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.
How Long Does it Take for White Gold to Turn Yellow? 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.
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.
Most white gold jewelry is rhodium plated. As the rhodium plating is only a thin top layer, the rhodium plating tends to fade over time. This is especially true around prongs and corners, which get the most wear and tear.
How Long Does White Gold Last? So, if you've just purchased a gorgeous new jewelry piece, you might wonder about the average lifespan of rhodium-plated white gold. Generally, white gold should last 1-3 years before requiring replating.
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.
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.
As soft metals, white gold and silver are similar in that jewelers need to mix them with other metal alloys so they are durable enough to undergo daily wear.
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.
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.
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.
Most jewelers recommend getting white gold jewelry like earrings, necklaces, or bracelets re-plated every 1-2 years. Jewelry pieces that are worn daily like rings, however, undergo quite a bit more wear and tear and should be coated more often, ideally every 3 months to a year.
Remove any white gold jewellery before you carry out dirty or hands-on tasks. Don't swim while wearing white gold as the chemicals in the water (chlorine) can react with the plating. Remove white gold items when bathing and sleeping. Keep your white gold away from other metals.
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.
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.
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.
Price & Value
So for example, 18K white gold and 18K yellow gold will contain the same percentage of gold. However, white gold jewellery can be slightly more expensive than yellow gold jewellery, because of the manufacturing process it undergoes while being mixed and coated.
Cool skin looks the best with metals that are bright and silvery, like platinum and white gold. The icy tone of these metals will complement the blue undertones of your skin, and can have a lovely brightening effect on your complexion.
Price. Elizabeth shares, “Platinum is roughly 40-50% more expensive than white gold because more platinum is required to make a piece due to its density. It is rarer than gold, which also contributes to its high price tag."
Prices: White gold is more valuable due to its composition of 75% pure gold as well as any use of a nickel alloy. Keep in mind that white gold is generally around $23.86 per gram while sterling silver is only about 59 cents per gram!
"Sweat and friction can cause gold to leach out of jewelry," notes Dr. Dao.
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.
No. We highly recommend that you take off rings while washing dishes. Harsh chemicals and soaps can discolour the rings and damage the metal. Not only this, any loose stones can potentially fall out and get washed away forever.
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.