White gold is slightly stronger than yellow gold, making it more durable. The cost of white gold and yellow gold is relatively the same, as they're both made of gold and other alloy metals.
Both white gold and yellow gold are high quality metals for your jewelry. However, they do differ significantly in strength. Thanks to its higher content of alloys, white gold jewelry is more resistant to dents, scratches, and damage than yellow gold.
While white gold may be more affordable to buy at first, keep in mind that it needs to be replated every five to 10 years to keep its color.
White gold jewellery can become scratched, especially when worn on a daily basis. White gold's rhodium plating will wear away over time. You'll need to have it re-plated (called rhodium plating) to keep its 'white' colour however, this is a simple process.
Conclusion. 14k white gold is stronger than pure gold, less likely to wear than platinum, and is much more affordable than both. And though it may require slightly more maintenance than rose or yellow gold, it remains a clean and classic choice that will last a lifetime.
Wearing solid gold jewelry, white gold or yellow gold, in the shower will not harm the metal itself, however it can reduce the shine therefore it is not recommended. Showering with gold plated jewelry can eventually cause the gold layer to wear off completely, therefore you should definitely refrain from doing so.
When you see a yellowish tint in your white gold jewelry, it's not because of poor quality. Instead, you see the inner layer of gold alloy under the rhodium plating. Because rhodium is applied in such a thin layer, usually only a few microns thick, it can wear off over time.
Where yellow gold tends to become scratched and need polishing to restore its bright shine, the rhodium plating on white gold is more durable and scratch resistant. While high-quality rhodium plating will stand up to daily wear, over time it will begin to wear off and the yellow hue of the white gold will show through.
It is a white metal that is much more affordable than platinum and palladium. It is significantly more durable and scratch resistant than platinum and sterling silver, due to the lower gold content. It is an excellent choice for those who are in search of a bargain but who still want a beautiful piece of jewelry.
Since white gold features rhodium plating to lend it greater durability, the rhodium plating will add greater value. However, its value will decrease if the rhodium plating is in poor condition, as it does tend to wear down over time.
It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years for white gold to begin showing a yellow color, depending on how quickly the thin rhodium plating wears away.
Over time the rhodium will wear, and your white gold jewelry will need to be re-plated. Wearing rings every day - Your rings may need to be rhodium plated once every six months to once a year. Wearing rings for special occasions - Your ring may need to rhodium plated every 2-3 years.
Whether or not white gold turns yellow depends on the base alloy, so the gold used underneath the rhodium plating. White gold itself does not change color, and the color will remain the same.
For the average person, white gold is not difficult to maintain. The major maintenance is the rhodium rebuffing that white gold jewelry requires every year or so. Many jewelers will actually take care of this for free.
Gold-filled is much more expensive than gold plated material and will last longer; however, it does have a life span of about 10 to 30 years, unlike pure gold pieces which will last forever.
Solid gold is the best quality of gold there is - it's great to wear everyday, won't fade, and is hypoallergenic.
There is no price value difference between the actual gold in white and yellow gold jewellery, as long as it is hallmarked at the same carat weight.
As far as the question, 'does white gold tarnish or not? ' is concerned, we know that it does not. It only reverts to its original yellow hue. It can always be re-coated to retain its lustrous shine, is cost-effective - making it an excellent choice for engagement bands.
Wearing A White Gold Ring in the Shower
There's nothing wrong with getting white gold wet, so the water running in your shower will not damage your white gold ring. However, it's still strongly recommended that you take the ring off prior to showering.
The advantages of white gold. White gold is a beautiful, precious metal. It has the same luxurious, gleaming appearance as platinum and silver. However, it is much more affordable than platinum and more hard-wearing and lasting than silver.
Most people have cool skin, including people with dark skin and tan skin. If you have determined that you have a cool skin tone, you'll look best wearing pieces crafted of platinum and white gold.
Replating a white gold ring may cost around $100-$200. But it still depends on the thickness, quality of the rhodium, and the expertise of the jeweller.
How Do I Fix It? Since the “yellowing” is just the rhodium plating wearing away, the simple way to fix it is to get the rhodium replaced. Take your white gold to the store you purchased it, and they will place a thin coat of rhodium over the gold, returning it to the shiny white color you had originally.
Platinum is easier to maintain over time than white gold. Platinum is also the most hypoallergenic of all metals, because of its purity. Platinum is made of 95% pure platinum, where white gold is made out of 75% pure gold, and 25% other metals.