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 in a wide variety of colors: red, pink, yellow, black and the most popular white. Why white gold is white, and what determines its color, cost and quality are important questions.
What is white gold
In 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 gold jewelry, various alloys are used.
White gold is very popular. And among jewelers, and among consumers. The composition of white gold may vary depending on the additives used to dilute the pure metal and give itrequired shade. In the jewelry industry, such gold is often used for jewelry with expensive precious stones. This use is due to the composition of white gold, which makes it harder than other colors of metal.
The popularity of the metal depends little on fashion, because it is used in most cases for making jewelry with diamonds, emphasizing the dignity of stones and enhancing their brilliance. 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 versatile. White gold jewelry suits almost everyone, regardless of skin color, hair or eyes. You can wear such jewelry not only for special occasions, but also in everyday life, as they look modest and unobtrusive.
White gold composition
White color can be given to gold using various additives as a ligature. From such additives directly depends on what color of the metal will turn out in the end. It can have different 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 are of high purity and are often used to make settings for precious stones.
An alloy of gold and nickel is considered an economical option. In addition, it provides the compositionhardness, gloss and perfectly polished. At the same time, this alloy has a significant drawback - it often causes allergic reactions, which is why the use of white gold with this 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 bleaching 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 whiten 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. Such a 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
The fineness of white gold depends on the amount of ligature in the alloy of the precious metal. What does it mean? The more gold and platinum in white gold, the higher its fineness.
Sample is standard, regardless of metal color. Since there are international standards according to which pure gold is diluted. The most common is white gold 585. In this casethe gold itself in the metal contains a little more than half, and the remaining components are other metals. Products of this sample are quite durable.
The fineness of gold means the quantitative content of precious metals in the alloy.
If an alloy of 585 samples is used in jewelry, then about half of it is gold, the rest is platinum and silver. Such a product will please the owner with impeccable whiteness and durability.
Often a sample is called a brand, and for the safe sale of precious metals, as well as control over their quality, the setting of such a brand in many countries is regulated at the state level.
The most common samples of white gold are 585 and 750. The same samples in European countries are marked with the hallmark 14K and 18K. 14 carat white gold contains 58.5% gold, with the remaining 41.5% nickel, palladium or silver additives. In 18 carat gold, precious silver and platinum are additives, and gold itself is approximately 75%.
Lower samples translate the jewelry into the category of costume jewelry. And gold in its pure form is found exclusively in bank bars. The test indicates the quality of the precious metal product, but only if the brand is established under state control.
Differences between white gold and silver
When choosing a piece of white gold jewelry, the consumer's first concern is how to distinguish this precious metal from cheaper silver.
First of all, you should pay attention to the sample of the product. In white goldit will be 585 or 750, while the stamp on silver is always 925. Visually, these metals are also noticeably different, and even a non-professional can easily recognize gold. The brilliance of white gold is more intense than that of silver, the gold product has a greater mass and is much harder than its silver counterpart.
In addition to visual assessment, jewelry experts often evaluate precious metals for compliance with the sample using special acids and reagents. Such a check in the absence of a hallmark is mandatory, since silver items are often rhodium-plated, which makes them indistinguishable from gold.
Rhodium plated
Rhodium plating of jewelry is a common procedure. This coating provides the products with the necessary shine and significantly increases their wear resistance.
Rhodium is a noble metal with a silvery white hue. The cost of this metal is ten times higher than the cost of gold, as 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 is ideal.
One reason for adding rhodium to white gold jewelry is to make it whiter and eliminate the yellowish tint. Rhodium coating, in addition to color, also provides reliable protection for the product, as it does not change its color, does not fade and is sufficiently resistant to abrasion and deformation. Rhodium-plated products stand up well to daily wear and heavy use.
Sometimesthis coating is also applied to platinum jewelry to enhance its brilliance and silver jewelry to protect it.
Despite all the advantages of rhodium, the coating of this metal is still erased over time. In this case, the rhodium layer is applied again.
Cost
The price of white gold, or rather jewelry made from this jewelry alloy, is influenced by many factors. First of all, this is a metal sample - the higher the sample, the more expensive the jewelry.
So, a product made of an underestimated 300 or 385 test, despite its white color, is in fact jewelry, so the low cost of jewelry should certainly alert. Especially if there is no label on it. White 585 jewelry is always more affordable than 750 jewelry, as it contains less gold directly.
In addition to the sample, the cost of jewelry is also affected by the complexity of its manufacture and the presence of precious stones in the product.
Another factor that affects the cost of jewelry is its weight. The price of white gold, like any other, is set per gram and is regulated by an international exchange. The average cost of 1 g of white gold (585) ranges from 2100 to 3500 rubles. Therefore, the heavier the jewelry, the more expensive it will cost.
White gold rings
Master jewelers can make any jewelry from white gold: chains, earrings, pendants, bracelets. However, the most common white gold jewelry isrings.
Such rings are often used as engagement rings, complementing them with diamond inserts. Incredibly popular, especially in Europe, are wedding rings made of white precious metal. White gold in these products is used by all world famous jewelry houses without exception, often complementing it with elements of gold of other colors. In this way, 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 the same 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 with 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 setting for precious stones. And especially diamonds. Even if the jewelry is made of a combination of gold elements of different colors, then the stones will certainly be framed with white metal to prevent them from falling out.
In addition, white gold enhances the beauty of diamonds, significantlyenhancing their brilliance and emphasizing the natural whiteness and beauty of an expensive pebble. Most engagement rings with diamonds from famous jewelry houses Tiffany, Cartier, Chopard are made of white gold.
Rules for caring for jewelry
White gold jewelry requires careful handling and special care. If a piece has a rhodium plating, its owner will certainly face the need to periodically take the piece of jewelry to the jeweler to apply a new layer of rhodium. In addition, white gold can tarnish and scratch with everyday wear, especially when it comes into contact with cosmetics and chemicals, chlorinated tap water or s alty sea water.
Mechanical cleaning of white gold jewelry is prohibited, as it will completely erase the protective coating of 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 products with which the jewelry is wiped and polished with a soft, lint-free cloth. Despite the difficulties in care, 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.
