What is actually happening
Gold is yellow. To make white gold, it is alloyed with white metals, which gets it most of the way, then finished with a micro-thin layer of rhodium to make it properly bright white. Rhodium is hard but it is measured in microns, and it wears off with use.
It always goes first where the ring rubs — the back of the shank, the high points of the setting. The warm colour showing through is the gold that was always there.
Polishing will not fix it
There is nothing on the surface to remove. Polishing a worn ring just takes off more of what rhodium is left. What it needs is replating.
What we do
The piece is cleaned and polished first, because plating only looks as good as the surface underneath it — plate over scratches and you get shiny scratches. Then it is plated and finished.
How long it lasts
Depends entirely on wear. A ring worn daily on a working hand may want doing every year or so. A pendant may go many years. Hand cream, chlorine and gym work all shorten it.
Questions we get asked
Why has my white gold gone yellow?
The rhodium plating has worn through and the gold underneath is showing. Entirely normal.
Will polishing fix it?
No. There is nothing to polish off. It needs replating.
How long does replating last?
Anywhere from about a year on a daily-worn ring to several years on a pendant, depending on wear.
Do you polish it first?
Yes. Plating only looks as good as the surface under it.
Not sure we can fix it?
Send a couple of details and we will call you back. Or just walk in — it is quicker, and we can actually look at the piece.
Drop it off, shop the mall, wear it tonight
We are inside Orland Square Mall in Orland Park. Walk in during mall hours, no appointment. Most repairs are finished the same day and a good number while you wait.
Where we are
Julio's Jewelry, 800 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park, IL 60462 — inside Orland Square Mall. Mon–Thu 10am–8pm · Fri–Sat 10am–9pm · Sun 11am–6pm. We are also at North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 W Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546.