Summary for white gold plating Discussion
White gold plating on a sterling silver ring is unlikely to achieve a true 14K white gold look or composition. In response to Kevin OBrien’s question, the answer explains that gold itself is yellow, and “white gold” is actually a gold alloy mixed with metals such as palladium or nickel. Because alloy plating is difficult, the ring is probably rhodium plated rather than white gold plated; rhodium is commonly used on sterling silver to slow tarnish. More rhodium could probably be added, but the responder says the purpose is unclear and cautions that you could never plate enough rhodium or gold onto sterling silver to make it even 9K, much less 14K. The reply also notes that the site is not a jeweler or plating shop and cannot provide a quote for making the band in 14K white gold.
RFQ: Hi ,
I found this ring that I really like. The only problem is that the base metal is sterling silver with white Gold plating somewhere between .5-1 microns of white gold.
Can I have more microns of white gold added to it, to get it as close to 14K White Gold.
If that’s not a good idea, could you give me a quote to make this band in 14K White Gold?
Thanks
Kevin
Kevin OBrien
– Metairie, Louisiana
May 16, 2025
privately respond to this RFQ
Ed. note: As always, gentle readers: technical replies in public and commercial replies in private please (huh? why?)
A. Hi Kevin.
Gold is yellow; there is no isotope of gold which is white. Rather, palladium or nickel and possibly small amounts of other metals are mixed/alloyed with yellow gold to produce a metal which is whitish. It is difficult to electrodeposit (plate with) alloys so I strongly doubt that the ring has white gold plating, it is probably rhodium plated.
Sterling silver quickly tarnishes, and the main reason to rhodium plate a sterling silver ring is to deter tarnish. More rhodium can probably by plated onto this ring but I’m not sure what the objective of doing that would be. You could never plate enough rhodium or gold onto a sterling ring to make it even 9 kt, let alone 14 kt (14 parts gold out of 24).
(You also e-mailed me privately for a quote, but we are only a website, not a jeweler or plating shop).
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
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