What is called white gold and why

White gold - what is it, is it worth buying?

For a very long time people have been familiar with the yellow metal with amazing properties. Is this gold. They worshiped him, prayed to him, went to war, killed him. Now gold is used as a means of accumulation and savings, making jewelry, and in industry.

In its pure form, gold is used for investment, but alloys with other metals have made it possible to create interesting compositions. In the process of alloying, rose gold, green, black, and white appeared. The latter is preferred by jewelers to create products from precious stones.

White gold shows the beauty of diamonds and brilliants better than other metals, their natural purity and depth. Platinum is added to regular gold to give it a white color. Just one tenth gives an amazing white color. Since platinum is a rather expensive and refractory metal, jewelers use manganese, nickel, and palladium. For its chemical and aesthetic properties, white gold is very popular all over the world. It is considered an alternative to boring yellow gold.

What is white gold?

It is an alloy containing gold and other components that give gold its white color, such as platinum, palladium, silver, and nickel. The additional metals are called "ligature". All alloy percentages are regulated in Russia by the established GOST 30649-99.

On the shelves of jewelry stores you can find items made of 585 and 750 white gold. It is especially popular among jewelers due to its properties - gold is more durable, so precious stones can be fixed in it more reliably.

Several types of gold can be used in one product, but it is white that will frame the stone. In addition to its properties, the popularity of gold is associated with fashion trends.

Products made from white gold are considered more noble and refined, which emphasizes the status of a person and his condition.

Types of gold

Due to the alloy of certain metals, jewelers have identified several types of gold:

• Yellow gold. Its alloy contains copper and silver. The shade depends on their number. If in the USSR they added more copper and the products received a reddish tint, then in Europe they preferred to add more silver to get a delicate yellow color. The most popular alloys are 585 and 750 samples.
• Green gold. It contains silver and rubidium. It is used for making jewelry and has a beautiful aesthetic appearance. However, its strength is low, so it is not particularly popular.
• Black gold. The alloy has a black color due to the fact that it contains cobalt, chromium, rhodium, and ruthenium. The surface is artificially oxidized to give it a black color.
• Pink gold. The color is obtained due to the presence of copper. The shade will depend on the proportion of copper. With an equal share, the color turns reddish. This alloy was a priority in the Soviet Union. In Europe, red gold was not welcomed, even though it had a harder composition than yellow. For these properties, red and rose gold is used to make thin openwork products
• White gold. This is an alloy of yellow gold and white metal: manganese, palladium, platinum, nickel. Nickel was used for many years until medical research showed that nickel causes an allergic reaction when it comes into contact with skin. Because of this, from January 2000 the EU introduced a standard limiting the use of nickel in gold products. Due to its characteristics, nickel remains irreplaceable in some cases. It can be polished well and is harder than palladium. Palladium is close in cost to gold, but is more durable. Platinum gives the ideal white color and noble shine to gold. Together with platinum, white gold has the highest cost and excellent characteristics. It is worth noting that even if the alloy contains all of these metals without rhodium coating, the product will not be bright white. It has a perfect white color, which gives the product whiteness and increased durability. Rhodium also protects the skin from contact with nickel, which is found in white gold.

Thus, of all types, white gold is the most durable and aesthetically pleasing. It is ideal for products with precious stones, as it emphasizes their natural purity.

White gold jewelry: is it worth buying?

Pure gold is not used to make jewelry. It is so soft that a ring made of pure gold can be deformed with a simple handshake. To make products, other metals are added to gold to improve its properties. The ligature is determined according to GOST.

For several years now there has been a concept that white gold is nobler than yellow gold. It is worth noting here that the nobleness of a metal depends on its fineness, and not on its color. The higher the purity, the greater the proportion of gold.

White gold comes in 585 and 750 samples and is divided into noble and ignoble. The difference between them is simple: in base metal there are no other precious metals except gold. Most often it is diluted with nickel, which can cause an allergic reaction on the skin.

Sometimes nickel is replaced with palladium, but it is inferior in properties.

The soft metal cannot support complex geometric shapes and its color has a yellowish tint. True, when such a product is coated with rhodium, it will have an even white color.

Noble white gold eliminates allergic reactions, since platinum and palladium are already added to it. Platinum is the ideal component for creating noble white gold. It gives a touch of natural nobility and strength.

In terms of cost, products made from such an alloy have the highest cost. White gold with platinum is used to create products with precious stones, especially diamonds and diamonds.

The pallor of gold highlights the transparency of the stone and emphasizes its beauty and lunar shine.

Jewelry designers use white gold to create products in combination with other metals, which is much more original than their yellow gold counterparts. They emphasize the style and luxury of their owner and have been the rage of fashion and a model of luxurious life for several years.

White gold is truly universal. It suits any clothing, any skin type, hair or eye color, which cannot be said about yellow gold. As befits a true jewel, white gold is not loud or vulgar. It is cool and majestic, for which it is sought after by the richest people.

Advantages and disadvantages of white gold

The advantages include:

• Beautiful aesthetic appearance.
• Presence of noble metals (platinum, palladium).
• It is a fashion trend and is in demand by consumers.
• More durable, which allows you to mount precious stones more securely.
• Ideally combined with all precious stones.

Flaws:

• Counterfeits are common. It is impossible to determine the composition of white gold by eye, so a cheap “ignoble” analogue can be sold for an expensive product.
• Externally it looks like silver. If a product made of silver and gold is plated with rhodium, it will be impossible to distinguish them. Only a specialist can give a reliable answer after a chemical test.
• If the composition contains a large proportion of nickel, it can cause an allergic reaction.

Thus, if you want to purchase a white gold product, you should do it in an official jewelry store, having first examined the certificates. Otherwise, you can buy “base” metal, which will clearly have worse aesthetic properties.

White gold is more capricious than yellow gold, and therefore requires careful handling. You need to periodically take it to a jeweler to correct the rhodium layer.

You should also protect it from aggressive chemicals and not come into contact with tap water that contains bleach.

Source: https://investor100.ru/beloe-zoloto-chto-eto-stoit-li-pokupat/

White gold alloy composition

Since time immemorial, people have encountered the beautiful yellow metal. They worshiped him, idolized him, because of him they went on campaigns and started wars. Gold is ideal for processing and investment. White gold contains expensive platinum metals, giving it a high value.

Pure gold

You can only find gold in its pure form in the laboratory where it is obtained. In nature, metal is found with impurities of silver or copper. 999 gold is considered the purest. Sometimes it is called bank or red.

White gold

It is an alloy of gold and another white metal that can give gold a white color. What the alloy called “white gold” is made of can be understood by its color. Ligatures for white gold can be: manganese, nickel, palladium. This alloy began to gain popularity at the beginning of the twentieth century. They began to use it instead of expensive and refractory platinum.

Shades of gold range from white to green.

Red gold

It is an alloy of gold and copper. The color determines the amount of the latter. Red gold contains almost the same ratio of two metals. Red gold began to be actively used at the beginning of the 19th century.

In European countries, this type of precious metal is treated quite dismissively. Despite this, due to its composition it has greater hardness than yellow, due to which it wears off less.

Because of these properties, red gold can be safely used to make delicate openwork jewelry.

