White Gold Wedding Ring Tarnish: What You Need To Know

White gold is a popular choice for wedding rings, but many people don't know how to care for it. It is a combination of pure gold and white metals like nickel, zinc, silver, or palladium, and it is typically plated with rhodium for a durable, silvery finish. While white gold doesn't tarnish, its rhodium coating can rub away over time, causing the ring to appear tarnished. This happens due to everyday wear and tear, exposure to certain chemicals, and activities such as swimming or exercising. To prevent this, it is recommended to remove white gold jewellery before showering, swimming, or cleaning, and to avoid over-polishing.

Why rhodium plating is important

Rhodium is a rare and valuable precious metal. It is a member of the platinum family of metals and has a bright, silvery-white appearance. It is also naturally corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic.

When gold is mined, it has a natural bright yellow colour. To turn it white, an alloy is added to the material, but this can dull its colour and take away its natural shine. The solution to this is rhodium plating.

Rhodium plating gives jewellery a brilliant, smooth, and shiny finish, making it look more attractive. It also enhances the durability of metals, allowing them to last longer. It provides better shine by enhancing the luster and reflectivity of white gold, resulting in a brighter and shinier-looking piece.

Rhodium plating can also help make diamonds look brighter and shinier. Some white gold jewellery contains nickel, which can irritate people with sensitive skin and allergies. If you have sensitive skin, rhodium plating will save you from skin irritations as rhodium does not contain any types of allergens.

Rhodium plating is also a great option for those who are looking for jewellery with a more expensive look without having to pay extra. It has a similar look to high-end platinum pieces of jewellery, which are considerably more expensive.

Finally, rhodium plating prevents jewellery from corroding. Many metals used in jewellery can be susceptible to corrosion over time, especially when used on a day-to-day basis. If you are worried about that, rhodium plating can be a solution for you. It has an anti-corrosion feature that mitigates your jewellery's rusting chances, despite frequent contact with water.

How to restore whiteness

White gold rings are rhodium-plated, which gives them a bright white finish. Over time, the rhodium plating wears off, exposing the actual gold alloy underneath, which has a yellowish hue. This is not tarnishing, but it can be undesirable. Here are some ways to restore the whiteness of your white gold ring:

Professional Cleaning and Re-plating

The easiest way to restore the whiteness of a white gold ring is to have it professionally cleaned and re-plated. This process involves ultrasonic cleaning, re-polishing, further cleaning, and then applying a new rhodium plating. The final result should be consistent with the brand-new appearance of the ring when it was first purchased. This process can be completed within 90 minutes, and the cost typically ranges from $30 to $150.

Home Cleaning

If you do not want to get your ring re-plated, you can clean it at home to restore some of its original whiteness. Here are the steps:

• Mix a few drops of mild soap (without chlorine or harsh chemicals) with warm water.
• Soak the ring in the soapy water for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Use a soft-bristle brush to gently scrub the ring and remove any dirt from hard-to-reach areas.
• Rinse the ring in lukewarm water to remove any soap residue.
• Dry the ring with a clean, soft towel.

Preventative Measures

To prevent the rhodium plating from wearing off and exposing the yellowish gold alloy underneath, you can take the following precautions:

• Remove the ring before showering or swimming, as chlorine in the water can corrode the plating.
• Avoid contact with other metals, such as rings on neighbouring fingers, cutlery, or metal handrails.
• Remove the ring before cleaning or using household chemicals like bleach and detergents.
• Avoid excessive polishing, as this can chip away at the plating.
• Avoid wearing the ring during vigorous exercise, as minerals in sweat can contribute to plating damage.

How to care for white gold

White gold is a durable and attractive metal that is often chosen for its quality and appearance. It is a combination of pure gold and white metals like nickel, zinc, silver, or palladium. To maintain its shine and strength, it is typically plated with rhodium. While white gold doesn't tarnish, its colour can fade due to the rhodium coating being rubbed away.

