White gold, what’s the point?

[Huromjuicemaker]

it’s pretty much indistinguishable from steel or silver so why pay for it in jewelry and watches?

Disagree, that's just a blanket statement it totally depends on the style of jewellery itself

There must be different levels of quality of white gold though - I have been married (thinks) 18 years, and have a white gold engagement ring with thin yellow bands either side. It hasn't needed re-plating yet.

I replaced my white gold jewellery with platinum after years of replating and allergy issues. Never wear yellow gold as the colour does not suit my skin tone.
With earrings though, I'm happily wearing silver as I am always dropping or losing them, so I see your point.
Same could be said for most things though. Why diamond and not fake?

@fuckmyuteruslining I worked in a jeweller's, proper white gold shouldn't need replating as long as it's looked after. I've had a white gold ring I wear most days and I've had since I was 21 and it hasn't changed colour.
Also unless you're wearing 24 carat (too soft) all Gold is an alloy.

Because it's stronger than silver and doesn't tarnish.

I feel the same about 9ct gold, it is cheap looking, the higher the carat the darker, which I really like. Sadly it clashes with Ginger hair, so I stick to silver, steel and (some) platinum.
I agree with the negatives about white gold, as in the need for plating, otherwise it's nice.

Yellow gold doesn't suit me, and all my other jewellery is silver. A silver engagement ring and wedding band would tarnish and isn't as hard wearing.

I think it depends on the quality. I've had my engagement ring 14 years and it's only now that it's looking like it could do with replating. Nobody else glancing at it would notice.

I would have liked platinum, but couldn't afford the same ring in platinum at the time.

@Sarvanga38 That's really interesting, I will have to look into that, thank you.

Much prefer it to yellow gold which I agree can look tacky.

I only wear white gold. It’s shinier and I find doesn’t erode like other metals and keeps its shine.

Surprised by replating white gold comments. I have white gold engagement and wedding ring for over 16 years, never replated and no sign of needing it. They were bought from a manufacturing jewellers

Not a fan of white gold
Everyone is wearing it just now. Out of the last 10 couples I know who have got engaged 10 of then have white gold rings.

Says who?
Yellow gold never needs replating unlike ‘white’ gold. It retains its colour, it doesn’t tarnish no matter how old it is or how it’s treated. Gold artefacts dug up from centuries ago are still as they were when new. They maybe a bit battered or bent but the gold never alters.
The higher the carat the softer it is, My 22ct yellow gold wedding ring is as lovely as it was the day it was put onto my finger, 45 years ago.

Or Palladium...

Have had my white gold engagement ring for 22 years, wedding ring for 20 and eternity ring for 4 - have never had any of them re-plated. They look the same as they always have.

Silver is softer and tarnishes more easily. White gold is a cheaper alternative to platinum.

Im a yellow gold person, it looks better against my (warmer) skin tone.

I had a platinum ring that was so soft it became misshapen. I chose white gold for my wedding ring for this reason. Its never needed replating and I wear it most days.

And not very nice imo
My wedding and engagement rings were white gold never needed replating,,sadly I had to.have them cut off last year as a burn on my finger got infected but I wore them for 17 years
Its a personal preference and I really don't like yellow.gold.

If you like the look of it, at least it doesn’t tarnish or rust. I like silver but tarnish is a PITA.

I don't like yellow gold personally as a colour so I will only wear white gold or silver. Just a preference.

18carat white gold that is not plated is a fantastic colour. The rhodium plating makes it look like a whiter metal, and I really dislike it.

Is platinum very expensive now? Sorry completely missing point of thread whilst I contemplate selling my platinum wedding and engagement rings that haven't fit on my fingers in 15 years...

I have a 25yr old white gold ring, engagement and wedding ring and they've never needed replating.

I find yellow gold tacky looking as well. Just personal preference innit?

Agree with other posters yellow gold looks chavvy and tacky as hell. 😬

Yellow looks cheap and nasty.