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.
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.
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.
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.
Although white gold naturally turns yellow over time, there are several steps you can take to maintain the color of your white gold jewelry at home. One of the biggest contributors to wear and tear on jewelry is interaction with natural oils, fragrances, soaps, salt water, and chlorine.
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.
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.
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. At this stage, rhodium plating can be reapplied, and your white gold jewellery will sparkle like new again.
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.
The short answer is no. Toothpaste is not a good option for cleaning your ring. Toothpaste contains scrubbing particles to polish your teeth, but these particles are often harder than the metals in your ring, especially gold or white gold. Using toothpaste on your jewelry could cause scratches or pitting in the metal.
Over time, the rhodium plating wears off, revealing the color of the white gold underneath. That's when you'll have to take the item to the jeweler and have them replate the piece.
Does Coke Clean Gold? This is a handy and maybe unexpected tip, but Coke does indeed clean gold. You can dip your gold in a small bowl of Coke and make sure that it is completely covered. Leave the gold plated jewelry in the solution for 10 minutes and then rub with a soft cloth and rinse.
Q: CAN I CLEAN MY JEWELRY WITH WHITE VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA? A: Yes, cleaning jewelry with baking soda and vinegar is pretty simple. Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and two tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl. Allow your jewelry to soak in the white vinegar and baking soda solution for a few hours.
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.
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.
"Sweat and friction can cause gold to leach out of jewelry," notes Dr. Dao.
Chemicals such as perfume, hairspray, and cleaning products can damage white gold jewelry. So, always put on your jewelry after applying these products. Regular cleaning can help prevent tarnishing. Use a soft-bristled brush and mild soap to clean your jewelry.
While it is technically possible to transform white gold into yellow gold, it is not feasible. The white gold has to be melted to remove the white alloys that give white gold its color. The remaining yellow gold is solidified and reshaped.
A common misconception is that rhodium plating only needs to be done once and is permanent. As it is a metal, like any other metal used in jewellery, it is susceptible to wear and tear through exposure. So most white gold pieces on average will need to be rhodium plated every 12-18 months.
What is the cost of rhodium plating? Rhodium plating can cost anywhere between $60-150 for an engagement ring or wedding band. The price will vary depending on the quality of the rhodium and the quality of the jeweler's work.
The G.S.P Home Jeweller allows you to re-plate your rings in under ten minutes, using the same solutions and technology as those used at the jewellers, but in the comfort of your own home and at a fraction of the cost per ring.
Re-plating your white gold jewellery with a new layer of rhodium costs from €60 – depending on the size. The process takes about 3 – 4 hours and can be done on the same day if an appointment has been made.
But the point worth making here is that white gold has a lower resale value in comparison to yellow gold. This is because the alloy mixed with the gold cost less and at the same time it is implicit that the purity or Karat of your gold jewellery is diluted.