White gold turns slightly yellow over time because the bright white rhodium plating on its surface gradually wears away, revealing the natural colour of the gold alloy underneath. Nothing is wrong with the ring, and a jeweller can restore the bright white finish by replating it.
It is one of the most common questions we hear from people with white gold rings, so here is what is going on and how to look after it. As a general guide, most white gold rings worn every day need replating every one to two years.
Why is white gold not naturally white?
Pure gold is yellow. To make white gold, gold is mixed with white metals, which lightens its colour to a soft grey or pale straw tone. To give it the crisp white look most people expect, the finished ring is plated with a thin layer of rhodium, a bright white metal in the platinum family.
The plating is what you see when your ring is new. Underneath, the alloy is slightly warmer in colour.
Illustration comparing an unplated and a plated band, not a finished À Vie piece.
Why does the plating wear off?
Rhodium is hard, but the layer is very thin. Everyday wear slowly rubs it away, especially on the parts of the ring that touch other surfaces most, such as the underside of the band and the edges. Things that tend to speed it up include:
- Wearing the ring next to another ring, so the two rub together.
- Hand sanitiser, cleaning products and chlorine.
- Manual work, gym sessions and gardening.
You often notice it first on the palm side of the band, where it can look faintly yellow or patchy.
How often does white gold need replating?
There is no fixed interval, because it depends on how the ring is worn. Some people find their ring needs replating every year or so, while others go longer. A ring worn every day beside a wedding band will usually need it sooner than one worn occasionally. The simplest guide is to replate when you start to see the warmer colour coming through and it bothers you.
What happens when a ring is replated?
A jeweller cleans the ring thoroughly, polishes out light scratches, then places it in a plating bath where a fresh layer of rhodium bonds to the surface. It is often a good moment to have the setting checked at the same time. Some stones and treatments need care during plating, so tell the jeweller what is set in the ring.
Can you avoid replating altogether?
In many cases, yes. There are a few routes.
- Platinum is naturally white and is not usually plated, so its colour stays much the same. It develops a soft satin patina instead, which can be polished. Our platinum vs white gold comparison covers the trade offs.
- Leaving white gold unplated gives a gentle warm white tone that some people prefer. With no plating to wear through, its colour stays fairly consistent.
- Yellow or rose gold are not usually plated, so their colour stays much the same with wear.
Does replating damage the ring?
Plating itself adds a layer rather than removing metal. The polishing beforehand removes a very small amount of surface, which is why it is worth choosing a jeweller who polishes gently, especially on rings with fine detail such as milgrain or engraving.
Matching a white gold set
If you wear a white gold engagement ring with a white gold band, replating both together keeps them the same shade. If one ring is platinum and the other white gold, the colours may look slightly different as the plating wears.
Choosing your metal with us
If you would rather avoid replating, we can show your design in platinum, yellow gold or rose gold as well as white gold, so you can compare colour and upkeep before you decide. A 70% deposit starts the making once you approve the CAD design. Your ring is crafted by specialist goldsmiths, UK hallmarked and sent by insured tracked courier. Bespoke rings start from £600.
Read about the bespoke journey to see how a commission works from first conversation to delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my white gold ring turning yellow?
The rhodium plating that makes it bright white wears away over time, showing the warmer colour of the gold alloy underneath.
How often should white gold be replated?
It depends on how the ring is worn. Some people replate every year or so, others less often. Replate when the warmer tone starts to bother you.
Does platinum need rhodium plating?
Not usually. Platinum is naturally white, so it is not normally plated and its colour stays much the same, though it does develop a soft patina.
Can I leave white gold unplated?
Yes. Unplated white gold has a soft warm white tone, and it will not change colour because there is no plating to wear.