What Is White Gold & Can I Be Allergic To It?
Image Source: https://imagesjewelers.com
Not long ago, I was at an event when someone came up to me with a concern about her wedding ring. She’d been wearing it for years with no problem—until it was resized. Suddenly, she was getting painful sores right where the ring sat on her finger. Her question? Could I help her find a replacement that wouldn’t cause a reaction.
The culprit? White gold.
She’d gone back to the jeweller, who told her it couldn’t be an allergy to white gold. But as someone who’s no stranger to metal sensitivities, I had a pretty good idea of what was going on.
Image Source: www.jodiegearing.com
A few questions later, and bingo—I figured it out. When the jeweller resized the ring, they skipped a crucial step: reapplying the rhodium plating. That meant her skin was now coming into direct contact with the actual white gold underneath.
So, what’s the big deal with white gold?
Well, white gold isn’t pure gold. It’s an alloy, which means it’s made by blending gold with other metals like nickel, palladium, or zinc. These added metals help give it that silvery, platinum-like shine that so many people love—and also, unfortunately, make it more likely to cause allergic reactions. (Nickel, I’m looking at you.)
Image Source: https://diamondbuzz.blog
Rhodium & The Plating Problem
To make white gold look even brighter—and to create a protective barrier between your skin and the alloy—it’s usually plated in rhodium. Rhodium is a super shiny, silver-toned metal that’s part of the platinum family. It doesn’t tarnish or corrode, it’s tough as nails, and it looks gorgeous. It also happens to be about 4 to 5 times more expensive than gold.
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But here’s the catch: rhodium on its own is incredibly brittle, so you can’t make jewellery out of it. Instead, it’s used as a finishing layer—like a sparkly suit of armour over your ring. When that layer wears off or is never reapplied (as in this case), you’re left with direct exposure to the alloy underneath. And for some people, that’s a recipe for irritation.
White Gold Wedding Ring Irritation/Image Source: yoronaturals.com
That’s also why I personally avoid white gold. If you’ve got metal sensitivities, it’s worth keeping in mind what’s going on beneath that shiny surface.
The jewellery I make is not plated, so if you need rhodium plating, please let me know!
Check out this white gold (not plated) Earth Stargate pendant to see its natural beauty.
Here are some things to consider:
Pros
- White gold will not tarnish like silver, so ideal for someone who is prone to tarnishing jewellery
- White gold has a beautiful colour that can complement gemstones and other metals, and looks great married with yellow and pink gold
- White gold is cheaper than platinum.
Cons
- White gold commonly contains nickel, which can cause some people to have allergic reactions, like me!
- White gold requires more maintenance to keep it from becoming dull.
Thanks for reading,
