Do you remember when you first bought your white gold jewelry? You couldn't take your eyes off that bright white finish. But now, a few months or years down the line, the white finish is fading away, replaced by a yellowish shine that's not so aesthetically appealing.
Did your sebum or sweat stain it, or did you just buy fake jewelry? Well, it's neither of that. In fact, it's not even your fault. White gold turns yellowish over time, but luckily, you can fix it.
Why Is Your White Gold Turning Yellow?
White gold doesn't exist in nature. It's just one of the many alloys of gold. Pure 24-carat gold is too malleable to be used in jewelry, so we make it hard by mixing it with other metals.
In order to get white gold, we mix pure gold with white metals like silver, zinc, palladium, or nickel to create the off-white version of gold that we all love and admire. In time, the rhodium plating that gives it the white color gets worn off, exposing the actual gold alloy underneath. And since the alloy is mostly comprised of pure gold (which is yellow), we get a warm golden hue.
The rate at which white gold turns yellow depends on several factors, including;
- Rubbing the jewelry on clothing constantly
- Not taking off your jewelry when working with water
- Natural chemicals on your skin
- Obsessively polishing the jewelry
How To Clean White Gold
Before cleaning the jewelry, inspect it carefully for any signs of broken stones or loose clasps. If you find any defects, you might want to take the piece to your jeweler to have it fixed. But, if it looks good, then you can go ahead and clean it through the following procedure.
- Mix slightly warm water with mild soap in a basin
- Let the jewelry soak in the mixture for about 20 to 30 minutes
- Lightly scrub the jewelry with a soft-bristle brush to remove any dirt in hard-to-reach areas
- Rinse in lukewarm water to remove any traces of detergent
- Dry with a clean towel
Are You Looking for White Gold Jewelry?
White gold is one of the most alluring metals used in jewelry. It's also one of the most delicate. But, with a little care and maintenance, you can prevent your white gold from turning yellow any time soon. Check out our white gold jewelry collection for the most dazzling and exquisite pieces.