White Gold is Elemental
The introduction of white gold is said to have been around the turn of the twentieth century. Depending on who writes the story, white gold was originally marketed as a poor mans substitute for platinum. As way all know, gold in its natural state is yellow.
White gold is not found in nature and the process of creating it involves a good bit of elementary chemistry. To achieve the white coloration, gold is combined with other metals. While not pure gold, white gold is distinctive in its appearance and is very similar to that of platinum.
Platinum is a metal ore that is more rare than gold. Known for its distinctive white color, platinum is heavier than gold and has a number of uses in addition to jewelry. Platinum is used in many commercial and industrial applications.
This extremely rare metal can be found automobile components like spark plug electrodes and catalytic converters. The high melting point of pure platinum makes it useful in high temperature environments such as jet engines.
It is important to remember that even the finest gold jewelry is not pure gold. The purity of gold is measured in carats. When applied to gold, the term carat refers to the amount of gold present. Twenty four carat gold is one hundred percent gold. The purity of platinum and other precious metals is also measured in carats.
Do not confuse the term carat as it applies to gemstones like diamonds. Gemstone carats refer to the weight of the stone and are not a reflection of purity. As with any type of gold jewelry, the more carats, the purer the gold is. Eighteen carat gold contains approximately seventy percent gold and twenty five percent of another base metal. Common base metal alloys are silver, zinc, nickel and copper.
Twenty four carat gold is much too soft and malleable to use for jewelry. In order to strengthen the gold and make it more durable, twenty four carat gold is combined with other metals. Jewelry made from eighteen carat gold is considered to be of the highest quality. White gold jewelry can be found in carat purity as high as eighteen.
The process of combining metals is known as alloying. This is a very common metallurgical process that bonds one or metal elements to form a compound. In the manufacturing of white gold, pure gold is alloyed with other metal elements such as nickel, silver or palladium. The higher the gold content the more likely it is that the white gold will appear to have a yellowish hue.
In order to achieve a uniform white color, white gold is always plated with a thin coat of rhodium. Rhodium is a metal that helps to enhance white gold in several ways. Since rhodium is a hard metal element, the coat of rhodium plating makes white gold jewelry more durable. Rhodium also imparts a very bright shine and gives the gold a white coloration similar to platinum.
Depending on the age of your white gold jewelry, you may notice that it loses some of its luster over time. If the piece looks dull it is the result of rhodium plating being worn. There is a way to restore the piece to its original luster and whiteness. Many jewelers offer plating service where more rhodium plating is added. This is a common and relatively inexpensive process compared to buying a replacement jewelry piece.
Many people have a sensitivity to nickel. If this is a problem for you, it is important to find out what base metals have been added to the gold. Less expensive white gold, ten carats or less may have a much higher nickel content than say eighteen carat white gold that will have been alloyed with silver.
About the Author
Mitch Endick is a short article writer for the popular jewelry site: http://www.jewelrysalesandservice.com. He provides informative advice on buying gold, jewelry, watches, and gemstones.
www.jewelrysalesandservice.com
White Gold Iphone 4 Conversion – Gold Plated
|
|
Natural Amethyst&Swarovski Crystal 14k White Gold Ring GP $0.99 |
|
|
J1238#6 FASHION JEWELRY NEW FIRE BLACK ONYX WHITE TOPAZ 18K GOLD PLATED RING $0.99 |
|
|
Woman7world 742 18 inch Spring Clasp 18k White Gold Rotary 18″ Necklace Chain $0.02 |
