What are the samples of white gold?
Many are interested in what samples of white gold exist. This information is needed to select a quality jewelry. White gold is becoming more and more popular, successfully competing with the yellow "brother", silver and platinum. Jewelry made of this metal has a sophisticated design and looks expensive.
Views
White gold samples are identical to yellow ones. They are similar, only the impurities differ. The sample contains information about the amount of impurities in the precious metal, which are called ligature. Additives provide the strength of finished products, you cannot do without them.
Therefore, it is so important to know what the samples are, what a high-quality white gold accessory looks like. When buying, you need to carefully look at the labeling of the jewelry.
The number on each piece of precious metal allows you to find out what kind of alloy it is. If the number 585 is indicated on the surface of the jewelry, this means that it contains 58.5 of real white gold, the remainder is impurities. Nickel with palladium prevails in the white variety of gold, and copper in the yellow variety. From this information it becomes clear that jewelry with identical fineness can have different colors. In our country, there are 5 samples of this metal.
375 and 500
The 375th alloy is considered the lowest-grade of all that are allowed in our country. It is not appreciated by jewelers, despite the fact that it is quite strong and durable. The composition of such jewelry contains 37.5% white gold, the rest is ligature. Due to impurities, the products acquire a specific white color, more precisely, it resembles gray.
Jewelry of 375 assay value is prone to rapid oxidation in air and loss of shine.
Earrings, rings, bracelets made of it are often equated with jewelry, although they are more expensive. In Russia, preference is given to other options, but in England and America, the attitude to this alloy is loyal. There are even lower varieties, for example, the 250th. Affordable wedding rings are often made from this alloy abroad. Ornaments of an intricate shape are not made from it, but the rings are resistant to shape changes, impervious to scratches.
The 500 sample is also not very popular, although it meets all the requirements. Jewelry craftsmen do not like it because of its low-casting qualities. Connoisseurs of white gold jewelry reject it due to the presence of a yellow tint. Such jewelry does not shine enough, oxidizes on contact with air. All this limits the scope of this alloy and makes it not popular enough. Although it is used very successfully in assay control.
585
In Russia, 585 samples are most in demand. Since Soviet times, it has been used for the production of jewelry. In products from this series, affordable cost is combined with acceptable quality.
Earrings, chains and rings made of this alloy are more durable in comparison with the 750 analogue and last longer. They do not lose their gloss, are resistant to rust and the appearance of dark deposits.
Jewelry accessories of 585 assay value contain 58.5% of natural gold, and 41.5% is found in ligature. Buying bracelets, chains and other accessories made of this alloy seems like a tempting idea to many, but we must not forget that quite a lot of nickel is added. - this can provoke allergies. In recent years, the use of this component has begun to be limited and more palladium is added.
This alloy becomes a wonderful cut for gemstones and is often framed with pearls. You don't have to worry about a diamond, garnet or emerald falling out. In addition, the shine of the stones becomes multifaceted, and the depth of color gives a special charm.
750
The most popular all over the world is the 750 alloy. It is 75% gold and 25% ligature. Precious metals are used as admixtures, which increases the prestige of jewelry of this type.
Jewelry from this series is especially in demand in the West, but in our country many people choose them.
Openwork products are obtained from this type of gold. It is quite hard and resistant to deformation, at the same time plastic and flexible, which makes it possible to create unusual patterns and elements that are distinguished by grace. Exclusively, platinum is added to jewelry, which has a 750 stamp, which has a positive effect on their appearance. The surface acquires a lighter color, shines more strongly, but the cost also increases significantly.
In most cases, rhodium-plated gold jewelry is sold. This metal is also referred to the precious series, it has a bluish tint. The application of rhodium provides a shine, protects against scratches, but the coating disappears over time. There is a need to contact a jewelry workshop for its re-creation.
Earrings, rings, bracelets with 750 hallmarks require careful handling. For everyday wear, look for other options. Insufficient strength is associated with a low content of impurities in the composition. But such jewelry has an exquisite design. The people who wear them show their good taste.
958
There is also 958 alloy, but it is rarely used for making jewelry. This sample contains 95.8% of the noble metal. Products made from it are quickly erased, prone to deformation. This metal has a yellow tint, which is extremely close to the genuine natural color of gold.
Japanese jewelers make jewelry from almost pure gold. Such earrings and rings are worn exclusively on special occasions, mostly they are carefully stored in boxes.
925 assay value, in accordance with the requirements of domestic legislation, becomes exclusively on silver items.
Which one is better to choose?
When choosing white gold jewelry, they look not only at the design, but also at the sample, many buyers wonder what it should be. The highest quality products are considered to be 750 brands., but they need careful handling, otherwise they are quickly erased, covered with scratches. The main advantage of these accessories is their sophisticated look.
When choosing jewelry, be guided by the peculiarities of wearing them. For everyday wear, 585 assay is more suitable. Accessories with the hallmarks of 500 and 375 are the most budgetary options, more like jewelry.
How to distinguish white gold from silver?
Silver is so similar to white gold that they are often confused. The difference between the shades is almost imperceptible, but it still exists and you need to understand what it consists of. The most correct way to understand what kind of metal jewelry is offered in a store is to study the stamp applied to it. To regulate the composition of alloys in the Russian Federation, GOST 30649-99 is used.
Silver jewelry is decorated with a stamp representing a barrel with the number 925. On white gold items there is a rectangular emblem or resembling a spatula, supplemented with the number 585 or 750.
It is difficult for a layman to distinguish the white variety of gold from silver; in order to verify the authenticity of the product, it would be useful to ask the seller for certificates.
The difference is also determined by the hardness of the alloys. Silver is softer than gold. To determine the type of metal, you can conduct a test: carry out the decoration on a paper sheet, while applying little effort. Gold will not leave a trace, but from silver it will, but weak.
Silver accessories are more susceptible to acidic environments, easily oxidized, lose their shine, change their shade, becoming darker. Silver jewelry requires regular maintenance - cleaning and polishing helps to restore their "marketable" appearance. For the next test, you will need a glass of water with vinegar added. The proportions must be equal. The jewelry is briefly immersed in a glass, if the shade of the product becomes grayish - it is silver. The white variety of gold does not change color in an acidic environment.
Another home experiment can be done with iodine. It is applied to the surface of the decoration. Halogen can be easily wiped off white gold with a dry cloth. On contact with silver, iodine reacts and leaves a trace of it.
Understanding how white gold samples differ will allow you to choose and purchase high-quality jewelry made from this metal.
For information on what are the samples of white gold, see the next video.