Yellow gold

This is the classic and most common type. Gained popularity several centuries ago. To give strength to pure gold, silver and copper are added to the alloy. They help improve the strength characteristics of the metal. The most popular alloys are 585 and 750 yellow gold.

Yellow gold is most popular in Russia.

Green gold

This alloy contains silver. The greater the proportion of silver in the alloy, the lighter it is. Also, green gold alloy is obtained by combining gold and rubidium. Green gold is very beautiful, but has low strength.

Black gold

In order for the alloy to have a black color, the surface of the product is coated with black rhodium or ruthenium, or an alloy is made of gold, cobalt and chromium, the surface of which is oxidized artificially.

There are fierce debates about which alloy is more noble: white or yellow? Each type of gold has unique characteristics and unique value. The use of both is subject to fashion: in different centuries it turned to different colors and shades.

Yellow metal goes well with dark skin, it is more noticeable and has a characteristic shine, however, white metal goes much better with diamonds, which is why (if we omit the physical characteristics of the alloy) it is mainly used to make settings for precious stones. However, we should not forget that the value and nobleness of a metal is determined by its breakdown. Therefore, yellow and white gold of the same purity will have the same value.

White gold looks very attractive with diamonds.

Alloys contain not only gold; much depends on the content of impurities. Nickel is added to white gold as an alloy, which causes an allergic reaction more often than other precious metals.

Because of this property of the white gold ligature, its use was limited in Europe. They tried to replace nickel with palladium, however, many of the characteristics of nickel remain irreplaceable. Thus, it has great hardness and is highly polished. This allows the use of alloys containing nickel to create original jewelry with complex designs.

It is simply not possible to create such straight and clear shapes from soft metal.

White gold is considered noble if the alloy contains metals such as platinum or palladium.

Platinum is one of the best options for “whitening” yellow gold. It is this that gives the precious alloy strength and a beautiful shade.

The popularity of white gold largely depends on fashion, but there are things that do not lend themselves to its trends. Jewelers who work with diamonds prefer white gold to yellow gold, as the resulting jewelry is more refined and pure. Its color highlights the advantages of a diamond, while yellow gold can hide some flaws.

Jewelry designers generally prefer white gold, primarily because it can easily be combined with metals of other colors. Jewelry made from metals of different colors allows you to create new, unexpected solutions, when single-color jewelry provides much less room for imagination.

Jewelry masterpieces are made from gold of various shades.

White gold is almost universal. Jewelry made from this alloy is surprisingly easy to combine with any color of hair, eyes and even skin. Traditional yellow gold is more difficult to wear every day; jewelry made from it is brighter and more catchy. White gold does not stand out, it is modest and not vulgar. Although, this is just a matter of taste.

Why isn't pure gold used in the jewelry industry?

The physical properties of pure gold are amazing: it is very easy to forge, is an excellent conductor of electricity, and helps focus mirrors that operate in the far infrared range.

In industry, there are many uses for pure, pure gold, however, this precious metal also has its drawbacks:

• It is very easy to forge. For jewelry, this is the biggest drawback;
• It wears out and bends easily;
• Pure gold jewelry quickly gets scratched and loses its shine and beauty.

How is white gold made?

Why is gold called “white”? The white tint of gold is given by metals such as palladium, platinum, and silver. White gold with the addition of platinum is one of the most expensive alloys. Jewelry made from such metal is sold only by large chains of jewelry stores, counting on people who are able to buy such jewelry.

An alloy of gold and nickel is more accessible. It has all the properties of noble white gold; such an alloy can be distinguished only by its slightly dull shine. In addition to external characteristics, the alloy with nickel also loses in relation to human health, but not always.

It all depends on how the white gold alloy is made. The fact is that nickel can cause irritation or allergies. Because of this, in Europe, starting in January 2000, a decree was passed prohibiting the use of nickel in jewelry and coins if its content exceeds the permissible limit.

But if the jewelry is covered with a protective layer, there is nothing to be afraid of.

Nickel in white gold alloy can cause allergies.

If one tenth of platinum is added to pure gold, the alloy acquires a characteristic white tint and physical properties such as strength and chemical resistance.

If the jewelry uses a 585 alloy, then about half of it is gold, the rest is platinum and silver. Such a product will delight the owner with its impeccable whiteness and durability.

If palladium or nickel is added to gold, the metal will receive an almost imperceptible yellow tint.

How is “pure” white gold obtained? Not all white gold alloys have a characteristic color; in order for the product to amaze its owner with the purity of the shade, it is coated with rhodium. This metal belongs to the platinum group and is more expensive than gold.

Jewelry coated with it is more resistant to scratches, abrasion, and deformation. Rhodium coating allows the use of nickel in alloys without harm to health.

Therefore, despite the fact that the jewelry is still an alloy of metals, its value is close to pure gold.

How to distinguish white gold from silver?

These two precious metals are very similar in appearance, but silver is much cheaper than white gold, in addition, silver is only a ligature for expensive white gold. How to recognize silver?

First of all, you should pay attention to the standard: gold jewelry uses 585 or 750 standard, silver 925. White gold has a brighter shine than silver. In addition, it is harder than silver.

What difficulties will the owner of white gold have to face?

The capricious alloy of white gold must be carefully monitored: periodically take the product to a jeweler in order to correct the rhodium layer, if any. White gold can become damaged during everyday wear if it comes into contact with harsh chemicals or if it comes into frequent contact with tap water, which may contain bleach.

Source: http://golden-inform.ru/proby/sostav-belogo-zolota/

White gold: what is it - composition, price, complete information about white gold

Gold is a unique monetary equivalent and one of the most valuable precious metals in the world! The price of one gram is 45 dollars. Gold has been recognized by all humanity since ancient times. In nature, it is found in its pure form and is extremely resistant to corrosion.

The homogeneity, ductility and practicality of using such a metal have led to the fact that gold is the most desirable value.

What is white gold?

However, white gold is no less, if not more, popular these days. Attractive and attractive silver color has a huge number of fans. First of all, jewelry is made from noble white gold. White metal color is better than any other color to highlight the beauty and specialness of jewelry.

White gold is obtained by alloying regular gold with other metals such as silver or nickel. Nickel and palladium give the metal its silvery-white color. A large amount of silver in the alloy disrupts the appearance of jewelry, so it looks matte.

On the downside, it is worth noting that nickel can cause allergies in some people, so it is either replaced with palladium or used in extremely small doses.

This precious metal is practically not used in jewelry because it is too soft, which means that deformation of the product can occur even with an ordinary handshake.

Very often, the inexperience of the consumer leads to the fact that silver and platinum are considered white gold; of course, this is a misconception. Real white gold is an alloy of yellow gold with various third-party metals. To have a good understanding of precious metals, you need to know their composition and assay.

