If you've noticed your white gold jewellery looking slightly warmer or less brilliant than when it was new, you're not imagining it. Over time, the bright white finish that gives white gold its signature sparkle naturally begins to wear away through everyday wear.
The good news is that this is completely normal and can easily be restored with professional rhodium plating.
Whether you're wondering why white gold needs rhodium plating, how long it lasts or how to care for your jewellery, this guide explains everything you need to know to keep your treasured pieces looking their best.
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Despite its name, white gold isn't naturally bright white. It's created by combining pure 24ct yellow gold with naturally white metals, producing a subtle warm grey or slightly yellow hue.
To achieve the crisp, reflective finish most people associate with white gold, the jeweller will apply a fine coating of rhodium, one of the world's rarest precious metals. This process, known as rhodium plating, gives white gold jewellery its bright white appearance and enhances its shine.
However, because rhodium is a surface coating, it naturally wears away over time. Rings, particularly engagement rings and wedding bands, are exposed to constant contact with hands, hard surfaces and everyday activities, meaning the coating gradually becomes thinner with regular wear.
As this happens, the natural colour of the white gold underneath begins to show through. This doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your jewellery. It's simply a sign that it's ready to have its brilliant finish reapplied.
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Professional rhodium plating restores the bright white appearance your jewellery had when it was new, bringing back its beautiful lustre and mirror-like finish.
It also does more than improve appearance. Rhodium provides a protective barrier over the softer gold beneath, helping to minimise everyday surface scratches and wear.
How often your jewellery requires replating depends on how frequently it's worn and your lifestyle. Engagement rings and wedding bands typically need attention more often than earrings or pendants, while exposure to chemicals, hard surfaces and abrasive activities can cause the rhodium coating to wear more quickly.
Rather than waiting until your jewellery has noticeably dulled, we recommend bringing your white gold jewellery into one of our boutiques for an annual inspection. Our experienced jewellers can assess the condition of the rhodium plating and recommend when it's time to restore the finish.
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Although rhodium plating is highly durable, a little extra care can help extend the life of the finish.
Removing your white gold jewellery before going to the gym, playing contact sports, swimming in chlorinated pools or spas, cleaning with household chemicals, gardening or carrying out activities that may scratch the surface can all help reduce unnecessary wear. Storing your jewellery safely when it's not being worn, along with regular professional cleaning and inspections, will also help maintain its brilliance between rhodium plating services.
If your jewellery features diamonds or coloured gemstones, you can feel confident knowing the rhodium plating process is completely safe. The coating is bonded only to the gold using an electrical current, while diamonds and gemstones are unaffected because they do not conduct electricity.
Before any plating takes place, our experienced jewellers also inspect your jewellery to ensure claws, settings and gemstones are secure, giving you complete peace of mind while your treasured piece is in our care.
Rhodium is also naturally hypoallergenic, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin. The plating creates a protective barrier between your skin and the underlying metal, providing both comfort and lasting brilliance.
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When you bring your jewellery into a Gerard McCabe boutique, our experienced team will carefully assess the piece for general wear, inspect gemstone settings and determine whether any additional maintenance is required before rhodium plating begins.
Every piece of jewellery is unique, so turnaround times are advised individually at the time of quoting. If you're preparing for a wedding, special event or celebration, we recommend allowing approximately two weeks for your jewellery to be completed.
More intricate ring designs and other jewellery types are individually assessed, with a personalised quotation provided before any work is undertaken. Every white gold ring is carefully prepared and double coated by our master jewellers to achieve a beautiful, long-lasting finish.
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White gold jewellery is designed to be loved and worn for a lifetime, and some signs of wear are simply part of its story. Rhodium plating is one of the simplest and most effective ways to restore its brilliant white finish while helping to protect the precious metal beneath.
Whether it's your engagement ring, wedding band or a treasured family heirloom, regular maintenance will keep your jewellery looking as beautiful as the day you first fell in love with it.
If your white gold jewellery has started to lose its sparkle, visit your nearest Gerard McCabe boutique for a professional assessment. Our experienced team can inspect your piece, recommend any maintenance that may be required and restore its brilliance with expert rhodium plating.