands in the hospital).
We decided to go with 14k white gold, but now we're having second thoughts. My question is, "Why would a reputable dealer convince us to get 14k rhodium white gold?" Are there case where it is truly "better / durable" and a better choice than platinum?
I've search Google and these forums and found some information regarding the comparison of:
-14k white gold rhodium-plated
-Stuller "X1 white gold" forever white
-"Precise White Gold" from W.R. Cobb
-18K palladium white gold
-950 Palladium
-950 Platinum S1
-950 Platinum Ru or Cobalt
The jeweler also said if the platinum band broke, he'd have to repair it with white gold anyways - so we should just use white gold. And, he said the rhodium plating was not a big deal.
We are relative jewelry novices, and we were satisfied with his explanation and decided on white gold - but recently I began searching the internet and discovered Stuller and Cobb's alternative non-rhodium white golds and palladium. From what I've been reading, if you can afford it though, platinum is the best choice of all. Apparently, platinum S1 if available.
Why would the jeweler convince us to get 14k white gold if it wasn't the best choice or if other choices were available, such as Stuller and Cobb?
Considering the time and effort we're putting into getting the custom pieces done, we'd like them to have longevity.
Any help or reassurance would be greatly appreciated. If need be, I'd rather get them recast than have an unsatisfactory ring.
Edward
We decided to go with 14k white gold, but now we're having second thoughts. My question is, "Why would a reputable dealer convince us to get 14k rhodium white gold?" Are there case where it is truly "better / durable" and a better choice than platinum?
I've search Google and these forums and found some information regarding the comparison of:
-14k white gold rhodium-plated
-Stuller "X1 white gold" forever white
-"Precise White Gold" from W.R. Cobb
-18K palladium white gold
-950 Palladium
-950 Platinum S1
-950 Platinum Ru or Cobalt
The jeweler also said if the platinum band broke, he'd have to repair it with white gold anyways - so we should just use white gold. And, he said the rhodium plating was not a big deal.
We are relative jewelry novices, and we were satisfied with his explanation and decided on white gold - but recently I began searching the internet and discovered Stuller and Cobb's alternative non-rhodium white golds and palladium. From what I've been reading, if you can afford it though, platinum is the best choice of all. Apparently, platinum S1 if available.
Why would the jeweler convince us to get 14k white gold if it wasn't the best choice or if other choices were available, such as Stuller and Cobb?
Considering the time and effort we're putting into getting the custom pieces done, we'd like them to have longevity.
Any help or reassurance would be greatly appreciated. If need be, I'd rather get them recast than have an unsatisfactory ring.
Edward