White gold composition

Fineness – the number of grams of gold per 1 kilogram of alloy. This alloy consists of precious metals, the purpose of which is to lighten and give a silvery color to ordinary yellow gold. There are 4 main types of samples:

1. The 750th is one of the best, which means 750 grams of pure gold and 250 grams of foreign metal impurities. Expensive and luxurious jewelry is made from this metal. As a matter of fact, the higher the purity, the more gold, and therefore the higher the price.
2. The 585th is the most common and in demand sample over the past few decades. The works have a fascinating appearance and are extremely durable, remaining unchanged for many years.
3. The 500th is noticeably inferior in quality to the previous two, since silver and copper are added to the alloy, and this causes an extremely unpleasant bronze-yellow tint to the eye. Jewelry stores do not sell it, and working with such a sample is quite difficult.
4. 375th - there is very little noble white gold here, and such a sample is extremely low in value. Most of the alloy consists of silver, zinc and nickel. And since I have already said that nickel causes allergies in many people, is harmful to health and, in general, does not provide anything useful - wearing jewelry with it in its composition is extremely undesirable. Besides, who needs low-grade gold that can gradually lose its color?

These are the main samples of white gold, into which all goods sold are divided. It is easy to notice that the cost depends on the amount of foreign metals, since their presence spoils the entire jewelry material and the beauty of the products.

Anyone should know that white gold does not exist above 750 purity. The thing is that it is impossible to bleach more than 75% of the gold in the alloy, and it will never be white. You can often notice that the metal is silver-colored 925, in which case it is no longer white gold - but silver!

How to get white gold

As we have already figured out, it is made from pure gold, mixed with platinum, zinc, copper, silver, nickel and cadmium. That's why it has this color, it's all thanks to these impurities. Ligatures are added exactly as much as the sample needs to be obtained, and also, the ligature increases the lifespan of the jewelry, so to speak, increasing its strength.

It goes without saying that any alloy based on platinum will cost significantly more than nickel and palladium. Based on this, the jeweler will use platinum only in the 750th hallmark - exclusively for the production of his best works. GOST recommends that we use less expensive samples, such as 585th - silver, palladium, nickel and zinc.

Gold alloys based on palladium have a platinum color, and nickel alloys have a grayish tint. It is these nickel alloys that need to be coated with rhodium so that gold can acquire its native crystal-white color.

Why is white gold called white?

Out of ignorance, such gold is often mistaken for platinum, confusing them with each other. By the way, platinum was previously considered only a men's metal, since rings and bracelets were made from it, and only after a long time, earrings and necklaces began to be made.

There are several main differences between these white precious metals that will help you always accurately identify them:

• Platinum is a 95% pure metal, included in the periodic table, and has its original color of silver. But white gold, we already know, is an alloy with a large percentage of alloy.
• Since platinum is pure and virtually free of impurities, it contains no nickel and will never cause allergies. Any gold jewelry can cause a rash, skin irritation or peeling, and the whole point is the potentially harmful metals that are included in any alloy.
• Gold is very soft and flexible, while platinum is extremely strong and hard. Jewelry made from gold is much lighter, but under a certain mechanical influence it easily changes its shape.
• The color and shade of platinum are natural, they are so by nature, in addition, sometimes a layer of rhodium is applied for additional shine. The color of gold, as we know, is yellow and its transformation into white can be said to be artificial. Because it's all about the alloys. Gold jewelry needs rhodium not only for its color, but also to create a protective layer and prevent damage. Rhodium has characteristics similar to platinum, as it is also a very strong and durable metal. The problem is that the rhodium layer is not permanent and wears off after a few years, so it needs to be restored.
• Perhaps the most important and easy difference is the price of such products, and in short, platinum is 3 times more expensive!

An interesting fact is that in the 20th century platinum was cheaper even than silver. This is a very refractory metal and using it in jewelry at that time was extremely problematic. The necessary powerful equipment was not enough; not all factories had it, and therefore, remelting platinum was an extremely difficult task.

Unlike gold, platinum can have a fineness higher than 750, namely: 850, 900 and 950. Gold has such a smaller fineness because it needs more impurities, since due to the fact that it is too soft, it is inconvenient to work with. Absolutely pure gold exists only in ingots, and if jewelry were made from such pure metal, their strength and reliability would leave much to be desired.

It is important to remember that it is impossible to distinguish jewelry made of platinum and white gold by eye, so you need to look at the sample, the mark and ask the seller for a certificate of metal quality.

Much more on our site will be useful to you, and other articles can answer other questions of interest.

Afterword

The nobleness of gold is determined by its fineness, not its color. White gold is fashionable and popular, it was, is and will be in the future. There is a lot of evidence for this statement, some of which are:

• For diamond jewelry, an experienced craftsman would prefer to use a setting made of white gold rather than yellow gold. The pale color gives the stone brightness and some specificity, making it the most important element of decoration;
• It goes well with other metals allowing you to make various combinations of jewelry work;
• Its versatility is amazing. Such jewelry can easily be combined with any clothing, without requiring special expensive outfits. These jewelry will always be appropriate, with any hairstyle, eye color and age; they are less demanding and affordable. Some will prefer the bright shine of yellow metal, while others will give their love to the discreet nobility of white. To each his own, but denying its uniqueness is pointless.

Source: http://GoldenGram.ru/vidy/beloe-zoloto.html

Composition and features of white gold

White gold has a huge number of fans, and all because it has a noble and elegant look. This metal is used to make jewelry. This gold became popular among aristocrats almost 100 years ago. The metal perfectly emphasized the beauty of precious stones and pearls, which could not be said about red and yellow gold.

Since then, white gold has been used to make jewelry: bracelets, earrings, chains, rings, including wedding rings.

In most cases, white gold is mistakenly called platinum or a type of silver. In fact, white gold is an alloy, which, in addition to gold, includes other metals (ligature).

To understand what this type of gold is, you should analyze its composition and assay characteristics.

articles

• Metal composition
• How to distinguish from silver?
• Does gold spoil?

Metal composition

An alloy called white gold contains precious metals that “bleach” the pure gold. We are talking about palladium, platinum, nickel. The composition of white gold will be determined by its sample, which shows the number of grams of gold in one kilogram of the alloy.

1. 375 standard: gold is the lowest quality, since in this alloy it is only 37.5%, the remaining 62.5% comes from other metals - nickel, silver or zinc. It is worth considering that products containing nickel can be harmful to health, since this metal provokes allergies. It has been noted that products made from low-grade gold tend to tarnish when exposed to air.
2. 500 standard: this kind of white gold is not found in jewelry stores, since the alloy contains silver and copper, which give the products an unpleasant yellow tint. In addition, it is difficult for jewelers to work with such an alloy.
3. 585 standard: this white gold can be called the most sought after, since products made from it have an excellent appearance, which is preserved for many years. The alloy often includes nickel, palladium, copper and often platinum.
4. 750 standard: 750 white gold contains 75% of the base, and the remaining 25% is the ligature. The plasticity of metal allows you to create masterpieces in the form of jewelry. Products made of 750-carat white gold are sold in elite jewelry houses.

Every person should know that real white gold cannot have a purity higher than 750. The thing is that part of the gold in the alloy, exceeding 75%, cannot be “bleached” with a ligature, which means the gold will not be white. To obtain such a shade, it is necessary that the percentage of alloy in the alloy exceeds 18.

Some jewelry sellers offer .925 white gold to buyers, although in reality this hallmark only applies to silver.

White gold does not always have a pure color, because the shade of the alloy is determined by the alloy, so it can have slight pinkish, brown and yellowish shades.

To correct color, jewelry is coated with rhodium, a platinum group metal. In addition, the rhodium layer gives the jewelry strength and protects the products from damage and scratches. In addition, rhodium prevents skin contact with nickel, which reduces the risk of allergies to zero.

