Clients often worry their white gold ring is fake when it develops a warm tint. It is not. White gold is naturally slightly yellow or gray and is plated with rhodium to appear bright white.
What rhodium is
Rhodium is a platinum-group metal, extremely reflective and hard. A thin layer electroplated over white gold gives that mirror-white look you see in a jewelry case.
Why it wears off
Plating is microns thick. Friction from daily wear, hand sanitizer, chlorine and skin chemistry gradually remove it, revealing the warmer alloy underneath. Rings wear fastest, earrings slowest.
Re-plating
The ring is cleaned, lightly polished and re-plated in about a day. Most daily-wear rings need it every one to two years. It is an ideal time to have prongs inspected as well.
Alternatives
If you prefer no maintenance, platinum stays white permanently and can be refinished indefinitely. Palladium white gold alloys also stay whiter than nickel-based alloys.
Book rhodium plating at our Lakewood shop.
Written by the bench team at Ivanquero Co., 624 S Cody St, Lakewood, CO 80226. This guide is general information; bring your piece in for advice specific to your jewelry.