Lyla Dejesus
Wedding rings can be made from various metals, including white, yellow, or rose gold. Gold is a soft metal that is too pliable to be used in its pure form for jewelry, so it is mixed with other metals to make it more durable. White gold is an alloy composed of 75% yellow gold and 25% nickel, silver, or palladium. Even with these other metals, white gold still has a yellowish hue because gold is the primary metal in the alloy. To make it appear more white, it is electroplated with rhodium, a metal in the platinum family. Over time, the rhodium plating can wear away, revealing the yellowish color of the gold underneath. This process can be accelerated by exposure to certain chemicals, sweat, and frequent polishing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural colour of gold | Yellow |
| Gold mixed with other metals | White gold |
| White gold colour achieved by | Rhodium plating |
| Rhodium plating durability | Depends on thickness of plating and acids in skin |
| Rhodium plating worn away by | Water, soap, chemicals, rubbing, hand lotion, sweating, pH levels of body acid |
| Preventative measures | Remove ring when washing hands, showering, swimming, cleaning, doing physical activity, applying hand lotion |
| Other causes | Oxidation, exposure to heat, chemical reactions |
| Solution | Re-polishing, rhodium plating |
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What You'll Learn
- White gold rings are rhodium-plated, and when the rhodium wears off, the natural yellow colour of the gold is revealed
- Oxidation can cause discolouration
- Exposure to certain chemicals, like those in perfumes, soaps, and cleaning agents, can cause discolouration
- Fluctuating hormones can cause a reaction that discolours the ring
- General wear and tear can cause the ring to turn yellow
White gold rings are rhodium-plated, and when the rhodium wears off, the natural yellow colour of the gold is revealed
Gold is not naturally white and is too soft to be used in its pure form for jewellery. Therefore, it is mixed with other metals to make it more durable and less expensive. White gold is made by mixing yellow gold with white metals like nickel, palladium, or zinc to lighten its colour and give it the appearance of a white metal. However, even with these additional elements, a completely white hue is rarely achieved. This is why white gold rings are rhodium-plated, which gives them a brilliant, white look.
Rhodium is a rare and expensive metal that is hard-wearing and adds a brilliant sheen to the metal below it. It is one of six platinum-group metals, which also includes platinum, ruthenium, palladium, osmium, and iridium. It was first discovered in the early 19th century by English chemist and physicist William Hyde Wollaston.
The rhodium plating on white gold rings is very thin and can be worn away over time, revealing the yellowish colour of the gold underneath. This is why white gold rings may turn yellow over time. The rate at which the rhodium plating wears off depends on various factors, including how often the ring is worn, the level of wear and tear, and even the pH levels of the wearer's body acid.
To slow down the process of rhodium plating wearing off, it is recommended to remove the ring before activities that could cause wear and tear, such as washing hands, showering, swimming, or cleaning. It is also important to protect the ring from chemicals, makeup, and cleaning products, as these can contribute to the deterioration of the plating.
If your white gold ring has turned yellow, it can be restored by taking it to a jeweller for re-plating and polishing.
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Oxidation can cause discolouration
If you want to prevent oxidation, it is recommended to store unworn jewellery away from humidity and air, in zip-lock bags. You should also avoid wearing your rings when doing activities that cause sweating, and when using hand lotion.
White gold is an alloy composed of 75% yellow gold and 25% nickel, silver, or palladium. It is electroplated with rhodium to make it appear whiter and brighter. Over time, the rhodium plating wears off, revealing the yellowish hue of the gold beneath. This is why white gold tends to turn yellow over the years.
To prevent this, you can take your ring to a jeweller for a re-polish and rhodium plating. You can also try to slow down the process by following some simple maintenance rules. Avoid using abrasive cloths and liquids to clean your rhodium-plated wedding ring, and protect it from makeup, solvents, and cleaning products. Do not use alcohol or laundry detergents to clean your ring, as these can be corrosive or leave an oily film. Instead, use soapy water at 40 degrees Celsius to clean your ring. Soak the ring for 15 minutes, then brush it with a small soft brush. Finally, rinse the ring with cold water and wipe it dry.
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Exposure to certain chemicals, like those in perfumes, soaps, and cleaning agents, can cause discolouration
Wedding rings, especially those made of white gold, are prone to discolouration due to exposure to certain chemicals commonly found in perfumes, soaps, and cleaning agents. This occurs because white gold is an alloy, typically composed of 75% yellow gold and 25% nickel, silver, or palladium. The resulting alloy still has a yellowish hue, so it is often plated with rhodium, a metal in the platinum family, to give it a brilliant white sheen.
