Go Shopping

White Gold

Some have called it a return to the classics, while others have seen it as a look to the future. Call it what you want, but the fact cannot be denied. The jewelry/fashion industry is turning to white gold. Compared to other precious metals, white gold has the greatest combination of durability and shine that compliments both diamonds and colored stones.

What’s the difference between 14k and 18k white gold jewelry?

Although the natural color of gold is yellow, when mixed with other metals, gold can take on different colors. For example, 14 Karat Gold contains 58.5% pure gold, while the other 41.5% is made up of other metals, such as alloy. Alloy is a metal that comes in yellow, red, green and white.

The same process is used for 18 Karat White Gold. However, in 18 Karat White Gold, 75% of the metal is pure gold, while the other 25% is made with white alloy and nickel.

What exactly is white gold?

To make 14 Karat White gold, gold is mixed with white alloy and nickel. The whiteness of nickel over powers the yellowness of gold giving it a white tint. The white gold is then rodiumed to give it a bright white glow. Rodium is a process that enhances the color and shine of any white metal.

The Biggest Problem With White Gold

Because the true color of gold is yellow, white gold does have the potential to fade to a yellow color. This fading can be accelerated by body chemistry or chemicals that are exposed to white gold jewelry, such as body creams, soaps and perfumes. However, white gold can always be polished and re-rodiumed to return it to its original condition.

Your body gives off acids, like perspiration, which can stain gold, eat away at the rodium finish and cause the white gold to look slightly yellow.

For example, A person that deals with a lot of chemicals such as a hair colorist & oral hygienist would have to rodium there jewelry quite often.

Rodium & Polishing. The rodium is an electric plating and can’t be applied by simple plating. Rodium needs to be applied on a polished smooth surface to create an even shine.

Platinum vs White Gold

Platinum is a true natural white metal. Platinum never loses its white color, is an advantage over white gold.

A disadvantage however platinum is extremely prone to scratch, causing it to lose its luster and shine relatively quickly. Platinum is also tends to be significantly more expensive than white gold.

Platinum is a heavier metal than white gold. Whether heavier jewelry is more appealing than lighter jewelry is a matter of personal opinion.

Platinum is also much harder metal to work with. Shaping and polishing takes three times as more time as to white gold. That is a another factor of why platinum is more expensive than white gold.

Titanium vs White Gold

Despite its high strength & tough durability, Titanium has a surprisingly light weight. This feature is very appealing to those who are uncomfortable wearing jewelry. However, Titanium lacks the luster of white gold. The metal has a dull, gray look. This makes it not as Appealing for fine jewelry.

Silver vs White Gold