Pros & Cons: White Gold Wedding and Engagement Rings (2024)

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Author Cristina LaPenna

Date Feb 15, 2021

Pros & Cons: White Gold Wedding and Engagement Rings (43)

White gold is one of the most popular metal choices for wedding bands for both men and women. While these bands are gorgeous, come in thousands of styles, and are often one of the less expensive options for metals for your wedding bands, there are also some other less well known ways in which white gold may not be the right metal for you.

Before you tie the knot, make sure you know the pros and cons of choosing white gold for your wedding bands and engagement ring:

Pros:

1. Beautiful Looking Precious Metal

White gold is the most popular metal for wedding and engagement rings because white gold is simply gorgeous and provides a timeless look for any style setting. The white color will always amplify the look of your diamond engagement ring, and both men and women love how the neutral color matches everything.

2. Less Expensive Than Platinum

Many people choose white gold over the similar looking precious metal platinum due to cost. White gold will costs less than platinum partly because 2,7000 tons of gold are mined per year compared to 80 tons of platinum, making platinum 30% more rare. In addition, platinum is much denser, purer and heavier than a gold alloy mixture. So a plain, white gold wedding band will be less expensive than the same band in platinum, but is still a great purchase because it is a classic precious metal.

3. A Wider Selection of Rings In White Gold Are Available

Because white gold is less expensive than platinum and is one of the most popular metal choices for wedding bands, there can be a slightly wider selection of styles of rings in white gold available compared to other metals, like rose or yellow gold. This way you have thousands of styles to choose from through practically every designer and vendor. The sky is the limit with white gold!

Cons:

1. White Gold Is Less Durable Because It Is A Softer Metal

White gold, compared to platinum which has a similar white hue, is less durable than its counterpart because it is actually a softer metal. Every time gold is scratched, a little sliver of the gold falls off and is lost. This is what causes visible scratches on your wedding bands. To avoid this, you might want to consider platinum for your wedding band which actually hardens over time and creates a more durable patina finish.

2. Your Ring Will Turn Yellow Over Time

Surprise - white gold is not actually white! White gold is made by combining gold, which is naturally yellow, with other alloys that create that white color that you love. Over time, your wedding band will start to turn a faint yellow through everyday wear. If you wear your wedding band 24/7, your beautiful white ring may start changing color as soon as 12 months after first wearing it. Definitely something to think about, especially if seeing your ring changing colors will bother you.

3. Needs To Be Rhodium Plated Periodically

To keep your white gold wedding band that white color, you will need to have your wedding band rhodium plated right when it starts noticeably fading to yellow. Rhodium plating sometimes needs to be done once every six to twelve months, which definitely starts adding up after a few years. While some people don't see a problem with this, others, especially those who are hard on their hands, may find this extremely inconvenient. If you want to avoid this all together, a great alternative is platinum which doesn't change color over time and will never need to be rhodium plated.

4. White Gold Is Not Hypoallergenic

Many people are allergic to the alloys used to create white gold. White gold, as mentioned above, is not pure gold, but is created by mixing the natural gold (which is yellow) with other white metals, like silver, palladium, nickel or zinc. Some of these alloys could easily irritate your skin if you have a sensitivity to those metals. If you know that you have any of these allergies, then you may want to pick platinum for your wedding band, which is a hypoallergenic metal.

Getting ready to tie the knot but still need your wedding bands? Contact us or make an appointment and one of our specialists will be more than happy to help you find the perfect wedding rings!

Pros & Cons: White Gold Wedding and Engagement Rings (44)

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Pros & Cons: White Gold Wedding and Engagement Rings (2024)

FAQs

Pros & Cons: White Gold Wedding and Engagement Rings? ›

White gold jewellery can become scratched, especially when worn on a daily basis. White gold's rhodium plating will wear away over time. You'll need to have it re-plated (called rhodium plating) to keep its 'white' colour however, this is a simple process.

View Details
What are the disadvantages of white gold rings? ›

White gold jewellery can become scratched, especially when worn on a daily basis. White gold's rhodium plating will wear away over time. You'll need to have it re-plated (called rhodium plating) to keep its 'white' colour however, this is a simple process.

Keep Reading
Which is better for wedding ring gold or white gold? ›

Also, white gold is slightly stronger than yellow gold, making it more durable. When using yellow gold, you also may be able to reduce your diamond's color by a grade or two and still have a diamond that looks quite white.

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What not to do with white gold? ›

Don't swim while wearing white gold as the chemicals in the water (chlorine) can react with the plating. Remove white gold items when bathing and sleeping. Keep your white gold away from other metals. For example don't wear a yellow gold ring next to a white gold ring, as the plating may rub off quicker.

