Preserving White Gold Engagement Rings

Engagement rings are amongst our most treasured possessions and are often the most valuable piece of jewellery we’ll ever own. Engagement rings are also the most often-worn of our jewellery and thus can sometimes be subjected to harsh treatment.

Whilst all types of engagement rings should be regularly checked and maintained, the upkeep of white gold engagement rings needs particular consideration. A versatile and elegant metal, it is more scratch resistant than platinum but can still attract problems. It is the rhodium on ‘white gold’ that gives the gold its white colour, but over three to five years, depending on how active you are, the rhodium plating begins to wear off and as a result white gold engagement rings may gain an unattractive yellowish tinge. When this occurs, rings need to be re-plated, but thankfully this is generally not expensive.

In order for this not to become too much of a regular occurrence, you can clean your white gold engagement ring quite easily at home. The simplest way is to soak your ring in a solution of equal parts ammonia and water for 10-20 minutes in a bowl. This loosens any dirt and grime. Don’t use a sink, just in case your ring makes a bid for the drains. After this soaking, you should use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub off any remaining dirt in the crevices, before rinsing it with warm water and drying it with a soft towel.

Other preventive measures that can be used for all types of rings and not just white gold engagement rings include storing your ring away from other jewellery. This both protects your ring and prevents other jewellery from being scratched by any of the stone’s hard edges. It is also suggested that you get into the habit of removing your ring before you shower, apply make-up or hand cream, or prepare food, in order to keep your engagement ring looking cleaner for longer. In particular, take extra care when it comes to chemicals such as cleaning products, hairspray, furniture polish and bleach.

It is easy to forget about these little things, especially considering that most women wear their engagement rings all day, every day. However, you should remember that the upkeep of your beautiful engagement ring is not only important from an aesthetic point of view but also because your engagement ring is a valuable investment.

Frederick Holm is staff writer for of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. Whether you want white gold engagement rings a princess cut diamond or an engraved band, we have ideas and opinions covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.