Bright and white - a pure delight!

White gold is an exceptionally popular choice for jewellery - but it can often be mistaken for silver or platinum. It’s important to know all about white gold, before you decide if it is right for you.

What is white gold?

All gold is mixed with other metals when it is being made into jewellery to give it strength and solidity, because pure gold in its finest form is too soft for everyday wear.

To create white gold, pure yellow gold is mixed with other white metals such as nickel, silver and palladium. It’s purity is measured in carats ‘ct’, the same way as all other gold.

White gold jewellery is also usually given a rhodium coating, sometimes called ‘rhodium plating’ which gives it a protective coating and also a lustrous, shiny appearance.

The history of white gold

White gold, as we know it today, was invented in the 19th century but did not become widely popular until the 1920s as an alternative to platinum. This is because during the world wars, platinum (which was previously a popular choice for jewellers) was required by the military. Because its melting temperature is so high - more than 1700° Celcius - it was used in aircraft engines.

Stunning … and strong

While white gold is also exceptionally strong - much stronger and more durable than yellow gold, it is a great choice for everyday jewellery, engagement rings and wedding bands. Although its colour does start to fade after a lot of wear and tear, regular rhodium plating is recommended to keep it looking its best.

While white gold has the same appearance as silver, it is more affordable and much more hard-wearing than silver, and it looks stunning set as any type of jewellery, with any stone.

Rhodium plating and the underlying yellow tinge

Over time it is normal for your white gold ring to have an underlying yellow tinge to it, this is perfectly normal as remember your ring is made from what was originally Gold in its finest form.

Hence the reason why we as Jewellers Rhodium plate pieces of jewellery to ensure the jewellery looks nice and white and bright. Usually you will need this upkeep every year and although it is a yearly expense of around $100 it is good to have a reminder as your jewellery should have a clean and checked over by a qualified jeweller every year to check for any loose stones. Contact Nique Jewellery to have your white gold items cleaned and checked.

Is white the right choice?

When it comes to engagement and wedding rings, white gold has seen a surge in popularity over the past several years, and this is largely because white gold has become ‘more fashionable’, but also because white gold settings offset diamonds in a different way than yellow gold. Here’s why: Diamonds can tend to ‘pick up’ or reflect the colour of the setting they are in, so when set in white gold, they tend to look larger and brighter.

Choosing the colour of your setting is very much a personal choice and depends on whether you want a brooch, cufflinks, earrings, a necklace or a ring! Ultimately it’s a decision that needs to be made with both your gemstone and design in mind, and the choices really are endless, but that’s the fun of creating a bespoke piece of jewellery.

We’d love to talk to you about what you want and need, and create the perfect piece that you will love to wear for a lifetime.