The Encyclopedia · Metals & marks
White gold
Gold alloyed with white metals to give it a pale color, widely used from the 1920s.
White gold is gold alloyed with metals such as palladium or nickel, which bleach its color. It became common in the 1920s as a less costly alternative to platinum and was widely used again whenever platinum was scarce.
Modern white gold is often plated with rhodium for a bright white finish. Older white gold has a softer, slightly warm gray tone.
What to look for
White gold is marked with its karat, like yellow gold. A yellowish tint showing through on a modern piece usually means the rhodium plating has worn.
In the collection
White gold, available now
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