When we talk about jewelry, we often simplify by saying "Yellow Gold" or "White Gold". But in reality, in the secrecy of the workshops, the nuances are much more subtle.
Are you a jewelry designer or a knowledgeable enthusiast? Are you looking for gold wire to create jewelry, or a clasp to repair it? It's crucial to understand the difference between Grey Gold (natural) and White Gold (rhodium-plated). and Palladium Grey Gold .
At the house of La Fille du Sud , we offer these three specific variants in addition to Yellow Gold, because each alloy has its own specific use in jewelry.
⚡ In Brief: The Guide to "White" Shades
Name Visual Aspect Specific Composition Ideal for... Grey Gold (Natural) Raw gray Gold + Silver/Copper (Rhodium-free) Creation (Son), Vintage Rings White Gold (Rhodium) Bright white, mirror-like, cold Grey Gold + Rhodium Bath Chains, Clasps, Finished Jewelry Palladium Gold Deep grey-white, stable Gold + Palladium (Precious metal) Investment, Casting, High-end Creation
1. 18k Yellow Gold: The Solar Standard
Let's start with the classic.
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The alloy: 75% Fine Gold + Silver + Copper.
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The appearance: This is the natural and historical color of gold.
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Our products: Available for all our jewelry and supplies ( Threads , rings , clasps , chains by the meter , small chains ).
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Why choose it? For its timeless and warm feel. It requires no color maintenance.
2. 18k White Gold (Non-Rhodium Plated): Authenticity
This is often a revelation for the general public: White gold does not exist in its natural state . The raw alloy is actually "Grey".
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The appearance: A subtle color, a "raw" grey, much appreciated by contemporary designers for its authentic look and less "flashy" than rhodium plating.
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The technical advantage: Because it is not plated, its color does not change. It requires no maintenance (no rhodium plating to redo).
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Our products in Grey Gold: We offer it in Gold thread for manufacturing, but also for certain rings and earrings for a natural and raw style.
3. 18k Rhodium-Plated White Gold: Mirror-Lens Brilliance
This is "white" gold as seen in shop windows.
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The technique: We take some Grey Gold and immerse it in a bath of Rhodium (a very rare and hard metal).
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The appearance: A very bright, cool white, close to chrome. It's the standard finish for modern jewelry.
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Our Rhodium-Plated Gold Products: This is the ideal finish for the Chains by the meter and the Clasps Why? Because these elements often need to match commercially available pendants that are themselves rhodium-plated. This ensures perfect color unity.
4. 18k Palladium White Gold: The Technical High End
It is the perfect blend of connoisseurs and discerning jewelers.
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The composition: Nickel (which is banned or an allergen) or part of the silver is replaced with Palladium (approximately 13%). Palladium is a precious metal in the platinum group (more expensive than gold).
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The ultimate advantage: Palladium whitens gold This gold is naturally very white/grey, without the need for rhodium plating. It is tarnish-resistant, very hard, and completely hypoallergenic .
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Our Palladium-Containing Products: We reserve this exceptional alloy for the finest raw material: Gold thread , Shot for the cast iron, and some Safety clasps . This is the choice of investment and absolute durability for your creations.
Learn more about the value of this alloy: What is the price of Palladium?
Conclusion: Which gold should you choose for your project?
At the house of At La Fille du Sud , we are transparent because we serve both individuals and creators.
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Are you creating a piece of jewelry? Choose our Palladium Gold Wire or Granules Or Grey Gold . You will have a noble material, easy to work with and durable.
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Are you repairing a chain? Choose one Rhodium-plated white gold clasp so that it shines as brightly as your current chain.
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Do you want a piece of jewelry with character? Our Rings in Natural Grey Gold (non-rhodium plated) will offer you a quality that will remain unchanged over time.
Explore our collections:
💎 Supplies & Findings (Threads, Clasps) >
💎 18k Gold Finished Jewelry >
Technical FAQ
Can I solder rhodium-plated gold?
If you're a designer: be careful. Soldering will burn off the rhodium plating. You'll need to polish and re-rhodium plate the piece afterward. For custom designs, we recommend our White Gold or Palladium threads (not rhodium plated), solder, and do the rhodium plating at the very end if you wish.
Why is the white gold clasp more expensive?
Often because it is rhodium (cost of rhodium) or palladium (Cost of palladium). It is a guarantee of quality for a mechanical part subjected to friction.
Does natural grey gold turn yellow?
No, it doesn't yellow "more," that's its original color! Most suppliers offer white gold with a warm tint. AtLa Fille du Sud , we've chosen to offer an 18k white gold thread with an 8.5% nickel alloy, giving our threads a "raw" gray hue. That's gold. rhodium which yellows when the surface layer wears away and reveals the grey gold of the market with its warm undertone below.