White gold is a type of gold alloy that is made by mixing pure gold with one or more white metals, such as silver, palladium, or platinum. The resulting alloy has a light yellow silvery colour and is often used in jewellery.
The process of making white gold involves the following steps:
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Mixing: Pure gold is mixed with other metals, such as nickel, palladium, or silver, in a specific proportion to achieve the desired color and properties.
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Melting: The mixture is melted in a furnace or crucible at high temperatures.
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Cooling and Solidifying: The molten metal is then poured into a mold and allowed to cool and solidify.
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Annealing: The solidified metal is then heated to a high temperature and slowly cooled to relieve any stress and improve its strength and durability.
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Polishing: The white gold is then polished to achieve a smooth and shiny finish, and a Rhodium plating is often added to achieve a bright white shine.
It's important to note that nickel, a common metal used in white gold alloys, can cause allergic reactions in some people. Therefore, some white gold alloys use palladium or silver instead of nickel to avoid this issue. It's important to ask your jeweller if they know the alloys used. The alloys we use in our white gold wedding rings, are silver with 9ct white gold, and palladium with 18ct white gold. Then they are both plated with Rhodium to give a hard wearing, shiny bright finish.
White gold is popular in engagement rings, wedding bands, and other fine jewellery because of its beauty, durability, and versatility. It can be polished to a high shine, and it complements a wide variety of gemstones, including diamonds and coloured gemstones.
White gold is a popular metal used in jewellery making and possesses several properties that make it an attractive option for designers and consumers. Here are some of the properties of white gold:
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Colour: White gold has a silvery-white colour that resembles platinum or silver, which gives it a modern, sophisticated look.
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Durability: White gold is a hard and durable metal that can resist scratches and tarnishing, making it ideal for daily wear.
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Purity: White gold is made by alloying pure gold with other metals, so it typically has a higher level of purity than other gold alloys.
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Versatility: White gold is a versatile metal that can be polished to a high shine or given a matte finish. It also complements a wide variety of gemstones.
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Hypoallergenic: Some people may be allergic to certain metals commonly used in white gold, such as nickel, but there are hypoallergenic white gold alloys available that are safe for those with sensitive skin.
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Maintenance: White gold requires regular cleaning and maintenance to maintain its shine and appearance. It can also be re-plated with rhodium to restore its bright white colour if it starts to yellow over time.
We offer a rhodium plating service starting at £50 per ring, with discounts if you have more than one ring.
