My grail is a WG piece, a non WIS I showed the picture asked: Is it really Gold?

[TheVTCGuy]

I am simplifying a bit in the title, but as it states, the piece I long for and will get some day is a WG Rolex. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with yellow or Rose, and those of you that own them congratulations. However for me, it’s the white gold that I really covet.

I was talking with my friend and showed him a picture of the watch I wanted. He replied: “I thought you said it was gold?” I replied that I did and it was. He replied: “White Gold, what is that?” I explained it was (this is all from the top of my head and could be very wrong, but it is something like this) 75% yellow gold, and 25% (I think) Tin. He then said well then it’s not real gold, not 100% gold anyway, and should not be considered 18K since 25% of it is an inferior metal. …
… … ….

I don’t have the metals knowledge to argue with him… or really explain it myself It’s probably a Dorklehead question, but can someone answer/explain White Gold, and it’s properties or “real gold” concept?

[MrGoat]

The way I understand it, white gold has silver and zinc alloys while yellow gold has more copper alloys. White gold is supposedly a bit stronger than yellow gold.

18k gold (white or yellow or rose) has 75% gold and 25% other alloys.


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[DonRickles]

Short answer, nothing is pure.

Except my invite!

[Brew]

18K is 75% gold. The other 25% is a mix to make the gold stronger. I think it’s typically copper, nickel, and/or silver. 100% gold is too soft to wear or use for a watch.


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[Keepchasing]

All 18k gold is 3/4 gold, no matter the color.

[RolexSimon]

Agree - semantics.

[aayates]

After complementing my watch, a guy asked if it is 22kt. I said no, I'm slumming at 18k. Are there high-end 22kt watches out there? I have not seen them; I assumed the metal would be too soft.

[amphr1]

My understanding is that white gold will fade to a bit of yellow in time, whereas platinum will not. Pure gold is too soft for any good use. What do you want a white gold watch anyway? And i think it's not worth arguing over. Because doesn't WG looks pretty much like steel when it's new? I am probably wrong tho as I don't own any PM watches

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

The way I understand it, white gold has silver and zinc alloys while yellow gold has more copper alloys. White gold is supposedly a bit stronger than yellow gold.

18k gold (white or yellow or rose) has 75% gold and 25% other alloys.

Originally Posted by Brew

18K is 75% gold. The other 25% is a mix to make the gold stronger. I think it’s typically copper, nickel, and/or silver. 100% gold is too soft to wear or use for a watch.

In Rolex's case, it's 18 ct -- 75% pure gold, with the remaining 25% comprised of a certain proportion of silver, copper, platinum, or palladium -- depending on alloy (yellow, white, or Everose).

[alphadweller]

18k white gold, yellow gold and rose gold all have 75% of pure yellow gold. The remaining 25% is meant to give it strength and determines the colour.

According to the ISO 8654 standard from 1987, that 25% is made of the following metals:

- the 18k white gold has 15% silver and 10% other metals like platinum and palladium, making it the most expensive 18k gold.
- the 18k yellow gold has 12.5% silver and 12.5 % copper (3N) or 15% silver and 10% copper (2N), small variations allowed.
- the 18k rose gold has 16.5% copper and 8.5% silver or small variation (4N)

[Brew]

Originally Posted by vh2k

In Rolex's case, it's 18 ct -- 75% pure gold, with the remaining 25% comprised of a certain proportion of silver, copper, platinum, or palladium -- depending on alloy (yellow, white, or Everose).

Thanks for the clarification!


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[JSolution]

It’s all About the weight and luxury feeling of it for me no matter which colour precious metal.

White is easily mistaken for steel but who cares if you know yourself? This is usually the allure of white gold for people who choose it over yellow.

[alphadweller]

Originally Posted by amphora001

My understanding is that white gold will fade to a bit of yellow in time, whereas platinum will not.

