Chemistry:White gold
White gold is an alloy of gold and at least one white metal, usually nickel or palladium.[1] Like yellow gold, the purity of white gold is given in carats (karats). It is often used in jewellery.[2]
A common white gold formulation consists of 90% gold and 10% nickel by mass.[3] Copper can be added to increase malleability.[4]
White gold's properties vary depending on the metals and proportions used. As a result, white gold alloys can be used for different purposes; while a nickel alloy is hard and strong, and therefore good for rings and pins, gold-palladium alloys are soft, pliable and good for white gold gemstone settings. The highest-quality white gold is usually of at least 18 karat alloy and made up of gold and palladium, sometimes with other metals like copper, silver, and platinum for weight and durability, although this often requires specialized goldsmiths.[4]
While some higher-quality white gold alloys retain their shine and lustre, most will be coated with a very thin layer of rhodium. This gives the naturally duller white gold a shine comparable to that of platinum or silver, although the rhodium may wear off over time.[5][6]
Skin irritation
The nickel used in some white gold alloys can cause an allergic reaction when worn over long periods (also notably on some wristwatch casings).[7] This reaction, typically a minor skin rash from nickel dermatitis, occurs in about one out of eight people; because of this, many countries do not use nickel in their white gold formulations.
White gold alloys made without nickel are less likely to be allergenic.[8]
See also
References
- ↑ Popescu, Dan (5 June 2014). "Le platine est-il de "l'or blanc", ou est-il différent ?" (in fr). Or. https://or.fr/actualites/relation-or-platine-511.
- ↑ Wykoff, Gerald L. (1989). Beyond the Glitter: Everything You Need to Know to Buy, Sell, Care For, and Wear Gems and Jewelry Wisely. Adamas. ISBN 978-0960789269.
- ↑ Emsley, John (2003). Nature's building blocks: an A–Z guide to the elements (Reprinted with corrections, 1st ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 168. ISBN 0198503407. https://archive.org/details/naturesbuildingb0000emsl/page/168.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cretu, Cristian; van der Lingen, Elma (December 1999). "Coloured gold alloys". Gold Bulletin 32 (4): 118. doi:10.1007/BF03214796. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF03214796.pdf.
- ↑ "Why Does White Gold Jewelry Need Rhodium Plating?". 5 December 2025. https://www.gabrielny.com/blog/white-gold-rhodium-plating/?srsltid=AfmBOorr3zr1t8fhojwGZ4Hwx53wOT50z7ly7vHzLhsQcN-WmaOolIHi.
- ↑ "What is Rhodium Plating and Why Does Your White Gold Need It? The Shiny Secret Your Jewelry Hides!". https://robinsonsjewelers.com/blogs/news/what-is-rhodium-plating-and-why-does-your-white-gold-need-it-the-shiny-secret-your-jewelry-hides.
- ↑ "White gold". World Gold Council. http://www.utilisegold.com/jewellery_technology/colours/white/.
- ↑ Ngan, Vanessa (2012). "Jewelry allergy". DermNet. https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/jewelry-allergy/.
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