Fashion Jewellery...

The gold is still present in the same proportions as denoted by the karat mark. The karat grade will always indicate the amount of gold in the alloy. Silver is less expensive and has a high lustre. For every 1/4 ounce of gold, either powder or leaf it. In both yellow and white gold alloys, small amounts of other metals such as zinc are also present to improve workability and casting quality. This is why 18K white gold is more yellowish than 14K white gold.

The quality and price of fashion jewellery is determined by the metals chosen to mix with gold. White gold is almost always rhodium plated. This I do, as I buy it in shot form, by setting a blow torch to it and melting it all into one big nugget. All white gold alloys are slightly off white compared to platinum or silver. At Foxfire Jewellers we use a nickel white gold alloy that is very white by international standards. Rhodium is a silver-white metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion, and is extremely reflective.

Expensive white gold is created by alloying it with copper, silver and platinum or palladium. However, the alloyed white gold is very desirable when making white gold jewellery with settings of expensive stones, such as diamonds, as it makes a very secure setting. It is used as a finish for jewelry, mirrors, and search lights. The result is a brilliant whiter white, so the jewelry doesn't need to be plated with rhodium.