Despite its strength, the rhodium layer tends to wear off and be destroyed over time by aggressive chemicals used, for example, in everyday life. Therefore, the rhodium layer covering white gold jewelry should be periodically renewed: this procedure is called plating.

How to distinguish from silver?

White gold is very similar in appearance to silver, so without an expert assessment it is almost impossible to distinguish one metal from another. Still, there are some tricks to tell the difference between white gold and silver:

• silver has a cooler tint and dullness, while white gold has a metallic sheen;
• if you run a silver item across a sheet of paper, it will leave a mark on it;
• if you apply two drops of iodine to gold, the metal will not change its color, and the iodine will be easily wiped off (silver or counterfeit gold can most likely turn yellow);
• if a white gold product is placed in a glass of vinegar, then, unlike silver, it will not change its color;
• You can also carry out a test with acid, but it should be noted that after such a test, a trace of the reagent may remain on the product.

When purchasing a white gold product, you should pay attention to the sample size and shape of the mark on the product. All gold products have a mark that resembles a spatula. At the same time, the mark on a silver product has the shape of a barrel.

Still, the most reliable way to verify the authenticity of white gold is to contact a specialist who will accurately determine the type of precious metal.

Does gold spoil?

Many owners of white gold items wonder why gold takes on an unattractive yellow tint? A high-quality precious metal will not change its color or tarnish if it is properly cared for: at least once every two months, washed in soapy water and gently brushed. When working with household chemicals, you should protect jewelry from contact with it.

It is worth considering that manual labor (cleaning, washing), contact of jewelry with aggressive detergents contribute to damage to the rhodium plating, which is why white gold appears to turn yellow. The thing is that rhodium, compared to white gold, has a lighter shade, so the violation of the integrity of the outer layer makes the difference between the shades of both metals noticeable.

The rhodium layer can be restored; to do this, just contact a jeweler. During the process, the worn layer of rhodium is removed and a new coating is applied in its place. If the product has high-quality rhodium plating, then it can be renewed at least once every 5–10 years.

You should purchase gold products in specialized stores, whose employees can demonstrate the necessary documentation for the product being offered. You should not buy jewelry second-hand, as there is a high risk of buying a fake.

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Source: https://DedPodaril.com/zoloto/tipy/beloe-zoloto.html

Gold alloys. How to get colored gold | SOKOLOV Magazine

In the periodic table D.I. Mendeleev gold has the designation Au (Aurum), which translates as “yellow”. However, it is impossible to imagine the modern jewelry industry without precious metals of various shades. What determines the color of gold?

Jewelry alloys

Pure gold does indeed have a bright yellow color, but is used extremely rarely in the jewelry industry. This is a very soft metal, sensitive to mechanical stress. In order to increase the strength and increase the service life of jewelry, gold-containing alloys are used for their manufacture.

In Russia, the composition of precious metal alloys is regulated by GOST 30649-99. The fractional content of pure metal in the alloy is indicated by breakdown. In our country, according to the law “On the procedure for testing and branding products made of precious metals,” gold is assigned 585 and 750 samples. The share of precious metal in jewelry with these samples is 58.5% and 75.0%.

In addition to gold, the alloy contains additional components that determine the color of the future product and are called alloy. The most common are combinations of gold with silver and copper. Less commonly, platinum, palladium and other metals are used as alloys.

A little history

The fact that precious metal can be given a wide range of shades has been known since ancient times. Colored gold was first used in the jewelry industry in the 19th century. This happened in connection with the discovery of new noble metals - osmium, rhodium and palladium. At the same time, experiments began to be carried out to introduce them into precious alloys. Despite the fact that the components were known, the technology of joining metals was kept in the strictest confidence by jewelers.

Already at this time it became clear that the alloy in the alloy affects the color and strength of the products, but not their quality. impurities should not exceed the permissible 0.17%. Therefore, at present, regardless of what metal was used as a master alloy, the general gold-bearing alloy is considered precious.

How to get colored gold

The most traditional shades of gold are red, white and yellow. However, there are many more metal colors.

Yellow gold

These same alloy components, taken in a different ratio, give the metal a bright yellow or lemon tint. With equal proportions of copper and silver, the metal acquires the best casting properties.

Engagement and wedding rings, jewelry with colored precious and semi-precious inserts are made from yellow gold. Products made from this metal are brighter and more expressive.

Brown gold

The metal acquires a beautiful chocolate shade by chemically treating a gold-containing alloy with copper.

Green gold

Oddly enough, silver gives gold its olive-green hue, and to achieve a more saturated emerald color, cadmium is added to the alloy.

In our country, green gold is not traditional. Sometimes floral elements of jewelry compositions are made from it, but still more often an enamel coating is used for this.

Blue gold

Getting a blue or light blue shade of gold is the most secretive. Jewelers do not disclose not only the technology for obtaining the metal, but even the components of the alloy. Experts suggest that the secret of the color transformation lies in the impurities of cobalt or iron. This is a rare case of a two-component alloy.

purple gold

Jewelers call this gold amethyst for its special decorative shade. Most often, aluminum is added to the alloy to achieve the beautiful purple color of the metal. Interestingly, this shade is only possible in an alloy with 750 gold.

Black gold

It turns out that black gold is not only a metaphorical name for oil, but also a real precious metal. There are several known ways to obtain black gold. The first method is to add cobalt and chromium to the alloy and oxidize the metal at high temperature. Also, an unusual shade is achieved by coating red gold with rhodium.

The color of gold can depend not only on the components of the alloy, but also on various chemical influences. Unusual shades are achieved by applying various decorative coatings to metal, as well as as a result of thermal or chemical treatment.

Fashion trends

Combined gold continues to be one of the leading trends in jewelry fashion. Jewelry that combines red and white metal is especially relevant. These alloys are distinguished by their high strength and resistance to external influences, which is why they are used to make jewelry that will delight its owner for many years.

Modern brands create various products from combined gold: with and without inserts, simple and extravagant. Often diamond edges are applied to such jewelry, making the metal more textured.

This season, decorative elements of gold of different shades are combined into something harmonious, making the design of the jewelry more complex.

Source: https://sokolov.ru/blog/about-jewelry/precious-metals/zolotoe-mnogocvetie/

White gold: how it is made, why it is called that, what composition and unique properties it has

Today, white gold is one of the most popular materials in the jewelry industry. This was not always the case: it became fashionable about a hundred years ago, when yellow jewelry began to be considered vulgar and gave way to products of cooler shades. Few could afford them, so such jewelry indicated the high position of their owner.

Alloy composition

Gold in its pure form always has a yellow tint, so you cannot get white without impurities. White gold is not a specific type, but an alloy that can have different compositions. Nickel, platinum and palladium give it its characteristic color. They can be found in different proportions - the price of the product will depend on this.

Some people assume that white gold comes from the addition of silver, but in reality it is added very rarely and in small proportions. It dulls the decoration and deprives it of shine, which is considered a negative characteristic.

The combination of different elements in an alloy is called a master alloy. The composition of the white gold alloy may include the following metals:

• platinum;
• palladium;
• zinc;
• nickel;
• silver;
• bronze and others.

