Why does my white gold ring look yellow?

The rhodium plating has worn, usually on the palm side, showing the warmer white gold alloy underneath. Re-plating restores the white color.

How often should white gold be re-plated?

It depends on wear. Rings are often re-plated every year or two; earrings and pendants much less often.

Is rhodium plating safe for sensitive skin?

Rhodium itself is very unreactive and creates a barrier over the alloy. If the alloy contains nickel, a reaction can appear once the plating wears.

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Guide

White Gold and Rhodium Plating Explained

Why white gold is plated with rhodium, why it can look slightly yellow over time, and how re-plating works.

White gold is not naturally bright white

Gold is yellow. White gold is made by alloying gold with white metals such as palladium or nickel, which gives a pale gray or faintly warm color. To get the bright white look most people expect, finished white gold is usually electroplated with rhodium, a hard, white metal in the platinum family.

Why plating wears

Rhodium plating is very thin. On rings, the palm side rubs against everything you touch, so plating wears there first and the warmer white gold underneath shows through. Earrings and pendants see less friction and keep their plating far longer. How fast it wears depends on how the piece is worn, not on a defect.

Re-plating

A jeweler can clean, polish, and re-plate white gold with rhodium, often in a day or two. Many people have a white gold ring re-plated every year or two; others like the softer color and never do. Re-plating does not remove meaningful metal.

Avoiding plating altogether

If you would rather not re-plate, consider platinum, which is naturally white, or choose yellow or rose gold. See platinum vs gold and yellow vs white vs rose gold.

Common questions

Why does my white gold ring look yellow?: The rhodium plating has worn, usually on the palm side, showing the warmer white gold alloy underneath. Re-plating restores the white color.
How often should white gold be re-plated?: It depends on wear. Rings are often re-plated every year or two; earrings and pendants much less often.
Is rhodium plating safe for sensitive skin?: Rhodium itself is very unreactive and creates a barrier over the alloy. If the alloy contains nickel, a reaction can appear once the plating wears.