Your ring is likely turning gold because the rhodium plating on your white gold jewelry is wearing away, revealing the natural yellow color of the white gold underneath.
Understanding White Gold and Rhodium Plating
White gold isn't naturally white. It's an alloy (a mixture of metals) of gold and other white metals like nickel, silver, or palladium. However, even with these additions, white gold often has a slightly creamy or yellowish tint. To achieve the bright, silvery-white appearance that's commonly desired, white gold jewelry is typically plated with rhodium.
Rhodium is a hard, durable, and highly reflective metal that belongs to the platinum family. It's applied as a thin layer to the white gold to enhance its whiteness and luster.
The Rhodium Wear-Away Process
The rhodium plating isn't permanent. Over time, through everyday wear and tear, the thin layer of rhodium gradually wears away. Factors that can accelerate this process include:
- Friction: Rubbing against other surfaces (like countertops, other jewelry, or even your skin) can cause the rhodium to erode.
- Chemicals: Exposure to harsh chemicals like chlorine (in pools or cleaning products), soaps, lotions, and perfumes can damage the rhodium plating.
- Acidity: Some people have more acidic skin than others, which can corrode the rhodium faster.
As the rhodium wears off, the underlying white gold, with its subtle yellow hue, becomes visible, giving the appearance that your ring is "turning gold." It's not actually changing color; it's simply revealing the metal beneath.
Solutions: Replating
The solution to this problem is to have your ring replated with rhodium. This is a common and relatively inexpensive process that can be done by most jewelers.
- Frequency: How often you need to replate your ring depends on your lifestyle and how frequently you wear it. Some people may need replating every 6-12 months, while others can go several years between replating.
- Maintenance: To prolong the life of your rhodium plating:
- Remove your ring when doing housework, gardening, or other activities that might expose it to abrasion or chemicals.
- Avoid wearing your ring while swimming in chlorinated pools or hot tubs.
- Clean your ring regularly with a mild soap and water solution.
- Store your ring in a soft pouch or jewelry box when you're not wearing it.
In short, seeing a gold tint on your white gold ring indicates that the rhodium plating has worn away, exposing the natural color of the white gold underneath. Replating is a simple solution to restore its bright white appearance.
