White gold question

[kboggs315]

I have seen references in other posts of white gold needing to be "re-done". What I''m getting from that is that there is a chance that my white gold ring with "tarnish" so to speak. Can someone fill me in on this potential problem? Thanks.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Welcome to PriceScope, Kristen!

Actually, most white gold is plated with rhodium. Over time, especially on rings since they get more wear, the rhodium can wear off in places. It will have a yellowish appearance since white gold is made with yellow gold with a white alloy. It is very simple and inexpensive to have it replated with rhodium. How soon this happens depends on the piece of jewelry itself and sometimes the body chemistry of the wearer. There are some newer white gold alloys that suppposedly do not ned rhodium plating, but they are pretty new, so they don''t have long term track records.

 

[gwendolyn]

Is there any type of metal used for rings that doesn''t need something? White gold needs replating from time to time, platinum needs to be polished--do all metals needs some sort of upkeep like this throughout the life of the ring?

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 5/11/2008 6:11:11 AM
Author: gwendolyn
Is there any type of metal used for rings that doesn''t need something? White gold needs replating from time to time, platinum needs to be polished--do all metals needs some sort of upkeep like this throughout the life of the ring?

Short answer - yup! They are after all precious metals - very strong and durable, but not infallible

Personally, I seem to have had a better experience than the general I hear on PS about WG - I had my 18k wg ering for over 3 yrs before needing to have it re-rhodium plated, and I''m not particularly gentle on my stuff..
I think if you want low maintenance, YG may be the way to go..

 

[Rhea]

I think it also depends on your body chemistry, doesn''t it? I have a white gold ring that I''ve had for 7 years and still no yellowing.

Most of the other rings I wear are antique white gold. I have several wedding bands from the 1920s and 1930s and they seem to be holding up. Maybe the mixture they used back then was different as well.

I hear that palladium white gold doesn''t yellow as quickly so that could also be an answer if you''re worried about yellowing.

 

[diamondringlover]

Date: 5/11/2008 6:11:11 AM
Author: gwendolyn
Is there any type of metal used for rings that doesn''t need something? White gold needs replating from time to time, platinum needs to be polished--do all metals needs some sort of upkeep like this throughout the life of the ring?

Yellow gold, I have some 14K rings that are 25 years old and they still look very good, they do get scratched and that can be buffed out, but the scratches do not detract from the beauty, I guess that is why I still wear yellow gold, I like low maintance jewerly

 

[tberube]

Date: 5/11/2008 5:40:03 PM
Author: diamondrnglover

Date: 5/11/2008 6:11:11 AM
Author: gwendolyn
Is there any type of metal used for rings that doesn''t need something? White gold needs replating from time to time, platinum needs to be polished--do all metals needs some sort of upkeep like this throughout the life of the ring?

Yellow gold, I have some 14K rings that are 25 years old and they still look very good, they do get scratched and that can be buffed out, but the scratches do not detract from the beauty, I guess that is why I still wear yellow gold, I like low maintance jewerly

Interesting. Sounds like yellow gold is the way to go if you want zero upkeep-age. Personally, though, I''ve seen white gold that''s not rhodium plated and I kinda like the warmth. I''ve been wearing my 14K white gold ering for a year and it''s still just as white as my wedding band that I haven''t worn yet....but I''m not even sure if I''ll want to re-rhodium if it ever wears off.

 

[neatfreak]

WG''s need for upkeep totally does depend on your body chemistry. For some people it can yellow in only a few months, and someone else may wear WG for years with no problems. I usually recommend that unless you like the warmth of it, get a cheap WG ring to wear for a few months to see what your body does with it before buying a WG ering. Unless you don''t mind the rhodium plating all the time!