White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium. White gold can be 18kt, 14kt, 9kt or any karat. For example, 18kt yellow gold is made by mixing 75% gold (750 parts per thousand) with 25% (250 parts per thousand) other metals such as copper and zinc. 18kt white gold is made by mixing 75% gold with 25% other metals such as silver and palladium. So the amount of gold is the same but the alloy is different.
Traditionally nickel was used in white gold, however, nickel is no longer used in most white gold made today as nickel can cause reactions with some people.
When white gold rings are new they are often coated with another white metal called Rhodium. Rhodium is a metal very similar to platinum and Rhodium shares many of the properties of platinum including its white color. The rhodium plating is used to make the white gold look more white. The natural color of white gold is actually a light grey color. The Rhodium is very white and very hard, but it does wear away eventually. To keep a white gold ring looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately each 12 to 18 months. Most local jewelers are able to rhodium plate jewelry for a cost effective price.
One common misperception that people have about white gold or pink gold for that matter is that this metal is found as it is: white gold. Not true. However, just because this metal is combined with other elements to make it appear white does not diminish the worth, value, elegance and class of white gold jewelry. White gold was created right after WWI; up until that time any jewelry that was the color white was made with pure platinum or of course, silver. There was a white jewelry craze during the late 1920’s and through out the 1930’s. The trend has continued to present times.
Many people are tired of wearing yellow gold; yellow gold can sometimes seem out of trend; that is where white gold steps in. Just as silver is very classy and elegant, white gold takes this one step higher. White gold jewelry is gold, which should be understood. The fact that it is white does not take away from its quality of being gold. As a matter of fact, yellow gold is also blended with other elements to make it the sparkling yellow color that we all think of as gold. Some people believe that gold is found in its pure form already sparkling and shiny; the perfect color: not so.
White gold is an alloy of pure gold. To make white gold, nickel or palladium is added to the pure gold. Nickel and palladium is what gives the gold its white color. Other elements are added to pure gold when creating yellow or pink gold.
White gold jewelry will vary and this is because of the amounts of other metals, like nickel and palladium, which is added to it. Also, different amounts will be added on purpose, depending on what the white gold will be used for. For example, nickel is a very hard and strong substance so it will be used to mix to the pure gold when making white gold jewelry rings. On the other hand, palladium is a softer metal; therefore it will be used more when one is creating settings for gems. No matter what type is made, a thin layer of rhodium will be coated on top of the white gold jewelry to give it a shiny coat. If you own a piece that appears to get dull after several years, a professional jeweler can put another coat of rhodium on it.
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