A precious metal that is a mix of various metals with gold. The term white gold can refer to a few different hues aside from the whitish ones. Available at a high price point, with some variation depending on the nature of metals involved in making the specific alloy one chooses.

What is white gold

An alloy consisting of gold that has at least one white metal such as nickel, silver or palladium. Like all other iterations of gold, the purity is stated in karats.

The term white gold is used quite loosely in the industry to label any karat gold that has a whiteish hue. The qualities vary depending on the metals used and their proportions in the mix. White gold that has nickel makes for a stronger alloy, which makes it a good choice for rings and pins. Palladium infused alloys are softer and are good for gemstone setting. At times other metals such as silver, copper and platinum are added for weight and durability. In the jewellery industry, the mixes are often gold-palladium–silver and gold–nickel–copper-zinc.

The 'white' in the term covers a few more hues that overlap as well, including pale yellow, tinted brown and a very pale rose too. The use of nickel can cause allergic reactions for the wearer, especially if worn for longer periods. Resulting in a minor skin rash.

White gold is classified as a precious metal and is, therefore, a costly product to purchase. The prices would vary depending on quantity and also what specific mix it is.