When we welcome customers into our workshop for jewellery consultations, we often get asked questions like ‘what is white gold?’, ‘is white gold real gold?’ and ‘how does white gold compare to silver?’.
Today we’re answering all of most commonly-asked questions about white gold, to uncover what it is, how it’s made, how it compares to other metals and more. We’ll also be sharing our recommendations for ethical white gold jewellery, made here in our London workshop to help you make a sustainable choice when shopping for your next special piece.
What is white gold & what is it made from?
White gold is a precious metal alloy, which means it is a blend of pure yellow gold and silver-toned metals like palladium, platinum or silver.
Some white gold appears bright white and silvery, while some appear darker and grey-toned - like yellow gold, the exact shade of the white gold depends it’s carat, which is the ratio of pure gold to alloy metal. For example, 9ct white gold contains 37.4% pure gold and appears lighter in colour, while 18ct white gold contains 75% pure gold, and appears slightly greyer/darker.
You can read more about gold’s purity levels in our guide to hallmarks here.
How is white gold made?
To create white gold, the pure yellow gold and chosen silver-toned alloy metals are melted together and poured into moulds. As above, the ratios used in the mixture depends on the desired carat (purity) of the white gold.
White gold is then sometimes plated in rhodium, which adds a bright white finish to the alloy, however, some jewellers prefer to skip this step.
Why is white gold coated in rhodium?
White gold is typically plated in rhodium to enhance its bright white colour. Without rhodium plating, white gold often still has a yellow-y tint to it, due to the pure yellow gold within it. Some jewellers like to plate their white gold with rhodium, which is a vibrant white-toned metal from the platinum family, to create a brighter, mirror-shine silvery appearance.
It’s important to note that rhodium plating can wear off over time, and will need to be re-applied yearly to maintain the white gold’s bright white colour. Rhodium re-plating is usually easily accessible and affordable for the consumer, but this is something to consider if you are choosing white gold for your jewellery.
Are our white gold jewellery pieces rhodium-plated?
At Wild Fawn, our white gold is not rhodium-plated. We choose not to rhodium-plate our white gold pieces for a number of reasons, the primary one being that rhodium plating is not considered sustainable. From the start, sustainability has always been at the heart of what we do at Wild Fawn, and rhodium-plating’s need for frequent re-plating, use of toxic chemicals during the electroplating, and environmental impact from mining do not align with our priority for only creating ethical, sustainable jewellery. We also love naturally-occuring subtle warm hue that white gold has, and believe its tone is beautiful left as it is.
Is white gold real gold?
Yes - white gold is real gold because it contains a percentage pure gold. White gold is upheld to the same standards as yellow gold, and must be hallmarked to ensure its purity and authenticity.
How does white gold compare to other metals?
White gold vs yellow gold
The difference between white gold and yellow gold is the types of metals it is alloyed with - these determine its white or yellow colour.
White gold is a mixture of pure yellow gold and white-toned metals such as silver, palladium or platinum, while yellow gold gets its colour from the natural yellow shade of pure gold plus warmer-toned copper it’s alloyed with. Yellow gold also generally contains cooler-toned metals like silver and zinc for brightness, tarnish resistance and workability, but it’s the pure gold and copper that creates the yellowy, buttery finish.
White gold vs silver
While similar in appearance, white gold and silver are very different metals. White gold is more valuable due to its pure gold content, making it also more durable and tarnish- resistant, while silver is more affordable but softer, meaning it’s more prone to scratches and tarnishing.
Sterling silver has a naturally bright, lustrous colour, while white gold can sometimes have a subtle warmth to it if not rhodium plated.
White gold vs platinum
The main difference between white gold and platinum is their composition; while white gold contains a mixture of pure yellow gold and white metals to create its white appearance (either warm white, or bright white if rhodium-plated), platinum is typically 95% pure and naturally a cool grey-white colour.
Platinum is a dense metal, meaning it is extremely strong and resistant to wear, and is considered more durable than white gold. Platinum is also considered truly hypoallergenic due to its high purity, making it a popular choice for those with metal sensitivities - however white gold with a higher carat (18) is also generally suitable for those with sensitive skin.
In terms of value, platinum is generally more expensive than white gold upfront, however if your white gold is rhodium-plated, it may eventually overtake the cost of platinum over your lifetime from yearly replating.
Where can I buy white gold jewellery?
If you are looking for your next white gold piece of jewellery, we’re proud to offer a beautiful selection of ethical, sustainable 9ct white gold jewellery and 18ct white gold jewellery, such as lab-grown diamond studs, white gold engagement rings and white gold wedding rings at Wild Fawn. We use recycled white gold, and every piece is handmade-to-order by our small team in London.
If there is a piece of our sterling silver or 9ct yellow gold jewellery that you would like to get made in white gold, just get in touch with us at bespoke@wildfawnjewellery.com.
You can also come in and try on our white gold wedding or engagement rings, or discuss bespoke white gold jewellery by booking a free consultation with us. We can’t wait to meet you!
We hope this guide to white gold has been helpful! You can read more blog posts about metals, gemstones and more below.
Solid gold vs plated gold jewellery: which is better?
Recycled silver: an introduction
Will solid gold tarnish, fade or wear?
9 great reasons to choose recycled metal jewellery
