Palladium White Gold
Also: Pd white gold, palladium-bearing white gold
Palladium white gold is a gold alloy in which palladium, as the principal 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 even without subsequent rhodium plating. This distinguishes it fundamentally from the older nickel white gold, which frequently triggers allergic reactions and is subject to considerable restrictions.
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, workability and the alloying partners (usually small amounts of silver, copper or zinc to set the hardness and casting properties).
| Fineness | Gold content | Palladium (typical) | Remaining metals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 585 (14 ct) | 58.5% | 10-15% | Ag, Cu, Zn |
| 750 (18 ct) | 75.0% | 8-13% | Ag, Cu |
The fine gold content is guaranteed by the fineness stamp and, in the United Kingdom, is verified through the compulsory hallmarking system administered by the assay offices.
Advantages over nickel white gold
- Hypoallergenic: Palladium does not trigger nickel allergies and is considered dermatologically compatible.
- Stable white tone: The light base tone reduces the need for rhodium plating, although high-gloss pieces in the jewellery trade are nevertheless often rhodium-plated.
- Precious alloying component: Since palladium is itself a precious metal, its market price noticeably influences the material value of the finished piece. You can check the live 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 climbs. 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 spread and premium. The purchase price calculator provides a guide value.
Note: Tax treatment and suitability as an investment depend on individual circumstances - 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.