The most expensive alloy is made with platinum and palladium - only well-off people can purchase jewelry from it. But there are other, cheaper varieties - for example, with silver and nickel. However, you should wear such jewelry with caution: nickel may cause an allergic reaction. If the skin in contact with the metal becomes inflamed and red, it is best to discard this product or purchase a more expensive equivalent.

One of the most popular variations of white gold is 585. It includes the traditional 58.5% pure gold, and the remaining elements are copper (no more than 34%) and silver (no more than 7.5%). This alloy is practical because, thanks to the high content of precious metals, it does not fade over time, and copper gives it additional strength, which allows you to use the jewelry for many years.

It is a favorite material and highly prized, so it is not surprising that it is associated with wealth and costliness, although it does not always command a high price. This is also indicated by the famous paraphrase: in a figurative sense, cotton is usually called white gold, showing its value and significance.

Manufacturing process

White gold is made in two main ways. The more expensive alloy, obtained with the addition of platinum, does not require additional processing, so its manufacturing scheme is simple:

1. In industrial conditions, pure gold is melted, which happens quickly, because its melting point is low.
2. Then the ligature is prepared. Metals that will later be included in the alloy are carefully measured so that their content strictly corresponds to the standard. They are also melted and then mixed until a homogeneous mass is formed.
3. The most difficult stage is the last one, where you need to mix the ligature and gold. In this case, all necessary conditions must be observed, otherwise the product will be of poor quality.

This is where the production of the expensive version ends, but with the cheap one everything is somewhat more complicated. It contains nickel, which not only can be an allergen, but also affects the color of the product in a negative way. Therefore, such jewelry is not produced in its natural form. As a rule, they are coated on top with rhodium, an extremely expensive metal that is part of the platinum group. This procedure is called rhodium plating.

After such treatment, the owner of the jewelry will not come into contact with nickel, but with rhodium, so allergies are excluded. Sometimes this metal is included in an alloy, then the coating is made of ruthenium, which is part of the same platinum group, but is more common and has a lower price.

However, rhodium-plated products have disadvantages, and the main one is the coating that gradually wears off. It is best not to wear them every day, putting them on only for the most special moments. This way the original look will last longer.

Various shades

Depending on the added metals and their proportions, white gold of different shades is obtained:

• to get the classic white color, an alloy of 14% palladium, 7% silver and 4% nickel is used, sometimes not irradiated;
• a high silver content - usually 25% - gives the product a green tint;
• to obtain an alloy with a yellow tint, 15% silver and 10% copper are added to it;
• a more saturated red color is given by a high copper content - 21% - with a lower proportion of silver - 4%;
• gold of an exotic bluish or black hue can be obtained using complex technological processes involving rhodium, which significantly increases the price of the final product.

There are a lot of variations, which allows you to combine them with various precious stones to create unique jewelry. However, the traditional white color is most valued.

Metal samples

When talking about the quality of jewelry, the standard of the metal from which it is made is usually mentioned, but not everyone understands what exactly this term means. The hallmark (or hallmark) shows the gold content of the alloy. The most common is 585, which contains 58.5% gold.

Since all high-quality products have a certain standard, it is easy to guess that nothing can be made from pure gold without impurities. This is true: although this metal is popular and highly valued, it is not so easy to work with. It is too soft and pliable and easily deformed even in everyday conditions. Therefore, jewelry made from it in its pure form would be fragile and short-lived.

There are many samples of gold , but here are the most famous ones, which are easy to find for sale in any jewelry store:

• 375 - due to the low content of gold itself (37.5%), products on which this sample is applied are considered the least valuable. They usually contain a considerable proportion of nickel, which can cause certain problems. There are other varieties of 375 standard, which use an alloy made of more precious metals. A definite advantage of such jewelry is their price: they are accessible to almost all segments of the population.
• 500 is a rare standard in which the gold part is exactly half. It is not often used for several reasons. Firstly, the high proportions of silver and copper included in the composition give the alloy shades that are not very pleasing to the eye. Secondly, the very structure of the material is such that it is difficult to work with. It will most likely not be possible to cast something cute and elegant out of it.
• 585 is the most commonly used grade with 58.5% gold. It has become so widespread due to the successful combination of a pleasant appearance and the possibility of long-term use.
• 750 is the highest standard for white gold and, accordingly, the most expensive. It contains 75% pure aurum, which makes such jewelry particularly fragile and vulnerable to any external influences. Those who acquire them should remember that they require careful care. This alloy is very highly valued and therefore is found in the collections of famous jewelry manufacturers: Bulgari, Tiffany and others.

How to spot a fake

When purchasing expensive jewelry, you always want to be sure that white gold is the real material and not a cheap imitation. There are several simple ways to check what elements a piece of jewelry is made of.

The first thing to do is check the hallmark to see if it is present and looks right. However, this method is not the most effective these days, when it is not so difficult to fake markings. Even if it exists, it could well have been stamped using special equipment.

To understand whether sellers are selling cheaper silver for white gold, you need to take a closer look at it. Despite the admixtures of metals with cold undertones, the color of gold will still be overall warm. If nothing of the kind is noticeable and only cool shades are visible in the color scheme, most likely it is silver.

There is a more reliable way to check: run the product across a sheet of white paper. Silver jewelry will leave a noticeable mark on it, while gold jewelry will leave the sheet clean.

Another simple way to distinguish fake gold from real gold is to buy a lapis pencil at the pharmacy, moisten it in water and run it over the metal. If the alloy is genuine, there will be no traces left on it.

Real gold jewelry can be placed in vinegar for a while and it will not change in appearance, which cannot be said about a fake - its color will change.

Another chemical reaction that can be easily done at home requires the use of iodine. You need to drop a minimal amount of this substance onto the surface of the gold and wipe it off immediately. If the jewelry is genuine, it will look the same as before, but a small mark will remain on the fake one.

Finally, a method that does not always work in the modern world involves using a magnet. Precious metals are not attracted to it, so a reaction to it means there is an impurity in the composition. However, nickel, which is quite often used to create the alloy, reacts to a magnet. But still, its percentage is usually low, and the product should not be attracted quickly and strongly. If this happens, it is highly likely to be a fake.

Advantages and disadvantages

Whether it is worth buying products made from this metal and why, everyone will decide for themselves. But it is still necessary to note some features that can influence the choice in one direction or another.

Products made from precious metals delight their owners with unique properties that allow them to wear such jewelry for many years and even pass it on from generation to generation. If the alloy contains platinum, the advantages of use will be felt especially well, since both this metal and gold do not react with alkalis and acids. Thanks to this, the item will last a long time and will be slightly susceptible to corrosion.

In addition, this combination of metals has high strength and wear resistance. The owner will have little chance of scratching the jewelry , breaking off a piece from it, or otherwise mechanically damaging it. Water and air, which constantly affect jewelry, will also not have a significant effect on the condition of the jewelry.

But there are also disadvantages that you should remember when choosing. When buying a variation containing platinum, you will have to spend a lot of money, because such an alloy is even more expensive than regular gold. It is best to purchase such things in specialized jewelry stores designed for respectable clients, so as not to stumble upon a fake.

