Precise White Gold

Providence, RI --- W.R. Cobb and Company today announced a major technology innovation in the manufacturing of white gold. W.R. Cobb, a 127-year-old manufacturer located here, has developed a patented white gold, branded Precise® White Gold. The white gold is a breakthrough over the cost, performance limitations, and environmental concerns associated with the traditional white gold now sold worldwide.

"White gold jewelry is increasingly popular today, and our new process for production creates a metal that has superior benefits for both the consumer and the jewelry industry," said David Skuza, Global Marketing Executive at W.R. Cobb.

W.R. Cobb's Precise® White Gold offers tremendous advantages over existing forms of white gold, specifically:

Precise® White Gold does not need to be rhodium plated. Rhodium is commonly used on all white gold to cover the natural yellowish color of gold for a more pleasing white color. Rhodium plating usually adds approximately $5 to $15 to the retail price of a typical ring.
This patented white gold retains its shine and luster with no special treatment as there is no rhodium plating to wear off revealing a less pleasant color. As a result customers are more satisfied with their purchase.
Precise® White Gold lowers manufacturing costs significantly because there is no special handling or plating costs. The finished jewelry is simply polished like any other gold product.
This innovative gold lowers the cost of after sales service as there are no problems with a plated rhodium finish wearing off, and repaired jewelry no longer requires special handling or rhodium replating.
Precise® White Gold has been developed with the consumer in mind since some people who enjoy the high fashion look of white also have a sensitivity to the nickel in white gold. Precise White Gold has been evaluated by a leading independent testing laboratory.
Precise® White Gold was also developed with the jeweler in mind. Not only can it be polished and finished as easily as yellow gold, it is not brittle like some other white gold alloys, having the ductility and ease of use for diamond setting and hand fabrication.

"White gold's popularity has fueled an effort by the industry to find a solution for the traditional limitations of rhodium plated white gold. Our team at W.R. Cobb has been working towards a white gold solution for many years. Precise® White Gold is the culmination of this effort, and one that we believe will transform both our company and the industry. Fundamentally, this is the biggest change in white gold jewelry since the 1920's," said Skuza.

Precise® White Gold will be available to retail jewelers in the summer of 2004.

History of White Gold: White gold alloys became fashionable in the 1920's, mainly as a substitute for platinum. Platinum had become a statement of luxury, fashion, and style, but due to its extremely high cost and availability, other substitutes were sought. Additionally, the platinum family of metals require much higher working temperatures and substantially higher labor costs as it is much more difficult to work with than white gold.

White Gold: All metals exist in nature in various shades of grey with the exception of gold and cooper. Since the natural color of gold is deep yellow, any white gold alloy is the result of using alloys that bleach or whiten the yellow color. An alloy of a metal is a combination of elements that are used in varying proportions to produce specifically desired qualities, strength and color for example. Until now, all white gold alloys have tended to have a yellowish color which was covered with rhodium plating.

The more pure gold in the alloy, the more difficult has been the job of making it a true white color. So 18 karat gold, with 75% fine gold and 25% alloy is very difficult to keep a white color without the need for a rhodium finish because it has more of the natural yellow color of gold. The Precise® White Gold family of alloys are available in 10 karat, 14 karat, and 18 karat versions, and do not require rhodium plating. They have been color tested by the American Assay & Gemological Office, a division of BAO Technical Services Ltd., the worldÕs most authoritative testing source in the world. All of the Precise® White Gold alloys have received a "Premium" rating, indicating that rhodium plating is not required.

About W.R. Cobb: The Company has been continuously manufacturing in the United States since 1877. Located in Cranston, Rhode Island, the concern is one of the leading supplies of jewelry findings, castings, and precious metals for the jewelry industry internationally. W.R. Cobb has locations in Toronto, China, Vietnam, Bangkok, Mexico City, and Mumbai.



		National Jewelry Manufacturer Introduces Patented White Gold -- Precise® White Gold is the most significant development in gold in the past 70 years -- Providence, RI --- W.R. Cobb and Company today announced a major technology innovation in the manufacturing of white gold. W.R. Cobb, a 127-year-old manufacturer located here, has developed a patented white gold, branded Precise® White Gold. The white gold is a breakthrough over the cost, performance limitations, and environmental concerns associated with the traditional white gold now sold worldwide. "White gold jewelry is increasingly popular today, and our new process for production creates a metal that has superior benefits for both the consumer and the jewelry industry," said David Skuza, Global Marketing Executive at W.R. Cobb. W.R. Cobb's Precise® White Gold offers tremendous advantages over existing forms of white gold, specifically: Precise® White Gold does not need to be rhodium plated. Rhodium is commonly used on all white gold to cover the natural yellowish color of gold for a more pleasing white color. Rhodium plating usually adds approximately $5 to $15 to the retail price of a typical ring. This patented white gold retains its shine and luster with no special treatment as there is no rhodium plating to wear off revealing a less pleasant color. As a result customers are more satisfied with their purchase. Precise® White Gold lowers manufacturing costs significantly because there is no special handling or plating costs. The finished jewelry is simply polished like any other gold product. This innovative gold lowers the cost of after sales service as there are no problems with a plated rhodium finish wearing off, and repaired jewelry no longer requires special handling or rhodium replating. Precise® White Gold has been developed with the consumer in mind since some people who enjoy the high fashion look of white also have a sensitivity to the nickel in white gold. Precise White Gold has been evaluated by a leading independent testing laboratory. Precise® White Gold was also developed with the jeweler in mind. Not only can it be polished and finished as easily as yellow gold, it is not brittle like some other white gold alloys, having the ductility and ease of use for diamond setting and hand fabrication. "White gold's popularity has fueled an effort by the industry to find a solution for the traditional limitations of rhodium plated white gold. Our team at W.R. Cobb has been working towards a white gold solution for many years. Precise® White Gold is the culmination of this effort, and one that we believe will transform both our company and the industry. Fundamentally, this is the biggest change in white gold jewelry since the 1920's," said Skuza. Precise® White Gold will be available to retail jewelers in the summer of 2004. History of White Gold: White gold alloys became fashionable in the 1920's, mainly as a substitute for platinum. Platinum had become a statement of luxury, fashion, and style, but due to its extremely high cost and availability, other substitutes were sought. Additionally, the platinum family of metals require much higher working temperatures and substantially higher labor costs as it is much more difficult to work with than white gold. White Gold: All metals exist in nature in various shades of grey with the exception of gold and cooper. Since the natural color of gold is deep yellow, any white gold alloy is the result of using alloys that bleach or whiten the yellow color. An alloy of a metal is a combination of elements that are used in varying proportions to produce specifically desired qualities, strength and color for example. Until now, all white gold alloys have tended to have a yellowish color which was covered with rhodium plating. The more pure gold in the alloy, the more difficult has been the job of making it a true white color. So 18 karat gold, with 75% fine gold and 25% alloy is very difficult to keep a white color without the need for a rhodium finish because it has more of the natural yellow color of gold. The Precise® White Gold family of alloys are available in 10 karat, 14 karat, and 18 karat versions, and do not require rhodium plating. They have been color tested by the American Assay & Gemological Office, a division of BAO Technical Services Ltd., the worldÕs most authoritative testing source in the world. All of the Precise® White Gold alloys have received a "Premium" rating, indicating that rhodium plating is not required. About W.R. Cobb: The Company has been continuously manufacturing in the United States since 1877. Located in Cranston, Rhode Island, the concern is one of the leading supplies of jewelry findings, castings, and precious metals for the jewelry industry internationally. W.R. Cobb has locations in Toronto, China, Vietnam, Bangkok, Mexico City, and Mumbai.