White gold is alloyed gold mixed with other metals to give the natural yellow gold a whitish look. This alloyed gold has a dull whitish finish and so is often coated with rhodium to give it a bright white finish. White gold is often used in jewellery like earrings, rings, bracelets, chains, necklaces, pendants, etc. White gold is often confused for platinum which is also white in colour, but more expensive. White gold is generally 18 or lower carat gold.
White gold became fashionable in the 1920s, as a replacement for platinum. Over three patents for the composition of white gold were filed at this time. Since then, white gold has been used in different forms and has become popular all over the world.
To understand the process of creating white gold, it is imperative to understand gold and its alloys better. 24 carat or pure gold is softer and has a bright yellow colour. Generally, gold used in jewellery, especially diamond jewellery, is mixed with other metals. Depending on the desired colour of gold, different metals may be used as alloys. For white gold, gold may be mixed with metals such as such as nickel, palladium, silver, platinum, copper or zinc. For red, pink or rose gold, an alloy of gold and copper may be used. For green gold, an alloy of silver and gold is used, while for black gold, chromium, cobalt or chemical processing may be used.
White gold may be made of different alloys to suit different purposes. If the white gold needs to be used as plain metallic jewellery such as for ring bands or pins, harder and stronger nickel is used. However, if white gold has to be used for gemstone or diamond settings, it has to be softer and pliable, so palladium with gold is used. When the white gold needs to be heavier and more durable, an alloy of gold and platinum may be used. In cases where the white good alloy looks dullish, a thin layer of rhodium is plated on top of the surface, giving it a shine comparable to platinum or silver. As the rhodium layer wears with time the plating needs to be redone regularly.
White gold jewellery looks contemporary and can be made using all kinds of gemstones such as rubies, peridots, aquamarines, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, amethysts, pearls, etc.
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