People who want the look of platinum diamond settings but can’t necessarily afford them, sometimes turn to white gold. It is a less expensive metal that has a silver tone and works well with modern designs. White gold gets its silver hue by being alloyed with other metals like silver or palladium. Gold and palladium alloys are considered to be optimal for diamond settings because the metal is still soft and workable for different types of setting designs. White gold alloys are sometimes plated over with rhodium to give it sheen like platinum.
First off, you want to make sure you are not sensitive to white gold settings. It’s estimated that one in eight people are sensitive to white gold alloys, which contain nickel. If you’re the type of person who has to wear gold all the time, you might want to stick with alloys that have no nickel. Palladium alloy diamond settings are considered safer for those with such sensitivities.
Secondly, you want to be sure to maintain your white gold setting. To keep the ring looking good, remember to clean it regularly. If it was coated with rhodium, this coating can wear off with use. You may need to get the ring re-coated after a few years. Otherwise the setting may become a light brassy color due to the oxidation of the rings metal mix. This only needs to be done every few years and is a fairly inexpensive way to maintain the beauty of your jewelry.
Remember that white gold is not a pure metal, it is an alloy. As such, there are a great number of different mixes that contain different types of metals coming to the market to fill the need for inexpensive but durable white gold settings. Make sure to check with your jeweler or research online the benefits of a particular alloy when compared to other alloys to ensure that you are getting a metal that meets your needs and reflects your style.
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