White gold is a very popular choice for engagement and wedding rings as well as for other types of jewelry.
The reason for that is quite simple – it has a gorgeous whitish look that’s similar to that of platinum and it’s also more durable and long-lasting than regular yellow gold.
The white color of this gold variation goes very well with a lot of skin tones and clothing styles, and it also has a very modern look compared to the classic and vintage style of yellow gold.
If you’re considering white gold for your jewelry, read on for our complete guide.
What Is White Gold Made Of?
White gold is an alloy made of yellow gold combined with other metals such as copper, zinc, silver, nickel and/or palladium. It’s those metals that give white gold its color, as well as its superior durability compared to the much softer, standard yellow gold.
There are two main ratios for white gold:
· 75% gold to 25% other metals – results in 18K white gold. It’s more valuable due to the higher gold content but softer than 14K white gold.
· 58.3% gold to 41.7% – results in 14K white gold. 14K is more durable than 18K gold and is also a whiter alloy. However it’s less valuable as it has less pure gold.
White gold alloys aren’t really white. They have a yellowish tinge that comes from the gold. This is why most white gold jewelry also has a thin coating of rhodium on top of it.
This rhodium coating is expensive in and of itself and adds to the value and the price of the piece. It also contributes to the classic white color of the gold making it reflective and shiny as well as durable.
White gold’s color can vary a little bit based on its karats, i.e. – on the amount of pure gold in the alloy. The rhodium plating, as mentioned above, gives white gold its classic look. Essentially, white gold looks very much like platinum, with the same silver-hued shine. This makes it an excellent and less expensive alternative to platinum.
Will White Gold Look Good On Me?
While white gold is a highly versatile metal that tends to look good on all skin tones, it especially flatters those with cool undertones. People with cool skin tones tend to pair well with white metals, including silver, platinum, palladium and so on. This is just a guideline and a well-crafted white gold ring tends to look beautiful against any skin color.
White Gold vs. Platinum
We have already outlined the main difference between these two jewelry materials – their durability. There are other differences as well, however, chief among which is that platinum is a rarer, more expensive and a naturally occurring metal, while white gold is an alloy.
Platinum is harder than white gold and ranks higher on the Mohs scale. It’s also known as being scratch proof. That’s a little oversimplified but it’s essentially true – unlike gold which can scratch easily, platinum technically doesn’t scratch (i.e. lose particles) when it gets in contact with a hard surface. Instead, platinum tends to develop tiny bumps and ridges when pressed, which over time becomes a patina. This can cause platinum to lose its luster and require polishing.
This unscratchable quality of platinum is very valuable, especially for engagement and wedding rings, as they tend to be worn a lot and come in contact with hard surfaces quite often. Platinum also doesn’t have or need a rhodium plating that has to be reapplied periodically.
Still, the much more affordable price of white gold, as well as its very good durability, make it a good alternative to platinum.
White Gold vs. Silver
White gold is the more popular of the two as it is more durable than most silver alloys and requires less care.
Unlike gold, silver tends to develop a darker patina over time if it’s not frequently maintained. Some people actually like that patina and let it be as they find it adds “character” to silver jewelry. If you want a clear and shining piece of jewelry, however, silver will need significantly more care than white gold.
On the flip side, silver is much cheaper than white gold, regardless of what different metals are added to its alloy.
What Maintenance Does White Gold Require?
The main care white gold requires is similar to that of yellow gold – while white gold is harder and more durable it still needs to be protected from scratches, from heavy contact with harder objects, as well as from more abrasive substances such as household chemicals and cleaning detergents.
The additional care required by white gold is, of course, the regular rhodium plating that need to be done once the previous rhodium layer gets worn out.
When you need to wash your white gold jewelry, it’s best to use a mild soap in warm water, as well as a soft piece of cloth or a soft-bristle brush. Anything harder than that can scratch the rhodium plating and any stronger soaps or detergents can wear it out.
In terms of storing, white gold should be carefully stored in soft cloth pouches or in linen boxes. Even when you’re just taking your white gold ring off for a while it’s still smart to keep it in a safe, soft cloth pouch.
Wrapping Up…
White gold is a top metal for wedding bands and can be found at any jewelry store. Of course, it’s always best to work only with reputable and trustworthy vendors as that guarantees quality and fair prices.
Post time: Apr-03-2023