Palladium White Gold
Also: Pd white gold, Palladium-bearing white gold
Palladium white gold is a gold alloy in which palladium, as the most important alloying metal, gives the gold its characteristic silvery-white colour.
Palladium white gold is a gold alloy in which palladium — a metal from the group of platinum group metals — is used as the primary alloying metal. Palladium decolourises gold highly effectively and produces a warm-silvery tone that already looks attractive without subsequent rhodium plating. It thus differs fundamentally from the older nickel white gold, which frequently triggers allergic reactions and is subject to considerable restrictions under the EU jewellery directive.
Composition and finenesses
In practice, palladium white gold is encountered above all in the finenesses 585 (14 carat) and 750 (18 carat). The exact Pd content depends on the desired white tone, the workability and the alloying partners (usually small amounts of silver, copper or zinc to adjust hardness and casting properties).
| Fineness | Gold content | Palladium (typical) | Remaining metals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 585 (14 kt) | 58.5 % | 10–15 % | Ag, Cu, Zn |
| 750 (18 kt) | 75.0 % | 8–13 % | Ag, Cu |
The fine gold content is guaranteed by the fineness hallmark and, in the EU, is regulated under precious metal marking rules.
Advantages over nickel white gold
- Hypoallergenic: Palladium does not trigger nickel allergies and is regarded as dermatologically compatible.
- Stable white tone: The bright base tone reduces the need for rhodium plating, although high-gloss pieces in the jewellery trade are nonetheless often rhodium-plated.
- Precious alloy component: Since palladium is itself a precious metal, its market price noticeably influences the material value of the finished piece. You can call up the current palladium price at any time.
Price influence and material value
Because palladium is alloyed in, the raw material share of a Pd white gold alloy rises when the palladium price or the gold price increases. You can determine the melt value of a piece of jewellery with the Melt Value Calculator — enter the gross weight and the fineness to calculate the approximate metal value.
Melt value ≈ Gross weight × Fineness × (Gold price × Au share + Pd price × Pd share)
When buying or selling Pd white gold jewellery through a dealer, the price actually achieved deviates from the pure metal value due to the spread and premium. The Purchase Price Calculator provides a guide value.
Note: Tax treatment and investment suitability depend on individual circumstances — this is not tax or investment advice.
In brief
Palladium white gold combines the prestige of gold with the allergen-free, naturally white appearance of palladium and is today the preferred standard for high-quality white gold jewellery in Europe.