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Q4 Why is my white gold turning yellow? |
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A4. Gold in it's pure form, as we all know, is yellow. To make white gold, the pure gold is mixed (alloyed) with other metals, but the yellow will still show through a little. When you first purchase a white gold ring it will have been Rhodium-plated, which is a common practice and does not detract from the quality of the piece. But, it does wear off and needs to be done about once or twice a year. Over the last few years, metallurgists have come up with a new alloy, which combines the pure gold with Platinum and/or Palladium. These two metals are naturally extremely white and the resulting alloy, while containing the same amount of pure gold as the standard white gold alloys, will never turn yellow and does not require Rhodium plating. The polished metal has the look of platinum but is much harder and better wearing. This metal, that we in the trade call 18ct or 9ct "p.p." is the only white gold alloy I use and recommend.
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