“Why is my white gold turning yellow”?

You own some jewelry that is white gold, you love its appearance, you love the shine, we all do but the reality is that it won't always look this way. Compared to the day that you first got your jewelry, it will have likely lost its colour and luster.
But, the good news is that you can do something about this to restore it to a degree!

First, we must understand why our white gold rings, necklaces and bracelets might turn yellow. This is because of what they are made of and how white gold jewelery is crafted, with a mix of one or more different metals, one being yellow gold.

To remove the tinge of yellow they have originally, jewelers plate all white gold with rhodium to make it look like platinum, just a whole lot more affordable. Rhodium will give your rings that desired shine and color but its coat is not eternal. Every day we expose our rings to friction, damage, chemicals, lotions, and all that comes from everyday wear and tear. Because of this daily damage, eventually the yellow under layers become slowly more visible 

How long does it take for white gold to turn yellow?

The beauty of rhodium plated rings varies between a few weeks and several years before your rings start to turn yellow. The reason this is so vast is because it depends on you as an individual while wearing it and for how long. Eventually through daily wear and tear the outer layer will wear down to reveal an unsatisfactory creamy-yellow color 

How to keep white gold white

If you’re a fan of the white gold look then you will be relieved to know that it is quick and easy to restore any piece to its former glory! The best way to make your ring look like new, is not by replacing but replating the original! Depending on the degree of wear will depend on the procedure your jeweler undertakes. This is based on how many layers and coats needed to reform a ‘just like new’ layer.
For those who have a nickel allergy there is more reason for you to stay on top of this, because the plating is what protects your delicate fingers from becoming too irritated.

Another alternative to restoring your ring to its original color is with a process called electroplating. This process initially fuses any and all worn white gold with a fresh plating of rhodium. This process is best left for the pros to do their thing, as it requires specific technology in order to get the job done as efficiently as possible. 

Why not too over polish

Scratches are inevitable and it's within our instincts that we want to get rid of them which is what our jewelers are there to help with. However, it’s good to keep in mind for those who this is a new concept for, that the process involves removing a tiny layer from the surface.

If you do this too often the in between time for a new coat gets shorter and shorter. Which is why a general rule is to do this no more than once or twice a year

Will electroplating harm my diamond?

On a lasting note, white gold is known as an affordable option for your engagement ring, and you might be reading all these paragraphs wondering if any of these restoring processes will hurt your diamond? Rest assured that when you leave it to the professionals, your diamond will not be harmed. Electroplating will only affect materials that conduct electricity, such as gold and will not harm or change your stone!