White Metals’ cool allure has captured imaginations for centuries. You
may prefer one kind of white metal, or you may be surprised to discover
a new favorite among the wide range of white metals used in jewelry
today. Each has its distinct advantages and some have unique looks and
applications for jewelry. Understanding the qualities of each different
white jewelry metal can help ensure that the piece you select today
will offer a lifetime of joy and satisfaction
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver is a versatile metal and can have a high polish, matte,
brushed, satin, sandblasted, oxidized or antiqued finish.
Sterling silver’s versatility and affordability create limitless
options for fashionable jewelry. While sterling silver can tarnish or
darken, it is easy to return silver to its natural finish with proper
care and cleaning.
Platinum
Platinum’s luster complements the sparkle of diamonds and gems. Its
finish can range from a bright polish to a soft matte texture.
Platinum’s strength assures you that your most precious diamonds and
gems will be protected and secured. Platinum’s purity makes it hypo
allergic and thus the perfect choice for those with sensitive skin and
its durability makes it ideal for wearing every day, as it sustains
very little metal loss over a lifetime of wear.
White Gold
White gold gets its color by mixing yellow gold with alloys like
nickel, zinc and palladium. Due to the variety of the alloys used,
white gold colors will vary. Sometimes white gold is covered with
rhodium plating to create a bright, pure white finish.
White gold is a more affordable yet still durable and precious
alternative to platinum. It doesn’t tarnish like silver. But some
rhodium plated white gold can “yellow” over time and may need to be
occasionally re-plated. However, some manufacturers are creating white
gold alloys that are white enough to not need rhodium plating. Be sure
to ask your jeweler about these newer alloys. When gold is alloyed with
nickel, it can be allergenic to a small percentage of wearers who have
sensitive skin. In response, many refiners and manufacturers are now
offering white gold that doesn’t contain nickel.
Palladium
Palladium ahs garnered much interest from jewelers since it offers many
of the benefits of Platinum – bright white color, purity and strength –
at a more affordable price. Jewelry designers are taking advantage of
palladium’s strong light characteristic and creating new white-metal
jewelry that is solid and bold but affordable.
Palladium does not require plating to maintain its lustrous white
color, and it is hypo allergenic. It will not tarnish. However,
palladium is neither as rare, nor as heavy as platinum.
Alternative Metals: Titanium, Stainless steel & Tungsten Carbide
Although not as commonly used in fine jewelry as sterling silver, white
gold or platinum, Titanium, Stainless Steel and Tungsten Carbide are
gaining popularity – especially with men. Often used for their
durability in active accessories, like golf clubs, the metals are well
suited for active consumers who will wear the jewelry on a daily basis.
These metals offer affordable alternatives to precious white metal
jewelry. They are non-corrosive and hypo allergenic. Jewelry made using
these industrial metals is scratch resistant and retains polish longer.
When used in chain or link bracelets, they are less likely to snap and
break. However their strength also limits their applications. They are
so tough that resizing rings is sometimes difficult – though many
manufacturers do offer a resizing service to retailers who cannot
resize the rings themselves.
White Metal Jewelry Purchasing Tips
- Look for quality construction.
- Pay special attention to fasteners and clasps, making sure catches are secure and work easily.
- Pin backs and earring posts should be strong and easily attached with no visible marks.
- Lay chains flat to make sure the links don’t kink or bend. If you’re
purchasing rhodium plated items, inspect the piece to ensure that the
plating completely covers it.
Jewelers of America, INC.
