What's Mixed Into 18ct White Gold?

The power of alloy composition, the effects on gold colour, strength and compatibility with your skin. 


Creating an 18ct white gold alloy mix to become a bright white mirror finish requires a considered approach and the highest quality alloys. It’s a precision of art and mastery to transform the warm, luminous yellow hues of pure 24ct yellow gold into a premium 18ct white gold. The carefully selected metal alloys define not only the ring’s brilliance and enduring strength, but also its comfort and compatibility with your skin.

Most clients would never think to ask about the composition of the 18ct white gold mix, which is why we take the time to explain its importance below.

The Core Challenge of 18ct White Gold  

18 carat white gold contains 75% pure gold by weight. The proportion is fixed, it’s what defines 18ct. The remaining 25% is where the decisions happen. Those alloying metals must transform the colour away from gold’s natural warmth toward white, maintain the hardness and durability required for an engagement ring or wedding ring to be worn everyday.

There is no single formula to the 25% metal alloy mix. Jewellers have historically made very different choices, causing the rings they produce to look and behave quite differently over time. Most buyers are never told which alloys are used within their gold jewellery, yet it’s incredibly important to know before purchasing.

The alloy mix is the hidden variable in 18ct white gold engagement and wedding rings. Two rings stamped 18ct or 750 can look identical yet when new, but within three years of daily wear can differ significantly. 

Why Nickel 18ct White Gold Should Be Avoided 

Nickel is the most common whitening alloy in the industry for jewellery for commercial reasons. It’s cheap, abundant, and it does produce a hard alloy that can be crafted into rings. For decades it was the industry standard, and a great deal of white gold sold today still uses nickel-based alloys. The problem is that Nickel is one of the most common contact allergens in the world. It releases ions slowly from the metal surface through contact with the skin. These ions trigger a reaction in a significant portion of the population (somewhere between 10 to 15 percent). With exposure causing skin reactions such as redness, itching or chronic dermatitis.

There is also the problem with colour as Nickel alloys do not produce a bright white gold. They produce a pale yellow-grey noticeably warmer coloured gold when compared to palladium mix alternatives. The jewellery industry’s solution to this is rhodium plating, a thin layer of rhodium metal applied all over the surface. Fresh rhodium plating looks white and vibrant, yet when worn daily the plating will gradually wear away over time, and the yellowish nickel alloy will begin to show through. The ring then requires more frequent replating, a cost and inconvenience for a long term piece such as an engagement ring. 

Why Palladium Alloys Are the Premium Choice  

Palladium is a naturally white and hypoallergenic metal alloy. It is a premium alloy and a precious metal in its own right. Its own reflective character complements 18ct gold brilliantly, producing a beautiful alloy mix with a naturally white appearance without any plating. Palladium white gold is considered safe for those with metal sensitivities for comfortable wear. Suitable for everyday wear as engagement and wedding rings are intended. 

The incorporation of palladium ensures the gold creates an elegant white hue. Rhodium plating is still applied to Palladium 18ct white gold as a finishing touch. Yet it is applied for added brilliance and scratch resistance, rather than disguising the colour of the gold beneath. If the rhodium plating wears away, the underlying metal remains white. For an engagement ring designed to be worn for decades, this resilience is incredibly important.  

JANAI 18ct Palladium White Gold 

The alloy composition of the 18ct white gold is not a minor detail, it determines how the ring will look and heave across years and decades of daily wear. Which is why our diamond engagement ringsat JANAI in Melbourne are crafted with Australian 18ct Palladium White Gold. 

We craft our rings with Australian 18ct Palladium White gold rings to stay incredibly white and won’t discolour over time. For an exceptional ring is that endures for a lifetime. 

Book your private consultation at JANAI Jewellery to create your dream engagement ring in Melbourne. Request yours, by filling out the form below.