From carats to care, everything you need to know before choosing your white gold jewellery.
White gold is one of those things that sounds simple until you start asking questions — so here's what you actually need to know.
At Nude Jewellery, we think understanding the materials behind your piece is part of what makes it meaningful. So let's get into it.
The Three Different Colours of Gold
1. What Is White Gold, Exactly?
White gold isn't naturally white — it starts life as yellow gold, and it's the alloy mix and rhodium finish that give it that cool, bright tone.
Pure gold is naturally yellow and far too soft for everyday wear. To create white gold, we alloy (mix) it with other white metals — typically palladium or silver. This makes it stronger and lightens its colour. The final tone before finishing depends on the ratio of gold to those other metals, which is where the carat difference comes in.
2. Carat Clarity: Why 9ct is Whiter Than 18ct
Most white gold jewellery is either 9ct or 18ct — and the difference matters more than you might think.
The carat number tells you the percentage of pure gold in the piece:
18 Carat White Gold is 75% pure gold (18 parts out of 24) and 25% white metals. Because of that higher gold content, it retains more natural warmth — giving it a slightly creamy or champagne undertone before plating.
9 Carat White Gold contains 37.5% pure gold (9 parts out of 24), mixed with a much higher proportion of brighter white alloys like palladium and silver. This gives it a whiter, more silvery base colour from the outset.
Both are durable and beautiful — the choice usually comes down to whether you prefer a warmer or cooler base tone, and your budget.
White Gold vs Yellow Gold: The Key Differences
White gold and yellow gold start from the same place — pure gold — but diverge in alloy mix, finish, and maintenance. White gold has a cooler, brighter appearance and requires occasional re-plating to maintain it. Yellow gold is lower maintenance and develops a natural patina over time. Price-wise, they're broadly comparable at the same carat weight, though the rhodium plating on white gold adds a small ongoing cost if you re-plate regularly.
3. The Role of Rhodium Plating
After a white gold piece is made and polished, it still isn't quite the bright white you're used to seeing. That final step is rhodium plating.
Rhodium is a rare, naturally silvery-white metal from the platinum family — hard, highly reflective, and resistant to tarnish. A very thin layer applied over the white gold gives it that crisp, mirror-like finish, along with an extra layer of surface protection.
When you choose a white gold piece from Nude Jewellery, you're getting a strong gold alloy with a rhodium finish — two materials working together.
4. Care & Maintenance: Keeping the Shine
You may have heard that white gold can turn yellow over time. It's not the gold changing — it's the rhodium plating gradually wearing away with daily use, revealing the alloy's natural tone underneath. This is completely normal.
A professional re-plating service will restore it to its original finish. To extend the life of the plating, avoid harsh chemicals, remove your jewellery during physical tasks, and clean gently with a soft cloth and mild soap.
White gold is a considered choice — and one that rewards a little care.