If the choice fell on a less expensive rhodium-plated product, it is worth remembering that the outer layer will thin out over time, and the type of decoration will change. This coating can always be updated by contacting a jeweler, but this will cost additional money.

Use Cases

White metal is so popular precisely because it has virtually no restrictions on its use. Jewelry made from it can be of any size and shape and still look great.

Earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, chains and other accessories of any complexity are made from it. It goes well with any precious stones, but diamonds or moonstone look especially elegant when framed with it.

Both men and women of any age can wear such jewelry. It is also suitable for small children who are just beginning to form their preferences. And if some more traditional options - for example, gold in the usual yellow shade - may become outdated over time , then the stylish white color will never go out of fashion.

Source: https://zolotogid.ru/metally/beloe-zoloto/

White gold composition, history and application

Some people believe that white gold is platinum, and some that it is a rare type of silver. It is actually an alloy of gold with some metals that give it a white color. Sometimes white gold is called electrum (electrum), a natural alloy of gold (from 16 to 69%) with silver.

In the jewelry industry, pure gold is never used. An item, such as a ring made of pure gold, would be so soft that even an ordinary handshake could cause it to deform. For this reason, all jewelry gold is mixed with other metals, maintaining certain proportions.

These “other metals” (ligature) determine the degree of strength and shade of the future decoration. Platinum, palladium, nickel, silver and zinc are used to produce white gold. The addition of nickel and silver to white gold is typical for jewelry in the lower price category. A more expensive option is an alloy of gold with platinum and palladium. Such jewelry can only be found in the most elite jewelry stores, since their prices are comparable to the cost of products made from platinum itself.

By adding 8% platinum, gold acquires an unfading white color and excellent performance properties, such as strength and resistance to the external environment. In 585 gold, the ligature can be up to 41.5%, so platinum is supplemented with another metal - for example, silver. This white gold is distinguished by its noble shine, ideal whiteness, and impeccable strength characteristics.

Platinum is the most expensive of the precious metals, but jewelry made from it has not become as popular as gold, and it is also too expensive. We can say that white gold imitates platinum, but is much cheaper.

White gold containing palladium has a steel-white tint, platinum gives the alloy a white color more intensely than palladium, nickel gives the alloy a subtle yellowish tint, and if there is a rhodium plating, the product gives off a cold blue color.

White gold produced using nickel is the most inexpensive and yet has a strong resemblance to platinum. But such similarity can only be achieved when using high-grade gold, and using gold of 585 and below does not give a good result.

WHITE GOLD - NOBLE AND INOBLE

Depending on the components of the jewelry alloy, white gold can be either “noble” or “base.” There are simply no precious metals in “base” white gold, except for the gold itself, of course. Nickel is most often used as an alloy.

Medical research in recent years has shown that nickel can cause allergic reactions upon contact with skin, so since January 2000, the European Union has introduced standards that limit its content in jewelry and coins. Increasingly, nickel in white gold is being replaced by palladium.

However, for many of its characteristics, nickel remains irreplaceable. Thus, it is much harder than palladium and polishes well. Therefore, its use allows you to create original jewelry with complex designs. The “ignobility” of white gold with nickel is also explained by the yellowish tint of the metal.

In “noble” white gold, in addition to the gold itself, the alloy contains palladium or platinum. Palladium costs about the same as gold and gives the alloy the necessary strength. Platinum is an ideal option for the production of white gold. It “bleaches” yellow gold better than others, giving the alloy strength and a pale shade of natural nobility. It is this white gold that has the highest cost and has the most impeccable characteristics.

COATING

Despite its name, white gold is not always white. Depending on the ligature, pale yellow, pale pink and even pale brown shades are found. To achieve a bright white color, the finished product is plated with rhodium. It has the purest white color and is very hard. That is why rhodium plating gives the product a pure whiteness and improves its durability.

Rhodium is a platinum group metal, which, like platinum, is noticeably more expensive than gold. Coating with it increases the hardness of jewelry, protects it from scratches and prevents the nickel contained in white gold from coming into contact with the skin, thereby eliminating allergic reactions.

It is recommended to protect jewelry made from precious metals in every possible way from frequent contact with water and aggressive chemical environments. White gold is so delicate that even bleach in tap water can harm it. Rhodium plating is resistant to various external influences, but also wears out, and therefore it is sometimes recommended to carry out the re-plating procedure.

The history of white gold

White gold began to be used in products about a hundred years ago, at the very beginning of the twentieth century. In order to best show the shine and shimmer of precious stones, a white frame is needed. Previously, silver and platinum were used as frames.

However, silver tends to oxidize quickly, and platinum, on the one hand, is a fairly expensive metal (more expensive than gold), and on the other hand, it is very refractory, which significantly complicates working with it. To replace them, a white gold alloy was developed.

White gold has a well-chosen composition and is not inferior in appearance to platinum, but it is cheaper, much more convenient to process, and therefore can be used to make jewelry with complex shapes.

Application

Depending on the alloy, the properties of white gold can be different and, accordingly, it can be used for different purposes: hard and durable ones are used for rings and pins, alloys with palladium are well suited for inserts with precious stones. Diamond jewelry is often made from white gold. It is believed that a frame made from it reflects the shine of these stones well, does not distort their color and creates the effect of additional lighting.

Over the past few years, white gold wedding rings have become extremely popular. They serve as an excellent setting not only for diamonds and sapphires, but also for less expensive stones. These wedding rings are not only unusual, but also very fashionable.

The number of earring models made of white gold is enormous. They pair best with clear or black diamonds, as well as dark blue sapphires. Earrings made of white gold with black pearls look rich; such jewelry will add zest to your style and emphasize your elegance.

White gold and diamond bracelets have become very popular recently. They are certain symbols of style, grace, wealth and also look original. Such bracelets are absolutely neutral and will suit most, which cannot be said about traditional precious metal. White gold suits everyone because it doesn’t stick out.

White gold is widely used in combination with other types of gold. Pendants and brooches, earrings and pendants in white with black or rose gold look great. White gold gives jewelers the opportunity to fantasize and embody their ideas in their works, creating masterpieces.

It finds its application in both strict classical and modern extraordinary jewelry design. The price of such products includes not only the cost of precious stones and materials, but also the work of designers and jewelers.

Therefore, their cost can reach truly exorbitant heights.

DIFFERENCE WHITE GOLD FROM SILVER

Externally, white gold is very similar to silver. Only the latter is several times cheaper. Many scammers often counterfeit white gold, replacing it with silver. There are several good ways to distinguish white gold from silver. Any product made of white gold or silver must have a hallmark. If it is 925, it is either silver or a fake.

White gold comes in 585 standard, or 750 if it is jewelry with stones. White gold shines much brighter, but if a silver item is plated with rhodium, then it is more difficult to distinguish them externally. Gold and silver differ from each other in density. You can determine the volume of the product by lowering it into a beaker and weighing it on an accurate scale. Calculate the density and compare with the “correct” densities of metals.

But this is if the product does not contain stones.

Silver is softer and can leave a mark if you drag it across paper. Gold is harder and its color is not as cold as the color of silver.

Gold is not afraid of acids and alkalis. Keep it in a glass of vinegar for some time. If the color remains the same, you have real gold, but if it changes or the liquid becomes cloudy, it is either a fake or there are too many impurities in the gold. You can test gold with other reagents.