However, the rhodium plating is delicate and can be worn away over time, revealing the yellowish alloy underneath. This process is accelerated by exposure to certain chemicals. For example, the use of hand lotion, soap, and cleaning products can all contribute to wearing down the rhodium plating. Additionally, activities such as swimming, showering, and excessive sweating can also affect the plating, as the water and chemicals in these activities can react with the metal.
To slow down the discolouration process, it is recommended to remove your ring when engaging in activities that involve water or chemicals. This includes taking off your ring when washing your hands, showering, swimming, or cleaning. It is also advisable to avoid applying hand lotion while wearing your ring, as this can affect the plating. By taking these precautions, you can help maintain the rhodium plating and slow down the emergence of the yellowish hue.
If your ring has already turned yellow, there are options for restoring its original colour. You can take it to a jeweller for a re-polish and re-plating. This process typically involves cleaning the ring, polishing it, and then using electroplating to fuse a new layer of rhodium onto the ring. The cost and time required for this process will depend on the amount of wear and tear on the ring, as well as the thickness of the new plating.
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Fluctuating hormones can cause a reaction that discolours the ring
Fluctuating hormones can cause a chemical reaction that discolours a wedding ring. While this may seem surprising, it is true. One way to prevent this discolouration is to take off your ring when engaging in activities that cause you to sweat, as sweat can wear down the rhodium plating, causing the ring to turn yellow. Additionally, removing your ring when using hand lotion can also help prevent discolouration, as the chemicals in the lotion can also wear down the plating.
It is important to note that white gold is not naturally white, and the yellow hue of the gold can emerge over time as the rhodium plating wears off. This is a normal process, and there are steps you can take to slow it down. For example, when cleaning your ring, avoid using abrasive cloths and liquids, and protect it from makeup, solvents, and cleaning products. Instead, use a soft cloth or brush and soak the ring in soapy water at 40 degrees Celsius for around 15 minutes before brushing, rinsing, and wiping it dry.
To restore the original colour of your ring, you may need to have it replated by a skilled jeweller. This process typically costs around $35 and can take 2-7 days to complete. However, it is important to have your ring inspected yearly to ensure it maintains its lustre.
In addition to hormonal fluctuations, discolouration of a wedding ring can also be caused by exposure to heat and fire, as well as certain chemicals found in perfumes, soaps, and cleaning agents. Therefore, it is recommended to store your ring in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and potential sources of heat.
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General wear and tear can cause the ring to turn yellow
Gold is not naturally white and is always mixed with other metals to make it more durable. White gold is an alloy composed of 75% yellow gold and 25% nickel, silver, or palladium. Even with these other metals, white gold still has a yellowish look because gold is the primary metal in white gold. Therefore, it is electroplated with rhodium to make it look whiter.
Over time, the rhodium plating can wear off, revealing the yellowish hue of the gold underneath. This can be caused by general wear and tear, such as friction from everyday activities, or exposure to certain chemicals. For example, the water, soap, and chemicals in cleaning products can wear down the rhodium plating, causing the ring to turn yellow. Additionally, hand lotion, makeup, and even the pH levels of your body acid can contribute to the breakdown of the plating.
To slow down the process of rhodium plating wearing off, it is recommended to remove your ring when doing activities that could cause friction or expose the ring to chemicals. This includes taking it off when washing your hands, showering, swimming, cleaning, or doing physical activities that may cause you to sweat. It is also advised to protect your ring from makeup, solvents, and cleaning products, and to avoid using abrasive cloths and liquids when cleaning your ring.
If your ring has already turned yellow, there is no need to panic. You can take it to a jeweller for a re-polish and rhodium plating, which will restore its original white colour. This process typically costs around $35 and can be completed within a week, depending on the amount of wear and tear on the ring.
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Frequently asked questions
White gold is an alloy composed of 75% yellow gold and 25% nickel, silver, or palladium. The rhodium plating on white gold jewellery wears off over time, revealing the yellow gold underneath.
To prevent your wedding ring from turning yellow, avoid wearing it when handling chemicals or cleaning products, and remove it before showering or swimming. You should also avoid over-polishing your ring, as this can wear down the rhodium plating.
If your wedding ring has turned yellow, you can take it to a jeweller to have it replated with rhodium.
