subject: White Gold Jewelry, Popular And Versatile [print this page] White gold jewelry is becoming increasingly popular on the market today. Learning a bit about what white gold is helps to explain why the jewelry is worn by so many people.
White gold is created by adding metals such as silver, nickel and zinc to naturally occurring yellow gold to create a white color. In addition, white gold is often covered with a thin plating of rhodium (a type of platinum) in order to strengthen the gold and give it a whiter appearance. One caution about this type of white gold jewelry: over time the outer plating can wear off, revealing the yellow color underneath.
The same quality measurements are true of white gold as they are of yellow gold - carat weight reflects the percentage of pure gold and the percentage of alloys in any particular piece of white gold jewelry. 24 carat gold is 100 percent pure gold. Its extreme softness makes it inappropriate for most jewelry. 18 carat gold is therefore 75 percent gold and 25 percent alloy metals, and so forth. The most popular carat weights for jewelry are 14 and 18.
White gold alloys can be used for different purposes - a gold-nickel alloy is hard, strong and therefore good for rings and pins, while a white gold-palladium alloy is soft, malleable, and perfect for white gold jewelry diamond and other gemstone settings.
Sure to attract attention because of its brilliant color and sparkle, white gold jewelry is available in many classic, elegant, and sophisticated designs, allowing it to be worn with any attire from blue jeans to an evening gown. White gold jewelry with the addition of diamonds or other gemstones becomes even more dazzling. From classic, demure pearls to passionate rubies, gemstones add their own particular qualities to rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants, and charms.
In closing, white gold jewelry is sure to catch the eye and the envy of those who appreciate fine jewelry, and often can be purchased at a lower price than yellow gold jewelry.
