Skip to main content

Understanding White Gold


Firstly, there's no such thing as mining for yellow gold and mining for white gold, all gold is yellow. In order to make it more white in appearance, the gold is alloyed with white metals, like nickel, palladium, platinum or silver, dependant on the item being made.


So why is my white gold dull and off colour?

The last process for white gold is rhodium plating. This gives a brilliant, shiny white finish, but it doesn't last forever. Rhodium is part of the platinum family, applied via electro plating. Although durable, it does wear and can leave a yellow tinge to your white gold.

How can I fix this?

The vast majority of Quality jewellers will be able to offer a re-rhodium plating service. Where your item will be thoroughly polished, cleaned and rhodium plated back to its original beauty. The cost can vary considerably! I have seen prices range from £12.50 to £50, for the same service. I would say a charge of £15-£20 for a ring is acceptable, no lesser a service would be provided for this cost as the process is the same.

How do I prolong my rhodium plating?

Various things can affect the rhodium, from the Ph balance of your skin to the type of moisturisers you may use and how 'hands on' your daily routine is. Here's a few tips on how to prolong your rhodium plating:

Avoid household chemicals. Remove your jewellery when cleaning, washing or showering as the products can affect the rhodium.
2. Remove all jewellery before applying skin products, and allow those products to be fully
absorbed before putting your jewellery back on.
3. Allow perfume to settle before putting your jewellery on.
4. Remove your rings for any tasks that may be harsher on your hands.

Rhodium plating can last on average 18 months before showing serious signs of wear, but by applying the above tips, you can make this last longer.

Remember, here at Jay's Jewellery we are happy to support you in any questions you may have or advice you need, just drop us an email to Info@jays-jewellery.com.

All the best

Jay

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Peridot - The Birthstone Of August

Take a look at  JAY'S   JEWELLERY  for our latest updates. The term peridot is believed to have originated from the Arabic Faridat, meaning Gem. It is the national gem of Egypt and was often used in Amulets to ward off evil. Egyptians also referred to it as the 'gem of the sun' believing it protected its wearers from dangers of the night. Some historians actually believe that Cleopatra's famed emerald collection may have actually been peridot. Peridot was first mined on St Johns island in the Red Sea as many as 3500 years ago. The biggest mine producing peridot currently is in Arizona, USA.  It can also be found in Hawai, from deposits of volcanoes and is called the tears of Pele, the volcano Goddess of fire. Peridot can also, albeit rarely, be found in meteorites called Pallasites. Peridot has seen a resurgence in its popularity check out  OUR COLLECTION Don't forget about our unbeatable   30 Day Price Match Guarantee  Rose Gold Je...

Opal - The Birthstone Of October

Here's  Jay’s Jewellery  take on this months Birthstone, Opal. Opal is believed to originate from the Greek word Opallios, meaning, ‘to see a change in colour.’ Australia is the main source of all different colours and types of Opal, approximately 95% of the world's supply. Aborigines believed that the earth creator came to earth on a rainbow, leaving colourful ‘rainbow-like’ opals where ever his feet touched.  Sir Walter Scott’s book, ‘Ann Of Geierstein’ fro, 1829 soon changed how opals luck was perceived. The princess wore an opal which changed colour with her mood until a drop of holy water touched it and destroyed its colour. The princess died shortly afterwards, giving it the perception of being unlucky. The Olympic Australis is considered to be the worlds most expensive opal. Weighing in at 17,000 (yes 17 thousand) carats and 11 inches long. Discovered during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, it was valued in 2005 at AUS$2.5 million. To Read More Click Here Silver E...

How To Keeping Your Silver Sparkling By jays-jewellery

So, who has tarnished silver jewellery ....... This blog will help you understand why it tarnishes and how to prevent it or clean it if it is already tarnished. Lets start with the term 'Sterling Silver ' used frequently to describe silver. I'm sure it's a term we have all wondered about at some point and just accepted the fact it's silver. Simply put, it's the fineness of the metal, or its purity. So, Sterling Silver is classed as 925 or 92.5% pure silver. There's another type called Brittannia Silver which is marked 958 or 95.8% pure silver. The vast majority of silver jewellery is made from Sterling Silver So Why Does Silver Tarnish? Without getting too technical, it reacts with sulphur in the air which causes the tarnish. Skin ph balance, perfume, moisturisers and swimming in your jewellery can also tarnish your silver. Frequently wearing your silver jewellery will help prevent it tarnishing. It's important that when showering, moisturi...