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Is white gold or platinum better for prongs? ›

Platinum is less malleable than white gold which makes it ideal for setting diamonds. It's extremely difficult to bend and perfect for fine details and dainty prongs.

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Why shouldn't you choose a white gold engagement ring? ›

The trouble is, that plating doesn't last, meaning a white gold ring requires a lot of upkeep. "Over time, the plating wears away and you have to take a white gold ring back to have it replated," Piriankov said. "It's an ongoing thing you have to be aware of."

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Is white gold bad for a wedding ring? ›

White Gold Is Less Durable Because It Is A Softer Metal

This is what causes visible scratches on your wedding bands. To avoid this, you might want to consider platinum for your wedding band which actually hardens over time and creates a more durable patina finish.

Keep Reading
Can I change my white gold wedding ring to yellow gold? ›

Yes, you can convert white gold into yellow gold! However, it's essential to understand the process and consider if it's the most practical and economical choice for you. The conversion involves a process called gold plating, but it may alter the jewelry piece's overall value.

Read On
How long do white gold rings last? ›

White gold engagement rings need to be maintained by occasionally re-plating the ring in rhodium. The process of re-plating over the years can become costly and time consuming. Typically, a white gold engagement ring would need to be re-plated every 2-3 years, as an engagement ring is worn almost every day.

Continue Reading
Why does white gold turn yellow? ›

When you see a yellow sheen on your white gold jewelry, it is not the result of oxidation or another chemical reaction, meaning the metal does not actually change color. The outer layer of rhodium slowly wears away over time, eventually revealing the creamy-yellow color of un-plated white gold.

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Does soap ruin white gold? ›

A few drops of mild soap (without chlorine or harsh chemicals) and water can be used to create a solution. The ring should be soaked in soapy water for 30 minutes. Use a soft microfiber towel to gently remove any lingering dirt or smudges from the ring.

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Is white gold OK to shower with? ›

Wearing solid gold jewelry, white gold or yellow gold, in the shower will not harm the metal itself, however it can reduce the shine therefore it is not recommended. Showering with gold plated jewelry can eventually cause the gold layer to wear off completely, therefore you should definitely refrain from doing so.

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What damages white gold? ›

(Nearly all gold jewelry is alloyed, because pure gold is too soft on its own.) One study showed that when a 14K white gold ring was placed in common household bleach for 36 hours, the ring completely disintegrated! Small amounts of chlorine exist in tap water, too.

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Why choose platinum over white gold? ›

Platinum is easier to maintain over time than white gold. Platinum is also the most hypoallergenic of all metals, because of its purity. Platinum is made of 95% pure platinum, where white gold is made out of 75% pure gold, and 25% other metals.

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How often does white gold need to be replated? ›

Rhodium plating wears off over time and will need to be re-applied through the life of a white gold piece. Typically, an A.G ring needs to be re-plated once every 12 to 18 months, however this can vary depending on how the ring is worn and what the wearer does.

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What is the price difference between white gold and platinum? ›

The purity level is one of the main reasons for the price difference between platinum and white gold. Platinum is usually $500 to $800 more than white gold for the average ring because there is more pure platinum being used in the ring. It's also 66% heavier than 14k white gold due to its higher density.

View Details
How long does white gold last on a ring? ›

White gold engagement rings need to be maintained by occasionally re-plating the ring in rhodium. The process of re-plating over the years can become costly and time consuming. Typically, a white gold engagement ring would need to be re-plated every 2-3 years, as an engagement ring is worn almost every day.

Learn More Now
Do all white gold rings turn yellow? ›

The first thing to do is ask your jeweler what kind of alloy they use for their white gold. If it's a silver-based alloy, your jewelry will likely turn yellow over time. If it's a nickel-based alloy, be aware it may trigger allergies. If it's a palladium-based alloy, your white gold is unlikely to turn yellow.

Find Out More
Is it okay to shower with a white gold ring? ›

Wearing solid gold jewelry, white gold or yellow gold, in the shower will not harm the metal itself, however it can reduce the shine therefore it is not recommended. Showering with gold plated jewelry can eventually cause the gold layer to wear off completely, therefore you should definitely refrain from doing so.

Learn More Now
Can you wear white gold rings everyday? ›

Keep white gold away from other metals, or the plating may rub off. Clean white gold rings regularly with jewelry cleaner. Take off white gold rings when sleeping or bathing. Don't wear white gold rings daily.

Continue Reading
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