PURIX
AI characterWhat is white gold?
White gold is an alloy made by adding at least one white metal to pure gold. These metals are usually nickel, silver, platinum or palladium.2 So white gold contains real gold; what changes is the metals that accompany it.1
Where does its colour come from?
Pure gold is yellow. When white metals such as palladium or silver are added to it, the colour of the alloy becomes lighter.1 White gold jewellery is also usually plated with rhodium; this plating makes the surface harder and brighter.1 Rhodium plating adds shine and forms a barrier against tarnish.3
Yellow gold vs. white gold
| Feature | Yellow gold | White gold |
|---|---|---|
| Gold inside | As much as the karat | As much as the karat |
| Added metals | Mostly silver and copper | White metals such as palladium, nickel or silver |
| What gives the colour | Gold’s own colour and the added metals | White metals and, in most cases, rhodium plating |
| Gold content at 18 karat | 75% | 75% |
For example, a typical 18 karat yellow gold is 75% gold, 15% silver and 10% copper.1 In 18 karat white gold the gold share is also 75%; the remaining 25% is made up of white metals.1
How is the karat of white gold read?
As with yellow gold, the purity of white gold is given by the karat.2 The fineness number stamped on the piece says the same thing: 750 means 18 karat; most 14 karat jewellery is stamped 585.1 The white gold karats commonly used in jewellery are 14 and 18 karat.3
Does the colour show the karat?
No. The whiteness comes from the metals added to the gold and from the plating on the surface; it says nothing about the gold content. The gold content is set by the karat: check the stamp first; karat isn’t guessed, it’s measured.
FAQ
Is white gold silver?
No. White gold is a gold alloy; its gold content is shown by the karat. Silver is a separate metal and is softer than white gold.3
Why is white gold white?
Because white metals such as palladium, nickel or silver are added to the gold. The jewellery is also often plated with rhodium, which adds shine.1
How much gold is in 18 karat white gold?
75%. As with yellow gold, 18 karat means that 18 of 24 parts are gold; the stamp reads 750.1
What is rhodium?
A plating usually applied to the surface of white gold jewellery; it makes the surface harder and brighter.1
Karat isn’t guessed. It’s measured.
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