That used to be the case with traditional white gold. Jewlers would rhodium plate it to give it the vibrant white sheen, similar to platinum. But underneath, the white gold would turn yellow once the rhodium worns out, needing another rhodium coating to be applied.

However, Rolex use a special alloy which prevents its white gold from turning yellow, by adding metals like palladium and platinum to the mix, on top of the traditional silver. Rolex calls it grey gold to distinguish it from white gold. There's no rhodium plating in grey gold, it's no longer needed. Other brands like Vacheron and Patek have also updated their white gold with a similar formula, no more rhodium coating either. Palladium and platinum make this 18k grey gold more expensive than 18k yellow and 18k rose gold.

[rmagoo57]

Enough with this chemical nonsense, WHAT WG REFERENCE? Meteorite dial? Hoping your dream comes true!

[Benzsiam]

Composition of 18k White Gold:

75% Gold
10% Palladium
10% Nickel
5% Zinc

[RazorD]

And I’ll chime in that I love WG pieces personally. Picked up my first WG piece (new sub) last year and love it!

[Brew]

Originally Posted by RazorD

And I’ll chime in that I love WG pieces personally. Picked up my first WG piece (new sub) last year and love it!

We’d love to believe you, but . . . .


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[RazorD]

Originally Posted by Brew

We’d love to believe you, but . . . .


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I’ll bite…lol



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[Brew]

Beautiful!

Now, do you mid scratching it a bit, so we can see if it’s plated?


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[subprimero]

White gold allows the wearer to enjoy the luxury of gold without the unwanted attention that yellow gold sometimes brings.

[77T]

I like platinum vs WG - but both are similar to SS at a 5 ft distant glance by a casual observer.

Weight of each is easily discernible.

A lot of people don’t know what makes up the 5% that isn’t platinum in a 116506.


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[WatchGuy1966]

It's not about the Gold color or content. It is about his insecurity/inferiority and thus projecting his (incorrect) knowledge and/or superiority.

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by RazorD

I’ll bite…lol



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Nice! I have one on order and just hope it arrives before I retire next year...

[JoseR]

Back in the days everyone wore yellow gold. Now a days you can't since it calls the wrong attention. I prefer white gold or platinum for a watch (which I can't afford) because for the average person it looks just like SS or steel..

[JoseR]

Originally Posted by RazorD

I’ll bite…lol



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Very nice piece...Enjoy..

[jb335]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

That used to be the case with traditional white gold. Jewlers would rhodium plate it to give it the vibrant white sheen, similar to platinum. But underneath, the white gold would turn yellow once the rhodium worns out, needing another rhodium coating to be applied.

However, Rolex use a special alloy which prevents its white gold from turning yellow, by adding metals like palladium and platinum to the mix, on top of the traditional silver. Rolex calls it grey gold to distinguish it from white gold. There's no rhodium plating in grey gold, it's no longer needed. Other brands like Vacheron and Patek have also updated their white gold with a similar formula, no more rhodium coating either. Palladium and platinum make this 18k grey gold more expensive than 18k yellow and 18k rose gold.

Wow, great explanation. I've wondered why WG is costlier than YG. Thanks!

[DoctorA]

24 karat is technically 100% gold (really 99.999)

18 karat is 75% because 18 divided by 24 = 0.75, multiply by 100 to convert to percentage= 75%

[Sothy]

While I prefer yellow gold overall, I actually like white gold more than platinum personally (which surprised me). The easiest way to know which one is for you is to try on a few rings IMO. I like the “glow” that the white gold has vs platinum’s silver look.

That’s a beautiful white gold submariner!

OP, which reference?

[Lightsped]

Does Everose (RG) have some platinum in it?

Regarding the three golds, which is strongest meaning best dent/scratch resistant?

[Jpccarguy]

Originally Posted by subprimero

White gold allows the wearer to enjoy the luxury of gold without the unwanted attention that yellow gold sometimes brings.

This.