Remove Before Showering or Swimming

Even the water you bathe in can contain abrasive minerals and salts that can speed up the wearing process of the rhodium plating. Therefore, it is best to remove your white gold jewellery before showering or swimming.

Avoid Contact with Other Metals

Frequent interaction with softer metals, such as gold, can pose a risk of damage to the rhodium coating. Try to avoid wearing rings on neighbouring fingers or having direct contact with cutlery and metal handrails.

Remove Before Cleaning

Household chemicals, like bleach and detergents, can damage rhodium plating. It is recommended to remove your rhodium-plated jewellery before engaging in deep cleaning or any heavy-duty scrubbing sessions.

Avoid Chlorine

Exposure to chlorine, especially in pools, can lead to the erosion of the protective rhodium coating, resulting in a shortened lifespan for your white gold piece.

Avoid Vigorous Exercise

Minerals present in sweat can contribute to rhodium plating damage. While light activities are generally fine, it is advisable to remove your favourite pieces during vigorous exercise.

Be Mindful of Jewellery Layering

Wearing multiple pieces of jewellery or layering rings on every finger can cause other rings to rub against your white gold chains and speed up the wearing process, leading to the yellow colour of the gold underneath being revealed.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

It is important to clean your white gold jewellery regularly and properly. You can use liquid soap, dishwashing liquid, or shampoo for gentle cleaning. For more persistent impurities, baking soda or gel toothpaste can be used. It is recommended to soak the jewellery in a warm water solution with a small amount of washing agent for 15-20 minutes, then use a soft sponge or cotton bud to clean the surfaces, paying attention to small crevices where dust and dirt can collect. Finally, rinse the jewellery under running water and dry it with a soft cloth.

In addition to at-home cleaning, it is advisable to schedule maintenance appointments with a professional jeweller at least once a year to ensure the security of your stones and the overall condition of your jewellery.

Why white gold doesn't tarnish like other metals

Gold is used in jewellery because it is one of the least reactive elements, meaning it does not react to oxygen, moisture or sulphur. This is why gold does not tarnish. However, pure 24-carat gold is too soft to be used in jewellery, so it is blended with other alloys to make it more durable and to change its colour.

White gold is a combination of pure gold and white metals like nickel, zinc, silver or palladium. This mixture creates a stronger compound that is more resistant to scratches and dents than softer metals. However, the metals used in the alloy, such as nickel or palladium, can oxidise, which is why white gold can tarnish.

To improve its whiteness, white gold is typically plated with rhodium, a rare and valuable metal that is resistant to corrosion. However, this plating can wear off over time, exposing the actual colour of the white gold beneath, which has a yellowish tinge due to the presence of other metals.

To prevent tarnishing, it is recommended to remove white gold jewellery during activities that may cause wear and tear, such as physical tasks or exposure to harsh chemicals. It is also important to avoid contact with harsh chemicals and beauty products, and to regularly clean white gold with a gentle soap and water solution.

How to know if your ring needs replating

White gold is a combination of pure gold and white metals like nickel, zinc, silver, or palladium. It is typically plated with rhodium, a rare, valuable metal that gives white gold its durable, silvery finish. However, over time, the rhodium plating wears off, revealing the colour of the white gold underneath. So, how do you know if your ring needs replating?

Firstly, examine your ring closely. If you notice patches of different shades of white, or areas that appear yellowish, this is a sign that the rhodium plating is wearing off and the natural colour of the white gold is coming through. The inside and edges of the band, which are subject to more wear and tear, will often be the first places to change colour.

Secondly, consider how long it has been since you last had your ring replated. Rhodium plating typically lasts between six months and a few years, depending on factors such as how often you wear the ring, the type of ring, and your lifestyle. For example, rhodium plating on rings will wear off more quickly than on necklaces or earrings because rings are worn on the hand and come into contact with more surfaces.

If you notice discolouration or it has been more than six months since your last replating, it is likely that your ring needs to be replated to restore its bright white finish.

Frequently asked questions