The most accessible and safest is iodine. Apply it to the product; if the gold contains many impurities or is not real, the iodine will immediately react and color the product. Real gold should only be wiped and no trace of iodine will remain.

White gold products, like any other precious things, should never be purchased secondhand or on the market.

Source: https://mir-fin.ru/beloe_zoloto.html

White gold - what is it? White gold jewelry:

Modern knowledge about precious metals and the impeccable taste of specialists allow us to produce real masterpieces of jewelry. White precious metals are especially noble. For more than two decades now, the fashion for white gold has increased. At first glance, products made from it look like metal. It is very easy to confuse it with silver.

But one cannot fail to note the elegance, style and grace of white gold products. This alloy perfectly frames diamonds, emeralds, topazes, and sapphires. Its matte and discreet shade emphasizes the expressiveness of the stones and does not lose its brightness.

What are the signs of white gold, how to distinguish it from silver or platinum? We offer you an exciting journey into the world of white gold jewelry.

What is white gold?

Since ancient times, people have made friends with the alluring yellow metal. Gold has become a means of investment, as well as a material for making jewelry. Today there is yellow, pink, white and even green gold.

Such shades were achieved using alloys of gold with other metals. White gold - what is it? This question interests many readers. This is an alloy based on gold with the addition of some white metal. Palladium, nickel, and platinum are most often added.

Thanks to this mixing, white color is obtained.

If you don’t know what white gold is, then you will find the exact answer to your question below. The fact that this is an alloy is already clear. Why can it be more expensive or cheaper? It all depends on what metal is added to the alloy.

The cheapest option is to mix gold with nickel. This alloy has a yellowish tint. But since nickel can cause allergies in many people, it is replaced with palladium. This combination gives a matte shade with a bluish tint.

More expensive jewelry made of white gold with the addition of platinum.

It is worth noting that products made from white precious metal are universal. They are worn every day, worn for special occasions, work, and leisure. Rings, bracelets, and chains made of white gold look very elegant and sophisticated.

Nobility and price of white metal

There is an opinion that white gold is an alloy that is more noble than yellow. It is important to note that only the sample indicates the nobleness of the metal. A higher purity indicates a higher gold content in the alloy. Most often, jewelry is made in 750 and 585 samples. This means that the alloy consists of 75% or 58.5% gold, the rest being additives (palladium, zinc, silver, platinum). Naturally, the 750 alloy is more expensive and noble.

How much does a gram of white gold cost? The price for 585 samples ranges from 2800 rubles. up to 6500 rub. per gram. Please note that the price of the product includes not only weight, but also inserts and complexity of work. The cost of 750 samples is 4000 rubles. and higher per gram.

A rare guest on Russian jewelry counters is 375-carat white gold. But the British and Americans mostly only use such a sample. This alloy is very wear-resistant and durable. At the end, such products are also coated with rhodium, which gives them a special shine. Jewelry 375 is the most affordable. The cost of such low-grade metal in Russia ranges from 2000 to 3500 rubles. per gram. Often such products are inlaid with precious inserts.

Popularity of noble white metal

White gold became fashionable in some European countries at the beginning of the last century. One reason is that it is more durable than yellow. Many master jewelers use white alloy for diamond jewelry. Diamonds on white metal appear more expressive, transparent, without a yellow tint. Any precious stone is highlighted with the marvelous shine of white metal.

Many world jewelry designers prefer to work with white gold. Combinations with metals of other shades are practiced to create real masterpieces of jewelry. The combination of white alloy with black is all the rage. This option can be called royal.

White gold products are suitable for any clothing, any hair and eye color. They are not flashy, calm, as real jewelry should be. They have some kind of grandeur and coolness. If yellow metal has the radiance of the sun, then white metal has lunar nobility.

Differences from silver and platinum

Why is white metal more expensive than red or yellow? The fact is that silver is most often added to its production. It is more expensive than copper, which is mixed into the red or yellow alloy. Many people confuse white gold with silver or platinum.

What are the differences between these metals? Experts believe that it is incorrect to compare them with each other. Silver products, for example, are less shiny than gold ones. But if silver is plated with rhodium, which is often done, then it is very difficult to distinguish it from white gold.

The main difference is the price.

Experts distinguish gold from silver by density by weighing them on precise scales. Silver is softer and lighter.

What is special about platinum jewelry? Firstly, platinum is not an alloy, but a pure metal with a silver-gray tint. Platinum is stronger and more wear-resistant, but has special ductility. It does not warp as much as softer gold jewelry.

Today, platinum is three times more expensive than gold. This indicator was not always the case: in the last century it was valued cheaper even than silver. Even if you look at the hallmark of platinum jewelry, you will see the following indicators: 850, 900, 950. White gold cannot have such a hallmark.

White gold chains

Chains have long been a stylish and noble decoration. A white gold chain looks especially impressive on tanned skin. Thanks to the contrast and subtle play of silver tints, it has a magnetic appearance on the neck.

Chains made of white noble alloy are worn by both women and men. Women's products are distinguished by their sophistication and openwork weaving. Men's chains are denser and more massive, they do not have any elaborate frills.

White gold chains come in long and short, thin and wide, and in various weaves. For open cutouts, choose products up to 45-50 cm long. Long chains are worn over clothing. Elegant thin jewelry is suitable for fragile girls, voluminous jewelry is worn by women with curves. The chain that will be complemented by the pendant should be 2-3 times heavier than it.

It is not so difficult visually to distinguish a gold chain from a silver one. The silver product is more matte, while the gold product has a slight shine.

The benefits of white wedding rings

Rings are an essential attribute of any wedding ritual. Their modern range surprises with a variety of models. White gold wedding rings are especially popular today. These can be classic smooth models, as well as rings with engraving and inserts of diamonds or cubic zirconia. Combined models that combine red and white gold are distinguished by their originality.

Many young couples prefer textured products. Such rings can have a wavy, matte or pebbled surface. Designer wedding rings made of white gold are particularly original. There are models in the form of nuts, tires, crowns.

White gold crosses and pendants

Pendants, pendants and crosses made of white gold have long been in demand and popular. On the fashion pedestal are 585-carat jewelry. Small original pendants or crosses made of white gold will become an appropriate accessory even for office style.

Crosses generally have a deep and multifaceted meaning. There are many legends, stories, and traditions associated with them. Many people buy them not only for aesthetic, but also for spiritual purposes. Crosses made of white gold, inlaid with cubic zirconia, are a real work of jewelry craftsmanship.

Noble gold earrings

White gold earrings occupy a special place among jewelry. Such an acquisition is considered an indicator of the good taste and high status of its owner. Feminine and elegant, white alloy earrings effectively highlight the color of your eyes. Such products can be matched to the color of makeup or clothing, because this metal is beautifully inlaid with multi-colored stones. The catalogs contain white gold earrings of various styles and shapes.

Products with diamonds

The leader in veneration in the world is white gold with diamonds. This combination is a symbol of personal success and well-being. White alloy diamond jewelry is a wonderful calling card for any society. Precious stones are favorably set off by the soft shine of the noble metal. White gold very subtly reveals the play of light of diamonds.

