White gold is a hugely favoured choice of metal when it comes to jewellery, particularly those extra-special wedding and engagement rings. White gold is made up of pure yellow gold, mixed with alloy metals like palladium that give it the off-white silver colour. Gold in its pure form is a very soft metal, therefore it is mixed with harder metals to ensure it is strong and keeps its shape. As well as the alloys that are mixed with pure gold, white gold is coated with rhodium to add even more strength. A rhodium coating is also responsible for the glossy sheen that protects the metal. Have no fear though, this mixing of metals does not take away from the value of white gold as “real gold”. All white gold jewellery that weighs over 1 gram is hallmarked certifying it contains the exact amount of pure gold stated. This small hallmark symbol can be found stamped on the inside of your jewellery.

The usual question when talking about white gold is how much is it worth, and how does it hold up against yellow gold? White gold can indeed hold up the same price value as yellow gold, depending on the pure gold content a particular piece of jewellery contains. To find out the worth of your white gold, you must first know the number of karats it contains. Pure gold is made up of 24 karats, this is lessened when mixed with other metals, as with the process of creating white gold. The number of karats that make up a piece of white gold jewellery appears on the hallmark mentioned earlier, as a tiny number. White gold typically ranges between 8-18 karat.

Our jewellery is so precious to us and we all want to keep it looking as beautiful as the day we purchased it. A potential disadvantage of white gold is that over time and with regular wear it can fade to a yellowish tint. The rhodium coating that plates the pure yellow gold and alloys is extremely thin, so it does mean that well-loved pieces can lose their whitish sheen. There are, however, steps you can take to rectify this. For older pieces with heavy wear, a simple recoating can be done easily and relatively inexpensively. For newer jewellery and future purchases, some simple care practices can ensure that your white gold jewellery stays in pristine shape and, importantly, retains as much of its original value as possible.

How To Clean White Gold Engagement Rings And White Gold Wedding Rings?

Perhaps some of the most precious pieces of jewellery a person could ever own, we want to take care of our white gold engagement rings and white gold wedding rings and ensure they retain their beauty to last a lifetime. Due to the composition of white gold, it is important to focus not only on cleaning but also on preserving the rhodium plating. You can buy commercial cleaning products to clean your white gold jewellery, but a gentler at-home method would be to mix mild soap and water.

Let the rings soak and then wipe gently with a soft cloth to remove dirt. Make sure to rinse the rings in lukewarm water to remove any leftover soap residue and dry with a towel. Avoid using products like toothpaste or chlorine to clean your white gold with, as they can permanently damage and discolour jewellery.

How To Clean White Gold Diamond Rings?

When cleaning white gold diamond rings, use the above water and soap method to keep them in top condition. You can add the additional step of cleaning the diamond with a very soft brush.

For cleaning white gold earrings, also soak them in soap and water and wipe them dry. Try to remember to remove any earrings when showering or washing your hair, as shampoo and body washes can leave a film on the earrings, dulling the colour. It is also best practice to always swab your earring hooks with alcohol before putting on a new pair.

How To Clean White Gold Pendants &Amp; Necklaces?

White gold pendants and necklaces can be damaged by exposure to the ingredients in the fragrances we use, as we tend to spray scent onto our neck and chest. These chemicals can damage the finish of precious metals. Apply all spray products before putting on your jewellery to keep them in the best condition. Clean gently with soap and water once a month to keep your necklaces and pendants shining.

How To Clean White Gold Bracelets?

Much like our necks and chest, we also tend to put fragrance on our wrists, avoid this when wearing white gold bracelets. Be cautious when doing heavy, hands-on activity as white gold can scratch and dent. Once again, use the soap and water method every month to clean away dirt buildup.