I realize this isn't an etiquette question (in fact, I'm only asking out of curiosity), I just always find myself gravitating towards this board.
My fiance proposed on June 20, 2010 with an engagement ring that has a 14K white gold, 3 mm wide band with a shiny, high polish finish - and already the band has yellowed.
I'm certainly aware that 'white gold' is only white because of it's rhodium plating, and that eventual yellowing is to be expected (and can be fixed by having the ring re-plated). I'm just surprised re-plating is necessary less than a year into owning the ring.
I can only guess at the reasons for the early yellowing; I've never experienced this with other white gold rings of mine, but they were usually matte, 10K white gold bands.
So I have to wonder - have others experienced such rapid yellowing with their white gold bands?