Source: https://www.syl.ru/article/363438/beloe-zoloto---chto-eto-takoe-ukrasheniya-iz-belogo-zolota

Composition, advantages and disadvantages of white gold

White gold is an alloy of several elements that has characteristic properties and is used to make jewelry. Many people believe that jewelry made from this alloy has a higher value - this is partly true if the ligature contains platinum or elements of this group.

White gold ring with cubic zirconia

Products of this shade gained popularity at the beginning of the 20th century. It was at this time that the yellow color of the precious metal began to be considered vulgar, and cool-colored jewelry just appeared and immediately became fashionable. The presence of such jewelry was considered a sign of wealth and high position in society.

What does the alloy consist of?

The composition of white gold can be different; the ligature is prepared using several elements:

1. Zinc.
2. Nickel.
3. Silver.
4. Platinum.

In addition to yellow gold, base metals can be added to the alloy. In this case, the shade of the alloy will change and a cold shine will appear. Zinc and nickel can act as such elements.

As for nickel, this metal not only gives jewelry the desired shade, but also makes the alloy more durable and wear-resistant. But there is also a negative side: when adding nickel to the alloy, a person may develop an allergy to metals.

In Europe, the use of nickel is limited by law - if the ligature contains too much of this element, the jewelry will not be certified. The reason is that at the beginning of the 20th century in Europe, jewelry containing nickel was widely sold. As a result, many people experienced an allergic reaction to the metal and paid with their health.

Since 2000, the amount of nickel in the master alloy has been strictly regulated by law. And they decided to add platinum or palladium to the alloy instead of nickel.

Silver is another element in the alloy. If there is too much silver, the product will have a matte tint.

White gold as a material for making jewelry has unique properties. The metal is strong, ductile and wear-resistant, it tolerates moisture well and is not afraid of contact with reagents. The reason for the appearance of such properties is not only gold, but also platinum - this element is added to the ligature to give jewelry a cold tint and other chemical and physical properties.

Three colors of gold

If the ligature contains only silver, zinc and nickel, then the shade of the jewelry will be far from ideal. Products are usually coated with a layer of rhodium before being sold.

Rhodium plating is the application of a coating to jewelry made from an alloy of silver, gold and other base metals. Rhodium is used more often than other elements for this purpose.

Rhodium is a platinum group element and is mined during the development of ore deposits. The metal is very expensive and no more than 3 tons are mined per year all over the world. Rhodium plating gives jewelry a cool tint, shine and makes it durable, wear-resistant, resistant to environmental factors and mechanical damage.

Rhodium plating is often applied to jewelry made from yellow metal. Cover fasteners and places where stones are attached to strengthen the product and protect it from environmental factors.

So, what is called white gold:

• an alloy of nickel, zinc, silver and Au;
• an alloy of platinum, silver and Au.

By studying reviews, you can find information that the price per gram of white metal is higher than the cost of gold. Many people are interested in the question of why this happens.

White gold wedding rings

Au costs less than platinum - everyone knows this, so if the alloy contains platinum, the cost of the products will be higher. A stamp will help identify the element in jewelry. If the jewelry contains platinum, then a rectangular stamp is placed on it.

If jewelry is made of nickel, zinc, silver and Au, then their cost will not differ from products made of yellow metal of the corresponding standard.

What determines the cost of a product per gram:

1. Weight of jewelry.
2. Presence of stones.
3. Sample and stamp.

Don’t forget that the price of jewelry depends on the manufacturer, and the retailer also places a markup on the product.

The cost of jewelry is determined depending on the weight of the product, as well as the percentage of precious metals in the alloy. For example, a ring or earrings of 585 standard will cost less than the same product of 750 standard.

The 585 sample of gold contains 58.5% of the precious element, and the 750 sample contains 75% Au. Naturally, this affects the cost of jewelry.

How to make white gold, which does not cause allergies:

• if the jewelry does not contain platinum, then the product is coated with rhodium;
• Rhodium can be present in the alloy as one of the elements; ruthenium can replace this metal.

Ruthenium is a platinum group element, but it is cheaper and more widely available.

If there is no platinum or elements of this group in the ligature, then the jewelry is coated with rhodium - this metal allows you to avoid allergies.

The cool shade is loved by jewelers, and for this reason, an alloy of this color is often used to make jewelry. In addition, the color of the metal goes well with precious stones.

What stones are suitable?

There are several stones that are invariably encrusted with jewelry made from this material. Most often, white gold is decorated with:

• diamonds;
• sapphires;
• emeralds;
• cubic zirconias.

Pairs perfectly with diamonds. The hint of gold helps give the stones color and shine. Jewelry inlaid with these stones looks very impressive. At the same time, the color of diamonds does not matter much. Jewelers use stones of any color and shade; black diamonds set in white gold look especially good.

Sapphires and emeralds also pair well with the shine of Au. The metal complements the natural shine of the stones and makes them more noticeable. In most cases, jewelers use large stones, so the cost of such jewelry is quite high.

Cubic zirconia can also be used as a supplement. These stones are used to decorate jewelry just like diamonds; naturally, the shine of such products is not as good, but the cost is quite reasonable.

Jewels are also inlaid with opal - the white color goes well with the color of the stone and complements its shine. Opal is one of those stones that is not very expensive, but can be used for inlaying white gold jewelry.

Advantages and disadvantages

Jewelry made from precious metals can delight the owner with unique properties. If the alloy contains platinum and Au, then the products will differ:

1. Wear resistance and strength.
2. Resistant to environmental factors and reagents.

Platinum and Au are inert elements that do not react with acids and alkalis. Metals tolerate moisture well and dissolve only in a mixture of acids. If there are two metals in the ligature, then the products will last a long time, they are not afraid of mechanical damage, chips and scratches.

Typically, plaque forms on the surface of a metal during the oxidation process. Platinum and Au do not oxidize because they do not interact with acids; water cannot harm the elements, like air. The more of these elements in jewelry, the longer they will serve the owner faithfully.

These are the main advantages, but there are also disadvantages, which include:

• cost of products;
• thinning of the coating.

If the jewelry contains platinum, then it will be quite expensive. You can purchase the product in a special store, which is aimed at customers who have the opportunity to buy an expensive product.

If the surface of the jewelry is plated with rhodium, it may become thinner over time. The coating can be renewed, but to do this you will have to contact a jeweler and pay him money.

White gold is a capricious material: despite its properties and noble origin, jewelry made from ligature should be protected from:

1. Water containing chlorine.
2. From cleaning products.

For this reason, jewelry made from this alloy should be removed before visiting the pool or gym, protected from reagents and cleaned using special pastes.

Other shades

In addition to white, you can find decorations in other shades:

• red or pink;
• green;
• black or blue.

Red or pink color can be obtained by adding copper to the ligature. This element will give the products a characteristic shade. The more copper in the alloy, the richer the color of the metal.

The green color is obtained if silver is present in the alloy. This element gives the products the desired shade. In addition to silver, other metals may also be included in the alloy.

Blue or black gold is obtained in a special way. Rhodium is also involved in the process, so the price for products of this shade is quite high.

White is a universal color for gold also because it goes perfectly with skin, hair and eyes of any shade. This means that jewelry made from this alloy is suitable for everyone.

Source: https://HochuZoloto.com/splavy/beloe-zoloto.html