What Is Rhodium Plating? When Your White Gold Ring Needs It
If you own a white gold ring, the bright silver-white colour you see isn't the gold itself. It's a thin coating of rhodium, a platinum-group metal that's applied over the gold to give it that clean, cool-white appearance. The gold underneath is actually a pale greyish-yellow, because white gold is still gold alloyed with white metals like palladium, nickel, or silver. Without rhodium plating, white gold looks noticeably warmer than most people expect.
This is one of the most common questions we get at Vanhess: "Why is my white gold ring turning yellow?" It's not turning yellow. The rhodium plating is wearing off, and you're seeing the actual colour of the metal underneath.
What Is Rhodium, Exactly?
Rhodium is a precious metal in the platinum group. It's rarer than gold or platinum, extremely hard (about 6 on the Mohs scale as a coating), and naturally white. It's also hypoallergenic, which makes it useful as a plating for people who react to nickel in white gold alloys.
The plating process is electrochemical. The ring is cleaned, then dipped in a rhodium solution while an electric current deposits a thin layer of rhodium onto the surface. The layer is typically 0.75 to 1.0 microns thick. For context, a human hair is about 70 microns. It's thin, and that's why it wears off.
How Long Does Rhodium Plating Last?
On a ring worn daily: 1 to 3 years, depending on how hard you are on your hands. Office workers who type all day may see wear within 12 months on the inside of the band where it contacts the desk. People who work with their hands, wash dishes frequently, or use hand sanitizer heavily will see faster wear.
On earrings and pendants: 5+ years, because these pieces don't get the friction and chemical exposure that rings do.
The wear pattern is predictable. You'll see the warm undertone appear first on the inside of the band, then on the high points of the outer surface, then eventually across the whole ring. It's gradual, not sudden.
How Much Does Re-Plating Cost?
At Vanhess in Coquitlam, rhodium re-plating costs $60 to $120 CAD depending on the piece. A simple band is on the lower end. A ring with multiple stones that need to be protected during the process costs more. Turnaround is typically 1 to 3 days. Most jewellers charge in a similar range. It's a routine maintenance service, not a major repair.
Over a 10-year period, if you re-plate every 2 years, that's about $300 to $600 in maintenance. If you compare that to the cost of a platinum ring (which doesn't need plating but costs 40-60% more upfront), platinum often wins on total cost of ownership for daily-wear rings. We covered that comparison in our Platinum vs White Gold guide.
Can You Skip Rhodium Plating?
Yes. Some people actually prefer the natural colour of unplated white gold. It has a warm, champagne-like tone that's softer than the bright white of rhodium. It's a legitimate aesthetic choice, and it eliminates the maintenance cycle entirely.
If you're considering skipping rhodium, ask your jeweller to show you what unplated white gold looks like in the specific alloy they use. The colour varies depending on the alloy composition. Palladium-based white gold alloys tend to be whiter naturally than nickel-based ones.
Does Rhodium Plating Affect Resizing or Repair?
Yes. Any time a jeweller applies heat to your ring (for resizing, prong retipping, or soldering), the rhodium in that area will burn off and discolour. After any heat-based repair, you'll need a re-plate. At Vanhess, we include re-plating in the cost of any repair that involves heat on a white gold piece. Ask your jeweller whether re-plating is included or charged separately.
Rhodium on Other Metals
Rhodium plating isn't exclusive to white gold. Sterling silver pieces are sometimes rhodium-plated to prevent tarnishing. Yellow gold can be rhodium-plated to change its colour to white (though this is unusual and defeats the purpose of buying yellow gold). Costume jewellery often uses rhodium plating over base metals.
Key Takeaways
- White gold's bright white colour comes from rhodium plating, not from the gold itself. The underlying metal is a pale greyish-yellow.
- Rhodium plating on daily-wear rings lasts 1 to 3 years before showing wear. Re-plating costs $60 to $120 at most jewellers.
- You can choose to skip rhodium plating and wear white gold in its natural colour. It has a warm champagne tone that some people prefer.
- Any heat-based repair (resizing, prong work) will damage the rhodium coating and require re-plating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my white gold ring turning yellow?
Your ring isn't turning yellow. The rhodium plating that gives white gold its bright silver-white appearance is wearing off, revealing the natural colour of the white gold alloy underneath. At Vanhess Jewellery in Coquitlam, we re-plate white gold rings in 1 to 3 days for $60 to $120 depending on the piece.
How often should I get my white gold ring re-plated?
Most people re-plate every 1 to 3 years, depending on wear habits. If you wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, or work with your hands, you'll need it more often. There's no harm in letting the plating wear off if you don't mind the warmer colour.
Is rhodium plating safe for sensitive skin?
Yes. Rhodium is hypoallergenic. In fact, rhodium plating is often recommended for people with nickel allergies who want to wear white gold, because the rhodium layer prevents the nickel in the alloy from contacting the skin. When the plating wears off, the nickel may cause a reaction again, so re-plating on schedule is important for allergy sufferers.
Sources
Data sourced April 2026. Pricing reflects Vanhess in-store rates. If you spot something out of date, let us know.
Visit Vanhess
Need a re-plate? Bring your white gold ring to 2929 Barnet Highway, Unit 2424, Coquitlam BC. We do rhodium plating on site, usually same-week turnaround. No appointment needed for drop-offs. Call (604) 653-6449 or visit our repair service page.
