What is white gold?

White gold is made from a combination of yellow gold alloyed with other metals, usually some mix of silver, nickel, platinum or palladium, for durability and strength. The more gold in the alloy, the more yellow the ‘white’ gold will appear in colour, meaning that 18ct white gold is naturally more yellow than 9ct.

Is white gold real gold?

Yes. Even though white gold contains alloy metals, its base material is pure gold.

In the UK, by law, all gold jewellery weighing more than 1 gram must be hallmarked which certifies that the piece contains the amount of gold stated.

Why is white gold coated in rhodium?

To get the whitest possible finish, white gold is traditionally plated with rhodium (which comes from the same metal family as platinum). Rhodium coating adds a further lustrous surface sheen to the jewellery and protects it from scratching.

Our white gold jewellery is rhodium-plated as standard. However, if you would like to purchase a white gold ring without the rhodium plating, please contact us before purchasing and we can create a custom order for you.

Why does white gold eventually start to look like yellow gold?

Over time, the rhodium coating on your white gold jewellery becomes worn, revealing the yellow gold colour underneath. This is normal and eventually, this happens to all white gold jewellery.

How quickly it happens, depends on many factors such as the pH level of your skin and what toiletries or household chemicals your jewellery comes into contact with.

Don’t worry, however, as it can be easily resolved. If the ring becomes too yellow for your liking, you can send it back to us for re-plating. The cost for re-coating a ring is not expensive, and you can choose how often you want to do it.

How do I look after white gold rings?

If the ring picks up any surface dirt, you can rinse it under cold water and dry the ring carefully with a soft cotton or microfibre cloth. The shine of the ring may dull from contact with detergents, moisturiser and soaps, but even a quick buff with a soft cloth will improve the appearance of the ring.