Gold jewelry is not only an expensive and desirable accessory, but also a profitable investment, because precious metals do not lose their value over time. The modern assortment of jewelry is huge, and on the shelves you can find jewelry of a wide variety of colors: red, pink, yellow, black and the most popular white. Why white gold is white, and what its color, value and quality depend on are important issues.
What is white gold
In its pure form, gold is yellow. However, in the jewelry industry, pure metal is not used due to its softness. Therefore, various additives from other metals (ligature) are added to gold, affecting its color. In the manufacture of jewelry made of gold, various alloys are used.
White gold is very popular. Moreover, among jewelers and among consumers. The composition of white gold may vary depending on the additives used to dilute the pure metal and give it the desired shade. In the jewelry industry, such gold is often used for jewelry with expensive gemstones. This application is due to the composition of white gold, providing its hardness in comparison with metals of other colors.
The popularity of metal does not depend much on fashion, because it is used in most cases for making jewelry with diamonds, emphasizing the advantages of stones and enhancing their luster. In addition, the use of white gold in combination with precious metals of other colors allows you to create more interesting jewelry.
White gold is universal. Jewelry made of white gold goes to almost everyone, regardless of skin color, hair or eyes. You can wear such jewelry not only at special occasions, but also in everyday life, as they look modest and discreet.
White gold composition
White gold can be given using various additives as a ligature. What additives directly depend on such additives what color of metal will be as a result. It can have various shades.
The main metals used to create white gold are:
- manganese;
- nickel;
- palladium;
- silver;
- platinum.
Noble is called white gold, which contains platinum or nickel. Such alloys are the most expensive, as they have a high fineness and are often used to make gemstone frames.
Alloying gold with nickel is considered an economical option. In addition, it provides the composition with hardness, gloss and is perfectly polished. At the same time, such an alloy has a significant drawback - it often causes allergic reactions, which is why the use of white gold with such an additive was banned in Europe.
The answer to the question why white gold is white is the ligature used to dilute pure gold. The best component for whitening gold is platinum, which gives the metal incredible strength and a beautiful white color. At the same time, with such an additive, the cost of jewelry increases significantly and the complexity of metal processing increases due to the refractoriness and high hardness of platinum.
Palladium is another metal that can give white color to gold, but with this addition the metal retains a slight yellow tint.
To make a gold product as white and shiny as possible, it is coated with rhodium, which is part of the platinum group metals. This coating protects the jewelry, gives it shine, makes it resistant to scratches and deformation, and also neutralizes the allergenicity of nickel, if it is present in the product.
What sample happens
A sample of white gold depends on the amount of ligature in the precious metal alloy. What does it mean? The more gold and platinum directly in the composition of white gold, the higher its fineness.
The sample is standard, regardless of the color of the metal. Since there are international standards according to which pure gold is diluted. The most common is white gold 585. In this case, the gold itself contains a little more than half of the metal, and the other components are other metals. Products of such a test are quite durable.
A gold sample means the quantitative content of precious metals in an alloy.
If an alloy of 585 is used in the decoration, about half of the gold is in it, the rest of it is platinum and silver. Such a product will delight the owner with impeccable whiteness and durability.
Often, a sample is called a stigma, and for the safe sale of precious metals, as well as control over their quality, the stigma is regulated in many countries at the state level.
The most common samples of white gold are 585 and 750. The same samples in Europe are labeled 14K and 18K. The composition of 14-carat white gold contains 58.5% of gold, and the remaining 41.5% are additives made of nickel, palladium or silver. In 18ct gold, the additives are precious silver and platinum, and about 75% of the gold itself.
Lower samples convert jewelry to jewelry. And pure gold is found exclusively in bank bullion. The test indicates the quality of the precious metal product, but only if the mark is established under state control.
Differences between white gold and silver
When choosing a white gold jewelry, the consumer is primarily concerned with how to distinguish this precious metal from cheaper silver.
First of all, pay attention to the sample product. In white gold it will be 585 or 750, while the stigma on silver is always 925. Visually, these metals also differ noticeably, and even a layman can easily recognize gold. The shine of white gold is more intense than that of silver, the gold product has a large mass and is much harder than its silver counterpart.
