Why Does My White Gold Ring Turn Yellow?
You chose white gold because you loved that bright, clean finish. Then one day you look down and notice your ring is starting to look a little warmer or slightly yellow.
First: this is completely normal.
It doesn’t necessarily mean there’s anything wrong with your ring, and it doesn’t mean your white gold is poor quality. It actually comes down to how white gold is made and finished.
What is white gold?
Pure gold is naturally yellow. To create white gold, gold is mixed with other metals to give it a lighter, whiter appearance and make it durable enough for jewellery.
But even after those metals are added, white gold usually isn’t naturally the bright, crisp white you see when you first purchase a piece.
That finish often comes from rhodium plating.
What is rhodium plating?
Rhodium is a bright white precious metal that can be applied in a very thin layer over white gold.
It gives jewellery that beautiful, reflective white finish and can help protect the surface of the piece.
Over time, however, that layer gradually wears away.
As it does, you may begin seeing the slightly warmer natural colour of the white gold underneath.
Why does it happen faster to some people?
There isn't one set timeline for rhodium plating.
How quickly it wears depends on things like:
How often you wear the piece
Your lifestyle
How much friction the jewellery experiences
Exposure to lotions, soaps and other products
How the piece is cared for
A wedding or engagement ring worn every day naturally experiences much more wear than a necklace you put on occasionally.
You may even notice the warmer colour appearing first on the bottom of your ring or other areas that regularly rub against surfaces.
Does my ring need to be replaced?
No!
In many cases, your ring simply needs a little maintenance.
White gold jewellery can be professionally cleaned, polished and rhodium plated again to restore that bright white finish you remember.
It's one of those little jewellery maintenance jobs that can make a surprisingly big difference.
While you're at it, have your ring inspected
If your ring is worn every day, refreshing its appearance is also a great opportunity to have the piece inspected.
A jeweller can check for things such as loose gemstones, worn claws or prongs, and areas showing signs of wear.
Catching a small issue early can sometimes prevent a much bigger repair later.
Your jewellery is meant to be worn
Fine jewellery isn't supposed to stay tucked away in a box because you're afraid of changing its finish.
Wear it. Enjoy it. Make memories in it.
And when it starts showing a little evidence of all that love, that's where regular jewellery maintenance comes in.
If your white gold isn't looking quite as white as it used to, bring it into Austen Jewellers in Okotoks. We can take a look and help determine what your piece needs.
