Informational Articals - Gold - White Gold

Almost everyone is familiar with the precious metal known as gold. However there is a less common alternative out there called white gold that is a combination of real gold and a white metal that could be silver or another type of metal. The value of white gold depends on how many carats the weight is and the actual combination of metals that it consists of. Real gold can have a maximum weight of 24 carats but white gold only has a maximum weight of 17 carats.

White gold is every bit as pretty as real gold but it often loses its luster and shine after a while. You can take care of this by routinely cleaning the white gold and then adding a layer of rhodium to it. Many people find they are allergic to white gold though due to the nickel it contains. Many women experience this type of reaction while they are pregnant due to the various changes taking place in their body.

White gold is a common type of metal used for engagement rings. It costs much less than real gold but it is very pretty. If you choose this type of metal for an engagement ring make sure it doesn’t contain nickel and that it has a thick coating of rhodium on it. This will ensure the person you give it to doesn’t experience a bad reaction to it and that the shine lasts for years.

Today most jewelry that is made from white gold is combined with palladium because it isn’t know to cause any bad reactions. However the cost of palladium has continued to increase so sometimes white gold jewelry is more expensive than real gold rings. Still many people seem to prefer the unique look and style of white gold over traditional gold. They are requesting their wedding rings to be set with this particular combination of precious metals.

To help ensure you get the best quality of white gold jewelry only purchase it from reputable jewelry shops that have been in business for quite some time. You want the product to be very durable and hold up to everyday wear. You also want to buy it from a jewelry store that will honor adding a new layer of rhodium every year or so at a minimal charge or for free. This will help your white gold jewelry maintain its amazing look.