Does White Gold Tarnish?

Tarnished jewellery can be difficult (and tedious!) to clean. It can also leave marks on your skin when wearing, so some people tend to steer away from jewellery that can tarnish. White gold is a popular metal used in jewellery and is favoured for its shiny white appearance. It is a great choice for engagement rings as its shiny finish compliments diamonds perfectly. White gold also looks great for necklaces, earrings and bracelets - and is a great alternative to silver and platinum. But as silver is known to be a metal that tarnishes, you may be wondering, can white gold tarnish too? So, in today's blog, we will go through what tarnish is, what causes it and whether white gold can tarnish.

What Is Tarnish and What Causes It?

Tarnish is when your jewellery accumulates a thin layer of corrosion that can make your jewellery appear darker, less bright and less fresh. Tarnishing is a result of a chemical reaction, usually oxidisation. This can be caused when your silver or copper jewellery is exposed to air, moisture, natural oils and sweat - or if you haven't dried your jewellery properly after cleaning. To prevent your jewellery from tarnishing, you should store it in jewellery boxes overnight, rather than sleeping in them. Place anti-tarnish strips inside and wrap your jewellery in soft clothes to avoid further exposure to air. We recommend you avoid applying lotions and perfumes or body oils directly onto jewellery as the chemicals in the products can cause tarnish.

Can You Remove Tarnish?

Yes, you can remove tarnish from jewellery with a simple chemical reaction or polishing. Many jewellers offer cleaning solutions in-store that can remove light tarnishing. However, a full cleaning and polishing service may be required to restore your jewellery to as good as new. This is something most Goldsmiths can carry out. White gold requires an extra step in the deep cleaning process that only Goldsmiths can do, as most white gold is rhodium-plated. Rhodium plating enhances the shine of white gold making it whiter and brighter. Here at Miltons Diamonds, our rhodium plating and cleaning service starts at £45 depending on the item.

Can White Gold Tarnish?

Pure gold can't tarnish. However, we don’t wear pure gold. 18ct gold contains 75% gold, 14ct gold contains 58.5% gold and 9ct contains 37.5% gold. Often tarnishing results from the other metals mixed with the gold oxidising. Some people will see the rhodium plating wearing away and mistake it for tarnish. White gold is alloyed with a mixture of gold and palladium or nickel. It is then coated in a rhodium finish to give it a shiny white finish and an extra layer of durability. Sometimes, as you wear your jewellery, natural components like sweat and body oils can cause the re-rhodium finish to wear down, leaving the jewellery with a yellow undertone. To get the most out of your rhodium finish, you should make sure to clean your jewellery regularly to remove any dirt and oils that can accumulate on the surface. So, although white gold does not tarnish, it can undergo appearance changes over time.

Benefits of White Gold

There are countless benefits to white gold jewellery - let's take a look at a few of them:

Timeless

White gold is a timeless metal and a great choice for jewellery that you may want to pass down from generation to generation and keep as a family heirloom. The metal never goes out of style. Its shiny white finish adds a luxurious feel to the jewellery, making it perfect for engagement rings and other sentimental jewellery.

Versatile

White gold is versatile. It can be moulded into almost any shape, meaning your jewellery pieces are able to have intricate designs. This gives much more flexibility to designers and jewellery makers - and of course, more selection for you when choosing! White gold can also come in various other colours too, such as yellow and rose gold. There is an option to suit anyone!

Durable

Gold is already an extremely durable metal and when alloyed with palladium or nickel to create white gold and finished with a rhodium finish, it leaves white gold extremely durable.

Cost Effective

White gold is a more cost-effective option than other metals with shiny white finishes like platinum. You can get low-cost white gold jewellery and high-cost white gold jewellery - it all depends on your budget and personal preference. At Miltons Diamonds, we also offer second-hand white gold jewellery. You can get your white gold for a fraction of the price - why not take a look at our pre-loved selection? We stock only the highest quality and best condition white gold jewellery, and it has been restored and looks as good as new.

How to Care for Your White Gold

White gold is quite a high-maintenance metal and needs re-plating with re-rhodium every 1-2 years to maintain its bright white shine. When taking it to a jeweller for a fresh re-rhodium plating, the jeweller will also be able to inspect the jewellery for any damages and repair them. They can also give your jewellery a deep clean so that it is easier for you to keep on top of between jewellery appointments. You should clean your jewellery every 3-4 weeks to prevent any build-up of natural oils and dirt. You should also make sure that when you are not wearing your jewellery, you store it in a cool dry place, not touching any other jewellery to prevent scratches. Remove your jewellery to swim, exercise or during any activity that may expose it to sweat or chlorine.

Looking for White Gold Jewellery?

Do you want to add some white gold to your collection? Here at Miltons Diamonds, we have a large selection of white gold pieces for you to choose from online and in our store. From necklaces to bracelets to rings, we have it all. We even have an excellent clean, polish and replating service available so that you can keep your jewellery looking its best for years to come. Our team of professional jewellers are on hand to help you throughout the whole buying process and we’re here to answer any questions you may have. Find the perfect give for a loved one (or yourself!) today at Miltons Diamonds.