Jewelry made from white gold has long been a popular accessory choice. Since World War II, when white gold was introduced just as the use of platinum had shifted to more military interests, white gold has added a simple, elegant flair to any piece of jewelry. So it can be surprising if the owner of a white gold piece of jewelry notices that it suddenly turns a dull yellow color over time. So what's the reason for this?
What is white gold?
Let's first discuss what white gold is made of. White gold is an alloy made by combining pure gold with other metals, such as nickel, zinc or silver. It typically comes in a ratio of 75% gold to 25% other metals, although varying amounts may exist depending on metal availability or custom design specifications. The resulting mixture makes the gold much stronger than it would be in its pure form, as gold alone is a fairly soft metal.
Although the gold alloy has an almost white color, a slight yellowish tint is always present. This then covers the gold alloy mixture with a coating made of rhodium, a platinum group metal. Doing this will give white gold its distinctive color and chromatic appearance. It also makes the alloy even stronger and helps protect it from damage from the elements and daily wear and tear. The rhodium is applied in a thin layer, so the durability of the jewelry is still largely dependent on the purity of the gold used in the base alloy.
What causes discoloration in white gold?
If you see a yellowish tint in your white gold jewelry, it is not due to poor quality. Instead, you see the inner layer of gold alloy beneath the rhodium layer. Because rhodium is applied in such a thin layer, usually only a few micrometers thick, it can wear off over time. The reasons for losing your rhodium layer vary:
- Excessive sweating
- Individual body chemistry
- Strong household chemicals for cleaning
- Excessive wear or physical damage
Rhodium plating usually lasts between 12 and 18 months before noticeably wearing off. The time it takes for the coating to start to wear off also depends on the type of jewelry it is applied to. Jewelry like earrings that don't get a lot of rubbing or wear will last much longer than rings or bracelets, and pieces you wear every day won't last as long as pieces you wear only occasionally.
What to do if your white gold is discoloured?
Fortunately, there are simple solutions to this problem. You can have a new layer of rhodium plating applied to your jewelry. The process is quick and takes about 90 minutes. It is completed by a jeweler.
Otherwise, you will need to take steps to ensure that your white gold jewelry is protected from discoloration. Because the rhodium layer wears away with rubbing, it is best to avoid situations where your jewelry can wear out. If you are in a position where you need to wash your hands frequently, remove rings and bracelets before applying soap and water to your skin. Do not wear white gold jewelry while working in adverse conditions such as hot kitchens, swimming pools or other work where you may be exposed to harsh chemicals. Finally, you should never wear your white gold jewelry in the shower, where hot water and abrasive soaps can easily wear off the rhodium layer.
If you're looking for that special piece of white gold to add to your collection, contact the professionals at Greis Jewelers. We've been providing high-quality jewelry and even higher-quality customer service to the metro Detroit area for more than 40 years. Come and see the difference. dagcontactwith us today.