In addition to visual assessment, jewelry experts often evaluate precious metals for compliance with a sample using special acids and reagents. Such a check in the absence of a mark is required, since rhodium plating is often applied to silver products, which makes them indistinguishable from gold.
Rhodium plating
Rhodium plating of jewelry is a common procedure. Such a coating provides the products with the necessary gloss and significantly increases their wear resistance.
Rhodium is a noble silver-white metal. The cost of this metal is ten times greater than the cost of gold, since it is considered quite rare. For the manufacture of jewelry, despite all its value, rhodium is not suitable, as it is very fragile. But as a coating for jewelry, it fits perfectly.
One of the reasons for applying rhodium to white gold jewelry is the need to give them more whiteness and eliminate the yellowish tint. The rhodium coating, in addition to color, also provides reliable protection of the product, since it does not change its color, does not fade and is sufficiently resistant to abrasion and deformation. Products coated with rhodium tolerate daily wear and heavy use.
Sometimes such a coating is also applied to platinum jewelry to enhance their shine and to silver products for their protection.
Despite all the advantages of rhodium, the coating of this metal eventually erases. In this case, the rhodium layer is reapplied.
Cost
The price of white gold, or rather jewelry from this jewelry alloy, is influenced by many factors. First of all, this is a sample of metal - the higher the sample, the more expensive the decoration.
So, a product from an understated 300 or 385 sample, despite its white color, is, in fact, costume jewelry, so the low cost of decoration should certainly alert. Especially if there is no brand on it. Jewelry of white color 585 of sample is always more accessible than jewelry of 750 sample, since directly they contain less gold.
In addition to the test, the complexity of its manufacture and the presence of precious stones in the product also affects the cost of jewelry.
Another factor affecting the cost of decoration is its weight. The price of white gold, like any other, is set per gram and regulated by the international exchange. The average cost of 1 g of white gold (585 samples) ranges from 2100 to 3500 rubles. Therefore, the heavier the decoration, the more expensive it will cost.
White gold rings
Jewelers can make any white jewelry from white gold: chains, earrings, pendants, bracelets. However, the most common white gold jewelry is rings.
Such rings are often used as engagement rings, complemented by diamond inserts. Incredibly popular, especially in Europe, are wedding rings made of noble white metal. White gold in these products is used without exception by all world-famous jewelry houses, often supplementing it with elements of gold of other colors. Thus, interesting jewelry designs are created.
White Gold Chains
White gold chains are very popular due to their versatility. On such chains you can wear all kinds of pendants and pendants. And not necessarily from a similar metal. Pendants made of combined gold elements look great on them. Pendants with precious stones and diamonds.
White gold can be used to make chains of any weaving - both manual and machine. Such chains are often complemented by bracelets.
White Gold Diamond Jewelry
The physical characteristics of white gold largely determine its popularity. After all, this metal is much harder than alloys of other colors. That is why white gold is used as a frame for precious stones. And especially diamonds. Even if the jewelry is made from a combination of gold elements of various colors, the stones will certainly be framed by white metal to prevent them from falling out.
In addition, white gold emphasizes the beauty of diamonds, greatly enhancing their brilliance and emphasizing the natural whiteness and beauty of an expensive pebble. Most engagement rings with diamonds from eminent jewelry houses of Tiffany, Cartier, Chopard are made of white gold.
Rules for the care of jewelry
White gold jewelry requires care and special care. If the product has a rhodium coating, its owner will certainly encounter the need to periodically transfer the jewelry to a jeweler to apply a new layer of rhodium. In addition, with everyday wear, white gold may become dull and scratched, especially when in contact with cosmetic and chemical substances, chlorinated water from a water supply system or salty water from the sea.
Mechanical cleaning of white gold jewelry is prohibited, as it will completely erase the protective coating from rhodium. In jewelry workshops, such jewelry is cleaned in ultrasonic baths and treated with hot steam.
For home care, it is possible to purchase special means by which the jewelry is wiped and polished with a soft lint-free cloth. Despite the difficulties in leaving, reviews of white gold are always positive.
White gold is a noble precious metal that allows you to create jewelry of incredible beauty. Its advantage is versatility and compatibility with any type of appearance and style of clothing.