What is White Gold
Question:
What is "white gold"?
What is "white gold"?
Instructions
Answer:
First off, white gold does not occur naturally. While gold can appear in green, pink, or yellow hues due to minerals around it, white gold is actually made by alloying yellow gold with metals like silver, palladium, copper, and zinc.
Nickel used to be common in white gold alloys but has mostly been phased out because it often causes allergic reactions.
An important thing to note: white gold tarnishes faster than sterling silver! Because of the alloys used to create its white color, white gold needs a protective rhodium plating to maintain its bright finish. Over time, this rhodium plating wears off and requires professional re-plating.
From personal experience, I made pieces using 14kt white gold wire for a client who insisted on it.
Since the wire wasn't rhodium-plated after forming the design, the white gold quickly turned black within weeks. She eventually had me remake those pieces in Argentium silver, which stays bright much longer.
In summary: If you or your customer want a truly white metal that keeps its shine over time, Argentium silver is the better choice. And if white gold is a must for "status" reasons, be upfront about the maintenance involved this honesty saves frustration and keeps expectations realistic.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
First off, white gold does not occur naturally. While gold can appear in green, pink, or yellow hues due to minerals around it, white gold is actually made by alloying yellow gold with metals like silver, palladium, copper, and zinc.
Nickel used to be common in white gold alloys but has mostly been phased out because it often causes allergic reactions.
An important thing to note: white gold tarnishes faster than sterling silver! Because of the alloys used to create its white color, white gold needs a protective rhodium plating to maintain its bright finish. Over time, this rhodium plating wears off and requires professional re-plating.
From personal experience, I made pieces using 14kt white gold wire for a client who insisted on it.
Since the wire wasn't rhodium-plated after forming the design, the white gold quickly turned black within weeks. She eventually had me remake those pieces in Argentium silver, which stays bright much longer.
In summary: If you or your customer want a truly white metal that keeps its shine over time, Argentium silver is the better choice. And if white gold is a must for "status" reasons, be upfront about the maintenance involved this honesty saves frustration and keeps expectations realistic.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
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- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): Wrapping
Dale Armstrong
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