|
|
2.86 CT CLASSIC ROUND DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING SI/D 14K SOLID WHITE GOLD $13,335.00 |
|
|
18K White Gold GP Swarovski Crystal Unique Earrings $0.99 |
|
|
New 18k White Gold gp Earrings Fashion Jewelry use Swarovski Crystals E778 $8.98 |
|
|
Dye i3 Goggles White/black w/ mirror gold lenses $50.00 |
|
|
14K White Gold SI1/G Round .80Ct Diamond Solitaire Engagement Wedding Ring Band $1,409.00 |
|
|
Fashion 18K white gold filled round swarovski crystal attractive ring Sz5/J $0.99 |
|
|
Estate 14k White Gold Diamond Heart Dangle Drop Earrings Fine Jewelry Heirloom $1,195.00 |
|
|
14K WHITE GOLD BLACK DIAMOND TURQUOISE HAMSA HAND PENDANT CHARM $509.00 |
|
|
18K One (1) Carat TW Ring Diamond Solitaire White Gold Yellow Diamonds, Size 7.5 $2,449.95 |
|
|
10KT White Gold w/ 1/4 CT Total Weight Diamond Ring! RETAIL $500.00!! NWT!! $9.99 |
|
|
#S658 WHITE UNICORN GOLD HORN HORSE PONY VINTAGE S&P SALT PEPPER SHAKERS $2.99 |
|
|
Gorgeous Diamond 14K White Gold Screw-On Earrings 0.2g $0.99 |
|
|
Darling White and Gold Knit Swim Bottoms- Old Navy Size XL $3.46 |
|
|
size 8 Arinna 3-in-1 vogue finger Ring rose / white / gold GP Swarovski Crystal $7.99 |
|
|
1 1/2ct Created Black Diamond Stud Earrings 14k White Gold Overlay Stamped 925 $54.00 |
|
|
White Gold plated white crystal Heart ring Jewelry MJR295 #7 $7.99 |
|
|
R1554 JEWELRY BLACK ONYX 18K WHITE GOLD PLATED COCKTAIL RING #7.5 $0.99 |
|
|
***MEMORIAL DAY Sale**2.5 Carats White Gold Plated 18K GP CZ Wedding Ring Size 5 $9.99 |
|
|
1.30 ct Princess Cut Diamond & Blue Sapphire Bridal Ring Set 14k White Gold $2,600.00 |
|
|
GENUINE MIKIMOTO CULTURED PEARLS, 21 inch, 5.25MM PEARLS, 14 K white GOLD CLASP $600.00 |
|
|
Vintage Jewelry Belais 18K White Gold Wedding Ring Band $399.00 |
|
|
SHAMBALLA BRACELET CRYSTAL Disco Ball Friendship Gift Clay Ring SHAMBALA Paris $18.30 |
|
|
SHAMBALLA BRACELET CRYSTAL Disco Ball Friendship Gift Clay Ring SHAMBALA Paris $18.30 |
|
|
SHAMBALLA BRACELET CRYSTAL Disco Ball Friendship Gift Clay Ring SHAMBALA Paris $18.30 |
|
|
SHAMBALLA BRACELET CRYSTAL Disco Ball Friendship Gift Clay Ring SHAMBALA Paris $18.30 |
|
|
SHAMBALLA BRACELET CRYSTAL Disco Ball Friendship Gift Clay Ring SHAMBALA Paris $18.30 |
|
|
SHAMBALLA BRACELET CRYSTAL Disco Ball Friendship Gift Clay Ring SHAMBALA Paris $18.30 |
|
|
SHAMBALLA BRACELET CRYSTAL Disco Ball Friendship Gift Clay Ring SHAMBALA Paris $18.30 |
|
|
SHAMBALLA BRACELET CRYSTAL Disco Ball Friendship Gift Clay Ring SHAMBALA Paris $18.30 |
|
|
SHAMBALLA BRACELET CRYSTAL Disco Ball Friendship Gift Clay Ring SHAMBALA Paris $18.30 |
|
|
SHAMBALLA BRACELET CRYSTAL Disco Ball Friendship Gift Clay Ring SHAMBALA Paris $18.30 |
|
|
10K 0.32CT WHITE & BLACK DIAMOND TWO HEART PENDANT WHITE GOLD. $270.00 |
|
|
R1625 JEWELRY BLUE TOPAZ 18K WHITE GOLD PLATED COCKTAIL RING #5.5 $0.99 |
|
|
Fashion 18k white gold filled swarovski crystal heart linked to heart earring $0.99 |
|
|
13×5~3MM BLACK SAPPHIRE TOPAZ ROUND CUT 18K WHITE GOLD PLATED CARNIVAL RING *WW $0.99 |
|
|
1.8 Carat Brilliant Cut White Gold Plated 18K Wedding Engagement Ring Size 10 $12.00 |
|
|
AN ELEGANT 9ct SOLID WHITE GOLD0.10ct NATURAL DIAMOND CLUSTER RING size P/Q 8 $1.56 |
|
|
Gibson Staffordshire England teapot blue brown gold white figures in relief $28.00 |
|
|
Crystal heart key double ring sz 678910 white gold pt $9.99 |
|
|
NEW SPARKING WHITE ZIRCONS RING 14K WHITE GOLD FILLED JEWELRY ZR73 SIZE6 $0.99 |
|
|
New 18k White Gold gp Pendant Necklace Chain use Swarovski Crystals N886 $7.99 |
|
|
White Gold plated White and Black Crystal Fashion ring Jewelry MJR288 #7 $6.99 |
|
|
A PAIR OF SUPERB 9ct SOLID WHITE GOLD 0.25ct NATURAL DIAMOND EARRINGS $140.65 |
|
|
1.64 CT Princess Cut Certified Diamond Engagement Ring 14k White Gold $3,604.00 |
|
|
1.52 CT Princess Cut Certified Diamond Engagement Ring 14k White Gold $3,402.00 |
|
|
Diamond Eternity Bangle/Bracelet F/SI-1 White Gold 14 Kt 2 1/4″ $4,999.00 |
|
|
10 k White Gold Mens Diamond Ring Sz 10 1/4 $175.00 |
