18ct White Gold
White gold was initially developed in the early 20th century as a more affordable and visually similar alternative to platinum. Its allure lies in its modern, elegant look and its versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of jewellery styles.
White gold is an alloy of gold mixed with white metals mainly palladium and silver. It emerged in the early 20th century as a desirable alternative to platinum. Initially developed to mimic the look of platinum, which was rare and expensive, white gold quickly gained popularity for its contemporary aesthetic and durability. When white gold is not plated, it typically has a light yellowish tint. Rhodium plating is commonly applied to white gold jewellery to enhance its whiteness and provide a more lustrous, polished finish
Its bright, silvery appearance made it especially favoured in Art Deco jewellery designs of the 1920s and 1930s. Today, white gold is revered for its modern elegance and versatility, often used in engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewellery. Its ability to complement both diamonds and coloured gemstones continues to make it a popular choice. The enduring appeal of white gold lies in its sophisticated look, durability, and the timeless allure it brings to jewellery pieces.
Its bright, silvery appearance made it especially favoured in Art Deco jewellery designs of the 1920s and 1930s. Today, white gold is revered for its modern elegance and versatility, often used in engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewellery. Its ability to complement both diamonds and coloured gemstones continues to make it a popular choice. The enduring appeal of white gold lies in its sophisticated look, durability, and the timeless allure it brings to jewellery pieces.
Alloying White Gold
Our 18-carat white gold wedding rings and engagement rings are made of 75% pure gold, around 13% palladium, 3.5% copper and 7.5% silver. This alloy isn’t, and will never be a silvery-white metal, instead it has a very pale yellowy colour. The 1% discrepancy in the make up is the rhodium plating which gives it its bright white appearance. Of course the quantity of the plating is dependent upon the ratio of the surface area to total volume/weight of the ring, but is typically less than 1% of the rings total weight, and is very thin, varying between 0.75 and 1 microns.
How much does a white gold ring cost?
The price of a gold ring really depends upon the total weight of the ring. Our white gold rings start from £244, and we regularly monitor other high street jewellers to bring you the lowest price per gram on 18ct white gold. If you see a wedding ring on the high street or another site with the same specification we will be happy to match that price for you. (See our price promise)
Is white gold real gold?
Yes, gold in its purest form (24 carat) has a warm and bright yellow hue. But 18ct white gold is alloyed with 25% palladium, silver and copper to make the metal a much paler yellow in colour while adding durable properties to the metal. This subtly yellow alloy is then plated with Rhodium which gives it its cool bright white appearance. The plating contributes to less than 1% of the total ring weight and, just like yellow gold, it is hallmarked with a 750 to confirm the metal is 750 parts in 1000 pure gold.
Why choose a white gold ring?
White gold wedding and engagement rings have an allure that’s undeniably seductive, exuding an air of modern sophistication with an understated luxury. White gold has a clean, white sheen that beautifully complements the sparkle of diamonds and other gemstones. It's also versatile and looks great with all outfits and skin tones. The price of gold is often volatile in the short term but historically gold has increased in value adding further to its appeal. However, wedding rings represent eternity, with no beginning or end, signifying the unending bond, the material of the wedding ring is purely down to preference and white gold is a great choice.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Timeless and versatile, suitable for contemporary or classic designs | Slightly less durable than rose gold or platinum | |
| Bright white suitable for most fashion and skin tones | It does require maintenance, over time the colour can turn faint yellow and may need re-plating | |
| The bright white tone enhances a diamonds colour and clarity |
What’s the difference between 24ct, 18ct and 9ct gold?
The difference between 24ct, 18ct and 9ct gold lies in their purity. The purity of the gold is accurately measured in parts per thousand, but traditionally the purity of Gold is often referred to in carats. Think of carats meaning 'parts per 24'. 24ct is the purest - 100% gold, while 18ct means 18 out of 24, or rather 75% of it's total weight is pure gold hence its 750 hallmark. 9ct gold is marked as 375 meaning that in 1000 parts there would be a minimum of 375 parts gold.
24ct gold offers the highest purity but is softer, less durable and is golden yellow in colour, while 18ct gold is alloyed to strike a balance between purity, beauty, and strength, making it more suitable for wearable jewellery.
24ct gold offers the highest purity but is softer, less durable and is golden yellow in colour, while 18ct gold is alloyed to strike a balance between purity, beauty, and strength, making it more suitable for wearable jewellery.
Can a plated white gold wedding ring scratch?
Yes, white gold rings can scratch and scuff, though their durability depends in part on their gold alloy and rhodium plating. 18ct white gold typically ranks around 2.75 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Pure gold itself is soft), but white gold alloys are created by mixing gold with metals including copper, silver and palladium, which increases hardness and makes it suitable for everyday wear. However, because white gold is still relatively soft compared to other materials, it can be scratched by anything harder on the Mohs scale, such as steel or ceramics.
Here’s what this means in practice for white gold rings:
- Scratch Resistance: White gold is less resistant to scratches than platinum but more scratch-resistant than yellow gold, thanks to its rhodium plating. Fine scratches can accumulate over time, and because white gold is plated for brightness, these scratches can dull its appearance as the rhodium wears away.
- Rhodium Plating Maintenance: Many people opt to have their rings re-plated every 1-2 years to keep them looking like new. White gold is plated with rhodium to give it a brighter, reflective finish. Rhodium is harder than gold, ranking around 6 on the Mohs scale, so it offers some added scratch resistance. However, this plating is very thin and can wear off over time, exposing the natural colour of white gold (a warmer yellowish tone).
- Durability and Longevity: While white gold may show more surface wear than platinum, it’s still highly durable, due to other metals adding strength. White gold’s hardness makes it a popular choice for intricate settings and detailed designs, as it maintains its structure well.
In short, while white gold is more susceptible to scratches than platinum, its durability, hardness, and ability to be re-plated make it a beautiful and versatile choice for a wedding ring. For a lasting, high-shine finish, periodic re-plating can help keep white gold looking bright and elegant over time.
Book a consultation
We aim to make choosing your perfect wedding or engagement ring as easy and stress-free as possible, which is why we offer flexible no obligation consultation options to suit your needs. Choose from either a virtual online appointment, in-person at our showroom in Hessle near Hull, or our new service Joshua James at Home where we bring the showroom to you. At this appointment we can go through your ideas and help you to create the perfect piece of jewellery within a budget you are happy with.
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