Sterling Silver Ring Sets: White Gold Plating & Durability

Question
I am getting ready to travel alot and have been looking for the perfect ring set to replace my real diamonds while on the road. The ring set that I found that i love the most is set in sterling silver. I really wanted white gold. would it make much of a diference if i had it dipped in white gold and is it possible? I just don't want my finger turning green while out on business.

Answer
Hi Paula,

You have a couple of options.

You can't have the setting plated in white gold as gold by nature is yellow.  White gold is created by making an alloy of gold (58% gold for 14kt)copper, zinc and nickel.  As this still leaves a yellow tint to the metal, most, if not all white gold is plated with Rhodium, making it bright white.  Rhodium plate on white gold will wear off in time, as all plated metals do, leaving you with a less than white piece of jewelry.  

The good news is that sterling silver can also be plated with Rhodium.  This will eventually wear off requiring re-plating and can get expensive.

The best news is that sterling silver is a bright white metal and can be polished easily.  A simple silver cleaning cloth will keep it looking better than any white gold.  As far as tarnish, that will depend upon the ph/acid balance of your skin and the silver itself.  True sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.  Sterling silver should contain no nickel and therefore allergic reactions and green marks are unlikely.  

A few extra precautions:
I sell all my sterling pieces with small anti-tarnish bags.  Storing the jewelry in these bags in a jewelry box keeps them white for at least 2 years.  Additionally, I have been wearing a solid sterling band for 3 years, never take it off, and have never had a mark on my finger from it.  If you are still worried, you can purchase a clear liquid that you put on your silver jewelry to prevent tarnish.  The real truth is, you will get the same effect by putting clear nail polish on it.  I would suggest only doing this to the inside of the ring that touches your skin.  You will need to re-apply every so often, but it will prevent any discoloration of your skin or the ring.

My advice:
Buy that sterling ring set that you love and wear it with pride and enjoy it.

Lisa