Rhodium Slimlines From Smitty's

[Smitty37]

I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE "RHODIUM" SLIMLINES" THAT I SOLD ARE NOT RHODIUM AT ALL. THEY ARE AN ALLOY 60% GOLD, 20% COPPER AND 20% PALLADIUM. THAT IS A FORMULA FOR WHITE GOLD AND WILL NOT WEAR LIKE RHODIUM. I AM CHECKING ON THE SUBSTRAIT, IF IT IS NICKEL OR CHROME THEY SHOULD BE OK BECAUSE WEAR WON'T BE VERY VISIBLE WITH A BRIGHT SURFACE BENEATH A BRIGHT SURFACE.

IF YOU RECEIVED ANY OF THESE KITS AND WOULD LIKE TO RETURN THEM FOR A REFUND PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA PM AND WE WILL ARRANGE SOMETHING TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.

I STILL HAVE SOME IN MY STORE BUT WILL BE CHANGING THE FINISH TO 14.4K WHITE GOLD WHICH IS AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION.

I APOLOGIZE WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THESE KITS I DID NOT ASK THE RIGHT QUESTION SO I WAS LED TO BELIEVE THEY WERE PLATED IN RHODIUM THAT WAS BEING CALLED PLATINUM.

[bitshird]

Smitty they were saying Platinum because palladium is a platinum family metal, I used to set Diamonds, and found that Palladium is much easier to work with than either Platinum or white gold, the nickel in white gold does add to the hardness, but that alloy they are claiming sounds BIZARRE.
Honestly I would prefer Chrome over Platinum, it last's longer and looks as nice, I guess it a thing that can be used as a sales promotion, but either Platinum or Rhodium do sound more expensive and luxurious than Chrome.

[ed4copies]

Thank you Smitty!! You have confirmed my belief that you are a "straight shooter".

As a salesman, I would see no difficulty in selling the pen as a "white gold alloy". I am confident I could paint a picture in the mind of my customers that would make "white gold" at least as valuable as "less than 1% rhodium".

The truth does not have to hurt, in this case---at least I don't think it hurts!!

Perhaps the recent test has brought some liight to items that our suppliers just "never asked". I recall the same scenario with "Iridium point-Germany".

Speaking for myself, I am not looking for someone to "blame", I am merely interested in knowing the truth, so I can speak the truth.

I suspect, in the next year, we will see different labels on these components. So, we will know what we are buying and selling---the whole industry earns a greater degree of credibility.

And that is "a good thing"!!

Again, my congratulations to you, Smitty.

And my sincere appreciation to Terry--not only for doing the test, but for trying to educate all of us as to the MEANING of the test results--"knowledge is power".

Although some seem to prefer "Ignorance is bliss"--to each his own.

[islandturner]

You are a 'class act', Smitty!

[Smitty37]

Originally Posted by bitshird

Smitty they were saying Platinum because palladium is a platinum family metal, I used to set Diamonds, and found that Palladium is much easier to work with than either Platinum or white gold, the nickel in white gold does add to the hardness, but that alloy they are claiming sounds BIZARRE.
Honestly I would prefer Chrome over Platinum, it last's longer and looks as nice, I guess it a thing that can be used as a sales promotion, but either Platinum or Rhodium do sound more expensive and luxurious than Chrome.

I understand that palladium is a member of the platinum group...so are rhodium, iridium, osmium and ruthenium. I have said some unkind words to my supplier. Palladium is often used in place of nickel in making white gold because (in Europe especially) nickel is not allowed since it is an allergen. White Gold made with palladium is whiter (nickel causes it to have a yellowish tinge) and brighter than that made with nickel. I would have expected to see some silver in the mix....maybe leaving that out is why they call it platinum.

[Smitty37]

I really don't see anything wrong with the kits other than they are not what they are described. If I tell you you are buying platinum then you darned well ought to be buying platinum not white gold made with palladium. If I tell you it's white gold (quite popular particularily in diamond rings), it is just fine.

I will no doubt lose some money by accepting all returns, but money is not nearly as important to me sleeping well as my integrity.

Personally I think we all learned enough that we can be asking some more important questions. But I think I have just joined the crowd of "chrome" lovers. Thank goodness I didn't order the Le Roi Elegant in Rhodium.

Originally Posted by ed4copies

Thank you Smitty!! You have confirmed my belief that you are a "straight shooter".

As a salesman, I would see no difficulty in selling the pen as a "white gold alloy". I am confident I could paint a picture in the mind of my customers that would make "white gold" at least as valuable as "less than 1% rhodium".

The truth does not have to hurt, in this case---at least I don't think it hurts!!

Perhaps the recent test has brought some liight to items that our suppliers just "never asked". I recall the same scenario with "Iridium point-Germany".

Speaking for myself, I am not looking for someone to "blame", I am merely interested in knowing the truth, so I can speak the truth.

I suspect, in the next year, we will see different labels on these components. So, we will know what we are buying and selling---the whole industry earns a greater degree of credibility.

And that is "a good thing"!!

Again, my congratulations to you, Smitty.

And my sincere appreciation to Terry--not only for doing the test, but for trying to educate all of us as to the MEANING of the test results--"knowledge is power".

Although some seem to prefer "Ignorance is bliss"--to each his own.

[terryf]

Originally Posted by Smitty37

I understand that palladium is a member of the platinum group...so are rhodium, iridium, osmium and ruthenium. I have said some unkind words to my supplier. Palladium is often used in place of nickel in making white gold because (in Europe especially) nickel is not allowed since it is an allergen. White Gold made with palladium is whiter (nickel causes it to have a yellowish tinge) and brighter than that made with nickel. I would have expected to see some silver in the mix....maybe leaving that out is why they call it platinum.

On a side note, it is believed that certain nickel compounds are carcinogens as well.

[Bree]

Good for you Smitty! I love seeing people step up to do the right thing. You have always done right by me and your action today is just what I have come to expect from you. You're a good man.

[OLDMAN5050]

That is the reason I do business with you Smitty. Honest as the day is long and hot.............