When we think of gold we imagine a rich, golden-yellow coloured precious metal that is one of humanity’s most sought-after and valuable substances. But, you may have also heard of another popular precious metal called white gold, and be wondering what it is! White gold is actually not a metal that can be mined, it doesn’t exist in nature, it is created by human hands!
White gold is an alloy of real gold, meaning it is a mixture of two or more metals, in this case a blend of pure yellow gold with other precious metals like palladium, platinum, or silver added to it. The results are a gorgeous silvery gold that has all of that metal’s opulence and beauty in a shining white colour that is a perfect match for diamonds, making the white gold engagement ring one of the most popular options for young couples to invest in!
Let’s take a closer look at this modern metallic alchemy!
The alloy metals used in white gold jewellery are chosen for two reasons. the first is that they lend white gold its silvery-white colour. White gold is made from a base of pure yellow gold and in order to change its colour from yellow to white small amounts of white-coloured precious metals like platinum, palladium, and silver are mixed in. The second reason for these alloys being added is that they contribute to white gold’s durability. Pure gold is a very soft metal that can easily bend out of shape when on its own, which is why gold jewellery always contains some amount of alloy no matter what colour the finished product may be.
In addition to the alloys used in its molten mix, white gold jewellery is also coated in rhodium, yet another precious metal. This is done because the white gold alloy created from pure gold and those other metals still retain a slightly yellow sheen, it isn’t a pure silvery-white! Rhodium belongs to the same family of metals as platinum does and is naturally a gleaming, pure white colour. The rhodium adds a lustrous white surface to the white gold jewellery, and because it is a very hard metal, it can defend the softer alloy beneath it from suffering dents and scratches.
Despite its durability, over time the rhodium coating on white gold jewellery becomes worn, and reveals the pale yellow gold colour underneath it. This is perfectly normal and it happens eventually to all white gold jewellery, when it happens depends on a number of factors like the pH level of your skin and the soaps or creams your jewellery comes into contact with on a daily basis.
Fortunately, it is an issue that can be easily resolved, your jeweller can simply re-coat the jewellery with more rhodium! Re-coating a jewellery item incurs only a small cost and makes your white gold piece look as good as new!
Some people wonder if white gold is real gold, and the answer is yes because its base material is pure gold. So, if you want a bright look that’s pure and shining, white gold is the answer.
