Contact Us to Get the Best Price on an Engagement Ring!

What is White Gold?

Recently we published an article detailing one of the Engagement Market’s newest old trends, Rose Gold (read our review here!). While Rose Gold might be foreign to some, it’s safe to assume that people are reasonably familiar with Yellow Gold and White Gold. Yet, while we all know that White Gold is a thing that exists and an appealing option when choosing your jewelry, do we know how it’s made? Do we know how it differentiates itself from Yellow Gold and the pros and cons beyond that of its Color?

Well, we’re here to fill you in so you can have a greater appreciation for this magnificent alloy!

All Gold is a Blend

If you’ve read our articles, you’ll know we’ve detailed how Gold is blended before, but if this is your first foray, recognize that Gold is simply not Gold. It is either 18 karat, 14 karat, 10 karat Gold, or some combination. What does this mean? Pure Gold is comprised of 24 karat Gold. Thus, 18K Gold is made up of 75% pure Gold (18/24=75% <--- Yeah, Math!). The rest is a mixture of Copper and Silver. Subsequently, 14K Gold is made up of 58% pure Gold. The karat is simply a percentage of the amount of pure Gold compared to 24K Gold, with the remaining amounts of Copper and Silver added to increase the structural strength of the alloy, making it suitable to be used as jewelry. Unfortunately, pure Gold is simply too soft and malleable to be used on its own, which is why additional materials need to be blended in.

Yellow Gold can be comprised as follows:

18K Yellow Gold: 75% Gold, 12.5% Copper, 12.5% Silver
18K Yellow Gold: 75% Gold, 15% Copper, 10% Silver

Blending White Gold

Unlike Yellow Gold and Rose Gold, which use a standardized set of metals to achieve their desired colors, White Gold has slightly more variability. To obtain the proposed white color, the alloy can use several different metals. Almost any white metal can be blended, but Nickel, Silver, or Palladium are the most common. These metals are then combined with Yellow Gold and sometimes Copper depending on the desired malleability.

This beautiful Split Shank setting from James Allen really exemplifies the elegance of White Gold. There’s a refinement intricately found in White Gold that makes the material feel aged and substantial. See it for yourself here.

Rhodium Plating

Even with the addition of white metals to the Gold alloy, it tends not to achieve a color that most consumers would consider “White.” The color of the alloy will be light yellow or very light pink. This is again depending on the particular proportions of the mixture. The final step when creating White Gold is to plate it in a thin layer of Rhodium. Rhodium is silvery-white in color, resists corrosion, and is hypoallergenic. Thus, a final light coat of Rhodium will give the White Gold its desired hue.

The downside to Rhodium plating is that it will wear off. How quickly? That depends on the wearer’s skin and its natural acidity. But, a fair ballpark is about 3-years. No need to worry though, Rhodium can easily be replated on any piece of jewelry for a nominal amount.

A Word on Nickel Allergies

As we detailed above, White Gold can utilize Nickel as one of its whitening metals. Unfortunately, Nickel Dermatitis is a rash that can affect a large percentage of the population. While many White Gold formulations have shied away from Nickel, for this reason, it is still commonly found. Fortunately, the Rhodium plating on the White Gold will shield the wearer from being directly exposed to the Nickel. However, as the plating wears off, you may begin to develop a rash. If that is the case, simply have the jewelry replated, and you should be fine.

This 18K White Gold setting from Blue Nile comes in at only $450, showing that truly high quality and stunning setting can be had for a very affordable price. See it for yourself here.

LOOKING FOR AN ENGAGEMENT RING?

Let us help you navigate the 4-C's and all the nuances that make buying an engagement ring daunting. Love the look of Platinum but looking to save some money? Then the White Gold we have detailed above may be your choice of metal. Contact Us, and we'll provide you with one-on-one help so you can save money and get a stunning engagement ring she'll love. Check our thorough listing of current coupons and promotions from our preferred vendors, such as Blue Nile and James Allen.