I had 3 rings and a chain soaking in sulfuric acid pickle. One of
the rings “had” a white gold solitaire mounting, which looks like
its been soaked in bleach now. The other two rings both 10k were
covered with a dark brown coating. The chain, which was 14k,
appeared fine. I threw all four pieces into the tumbler with steel
shot. I was quite confused to find that when I removed the two rings
which were brown they now appear to be plated white. The solder
joint on the catch of the chain also appears plated white. The
solitaire has a redish powdery substance where parts of the mounting
were dissolved. The “white gold plating” that appeared buffs off and
will also dissolve rapidly in nitric acid.
Has anyone had this problem? Any Ideas on what the cause might be?
Could the mounting have been something other than white gold???
Thanks,
Matt