Signifying fresh starts and new beginnings, to age-old traditions and promises, white gold jewelry is well loved for its stunning and sophisticated timeless appeal.
If it is the alluring hue and luster of high end silver-gray metal that catches your eye, you may be surprised to learn that you have more options than just Traditional White Gold to consider.
Palladium White Gold is becoming an increasingly popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands, as well as a sought-after precious metal for necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Now, not everyone may be that familiar with Palladium White Gold but there are a few good reasons why you should cosy up and get acquainted- especially if you’re after the high-end look of Traditional White Gold without any of its snags.
The Shortcomings of Traditional White Gold
With its dazzling white sheen, Traditional White Gold jewelry simultaneously boasts a sophisticated and modern appeal while maintaining a sense of timeless elegance.
However, all that glitters is not gold.
In fact, you might be surprised to learn that the sought-after white finish of Traditional White Gold jewelry typically encountered in many big box stores, is not gold at all!
Gold is yellow in color and in order to achieve a sparkling white appearance, Traditional White Gold jewelry is combined with nickel and plated with rhodium. There’s little doubt that the result is strikingly beautiful and speaks to one’s classic sensibilities however it presents a few notable aspects that are worth careful consideration.
Nickel Allergies
Traditional White Gold contains nickel, an inexpensive metal that causes some people to experience an allergic reaction. Nickel can cause skin irritation that presents itself as a red, skin rash which can be extremely unpleasant and itchy. This allergic reaction caused by the nickel content often found in white gold rings is sometimes referred to as wedding-ring dermatitis. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, an estimated 18% of people in North America are allergic to nickel.
Longevity of White Finish
In its pure, un-plated state, Traditional White Gold has a dull gray appearance with a slight yellow undertone. In order to improve whiteness and enhance the sheen of white gold jewelry, it is plated with a few layers of rhodium. As with any form of plating on a ring, it will gradually start to erode over time. Rhodium, in particular, starts to wear off in the areas that encounter the most contact resulting in an unattractive, patchy appearance. This typically means that the dazzling white color of Traditional White Gold jewelry will eventually fade and the pink nickel tarnish will inevitably come to the surface, becoming frustratingly more visible as time progresses.
To ensure that your white gold jewelry looks as striking as the day you first laid eyes on it, you will need to have it periodically re-plated in rhodium to maintain its dazzling white color. If you’ve ever heard of having your ring “dipped”, this is what they are referring to.
Palladium White Gold – An Attractive New Alternative
Over the past few years, Palladium White Gold has become an increasingly popular alternative to Traditional White Gold. Part of the platinum group of metals, Palladium is a durable and lightweight precious metal that does not tarnish. Here, the nickel content in Traditional White Gold is replaced by Palladium to create Palladium White Gold. The benefits of choosing a Palladium White Gold setting for a special piece of jewelry are quite convincing.
Hypoallergenic
Palladium is a hypoallergenic precious metal and Palladium White Gold jewelry does not contain any nickel. This makes it a great high-end choice for those who have a nickel allergy.
Highly Tarnish Resistant
Unlike Traditional White Gold, Palladium White Gold jewelry is highly resistant to tarnish. It can require less maintenance if you choose to customize the jewelry without the rhodium plating. The un-plated. enchanting light-gray color will remain as beautiful as the day your first received it. As with any treasured possession, a gentle cleaning is recommended from time to time.
A Personal and Professional Favorite
Personally, I love working with Palladium White Gold because I am so passionate about creating heirloom-quality jewelry. The enduring beauty and longevity of a treasured piece of jewelry is very important to me. There’s something wonderfully special about providing a piece of jewelry that can maintain its sentiment along with its physical beauty so that it can be passed down from generation to generation.
Palladium White Gold jewelry truly offers you the best of both worlds. It has the sophisticated elegance and classic appeal of Traditional White Gold while offering the superb benefits of Palladium. A beautiful and enduring precious metal, it lends itself worthy of being a treasured piece of jewelry that commemorates age-old traditions, significant occasions or as sentimental symbol representing a new stage of growth in life.
If you’d like to know more about the differences between Traditional White Gold and Palladium White Gold jewelry, you can find a comprehensive summary of information here.
Explore Palladium White Gold Jewelry
Jewelry design is my absolute passion and brings me great joy. I make all my designs to order, whether it be creating intricate designs or bold statement pieces - you can rest assured that the finer details will receive my dedicated attention. All of the jewelry presented in my collections can be made in Palladium White Gold.
Check out our collection of Palladium White Gold Jewelry or get in touch with us to create a one-of-a-kind piece. We can walk you through the process of selecting the perfect metal for your lifestyle and assist with any questions you might have. 
