White gold is a popular choice for engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry due to its elegant, silvery-white appearance. However, many people don’t realize that white gold doesn’t naturally have its bright, mirror-like finish—it gets its signature luster from rhodium plating. In this post, we’ll explain what white gold is, why it needs rhodium plating, how long the plating lasts, and how often you should have it redone. 

What Is White Gold?

White gold is an alloy made by mixing yellow gold with white metals such as nickel, palladium, or silver. Since pure gold (24K) is naturally yellow, these additional metals help create a paler hue. However, even after mixing, white gold still has a slight yellowish tint, which is why it is typically coated with rhodium to enhance its bright, silvery-white appearance.

What Is Rhodium Plating?

Rhodium is a rare, highly reflective, and durable metal from the platinum family. When white gold jewelry is rhodium-plated, a thin layer of rhodium is applied to the surface to:

✔ Give the jewelry its bright, silvery-white color
✔ Enhance durability and scratch resistance
✔ Provide hypoallergenic benefits (especially for those sensitive to nickel)

Without rhodium plating, white gold would appear slightly yellow or grayish, rather than the crisp white tone that many people love.

How Long Does Rhodium Plating Last?

Rhodium plating is long-lasting but not permanent. Over time, daily wear, friction, and exposure to lotions, soaps, and household chemicals can cause the rhodium layer to wear off, especially on rings.

On average, rhodium plating lasts between 6 months to 2 years, depending on:

• How often the jewelry is worn (rings wear down faster than necklaces or earrings)
• Exposure to chemicals (chlorine, perfumes, and cleaning agents accelerate fading)
• Personal habits (frequent handwashing, gym workouts, or manual work can cause quicker wear)

How Often Should You Get Rhodium Plating Done?

To keep your white gold jewelry looking its best, we recommend rhodium re-plating every 12 to 18 months, or sooner if you notice a yellowish tint developing.

At Johnsen Diamond, we offer professional rhodium plating services to restore your white gold jewelry’s brilliance. Our expert jewelers carefully clean, polish, and reapply rhodium plating, ensuring your piece looks brand new.

Keep Your White Gold Jewelry Looking Its Best!

If your white gold ring or jewelry has started to lose its bright white shine, bring it to Johnsen Diamond for expert rhodium plating. Our team will restore its beauty, ensuring it remains as stunning as the day you got it.

Visit our showroom in Little Silver or contact us today to schedule your rhodium plating service!