What Is White Gold Jewelry?
Gold, throughout history, has been one of the most valued products in the world. It is revered because of its unique properties and its brilliant, yellow shine and luster. Because of its yellow shine, people ask them selves, “What is white gold?” It appears that statement contradicts the property gold is most known for, its yellow glow. Does this Spark an idea?
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White Gold
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White gold is an alloy (a mixture of two or more metals) of gold mixed with some other white metal, such as silver or palladium. After the alloy is formed, the jewelry is coated in rhodium. In the process of making 18kt white gold, a jeweler would mix 75 percent of yellow gold with silver or palladium. This is the base of high quality white gold. The next step is to coat the gold/white metal alloy in rhodium.
Rhodium
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Rhodium shares many properties with platinum. By nature, it is very white in color and very hard. Rhodium is less expensive then platinum, and allows white gold jewelry to be less expensive then platinum jewelry.
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Care
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White gold is just like yellow gold in that it lasts for years, and is very durable. However, the rhodium plating on white gold can wear away. Re-plating of white gold every 12 to 18 months is recommended to keep the white shine on the jewelry. Most quality jewelry stores can re-plate white gold very cost effectively.
Use
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White gold is used for all types of jewelry. Consumers can find watches, rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces and broaches all made out of white gold. Wedding bands and rings are made with this precious metallic alloy, These wedding rings have great advantage because they have the near brilliance of platinum without the cost.
Availability
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Consumers have greatly accepted white gold as a viable metal for jewelry, and it can be found at nearly all quality jewelry providers.
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