The tendency of white gold to discolor over time is a common concern. While not pure gold due to its inherent softness, white gold is an alloy typically made by combining gold with metals like nickel, palladium, or silver. This alloy is then usually plated with rhodium, a bright white metal, to enhance its appearance and durability. It is the eventual wearing away of this rhodium plating that leads to a change in the jewelry’s color.
Understanding the underlying composition is crucial to properly maintain white gold jewelry. Regular cleaning and occasional re-plating of the rhodium layer are essential practices to preserve the desired bright white appearance. Ignoring this maintenance can result in a yellowish hue becoming visible as the base alloy is exposed, affecting the piece’s aesthetic value and potentially causing allergic reactions for individuals sensitive to nickel in certain alloys.