Good question

[karend26]

As I was searching this board for info on James Allen settings, I came across this post that didn''t get answered by anyone, but it''s something I have wanted to know. Does anyone have info on palladium white gold? One jeweler told me it doesn''t turn yellow. Could this be true?

Thanks!!!



Hi everyone,
Please help me out here!
I am looking at this pave-set ring from James Allen:
http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_412-2072_build.asp?module=setting

They can offer this setting with the same cost in a palladium white gold version instead of the usual nickel version.

Now obviously palladium is hypo-allergic, which is good.

In term of the color, James Allen''s Dave told me that the palladium version is grayer while the nickel version is shinier. I''m wondering whether palladium version will help solving the white-gold-turning-yellow issue?

I''ve never worn a white gold ring before. Could anyone with experience help me? Is the palladium version a better choice? Could this be a cheaper alternative for platinum?

Thank you~~~~

 

[oldminer]

You may find the Palladium version looks whiter than other alloy white golds. You will have an issue if the ring needs solder repairs or re-sizing in that it should ("must" might to too strong a word) be soldered or repaired with the proper alloy type of solder and many jewelers do not have palladium alloyed white gold solder on hand. There is no substitute for platinum, but people have enjoyed white gold rings for years and years with no problem. I know in Europe they use white gold with no nickel and I believe there are nickel free alloys in the USA which do not use palladium, either. Someone else is sure to provide that advice on this thread soon.

 

[tyty333]

A jeweler gave me a phamphlet on palladium and it told me it does not turn gold.

After platinum it has the next most intrinsic value and best life span. It has a higher precious-metal purity than
14k and 18k golds. It is hypoallergenic. It says it has a restoration factor about the same as 14/18k golds but
I would note the other post on here (not as many places can do it).

I put a palladium ring up next to my platinum ring and couldnt really notice a difference in color without staring
at it for a while. I am considering a palladium ring for my wedding band (just because of cost).

If you have any other questions...let me know and I''ll see if the phamphlet answers it. The phamphlet is put out
by Novell which I believe is a ring maker.

 

[oldmancoyote]

Tyty - please note that palladium is not the same as white gold alloyed with palladium. The info you have on the leaflet seems to refer to "pure" (95.0%) palladium.

Palladium alloyed white gold is a darker grey than platinum, but it's decidedly grey rather than yellowish, so it will not require plating. There are manganese-based alloys that have similar colour properties and are cheaper, but I've never seen them IRL (plus from what I know they may be rather difficult to work with).

One question - with pure platinum at prices which are very comparable with pure gold, are you sure you can't "stretch" to platinum? (It will always cost more, as it's denser, purer and it requires more energy to be worked, but still...)

 

[tyty333]

Thanks oldmancoyote. I thought she just meant palladium. I''ve never heard of palladium white gold

.
I''ve been looking around for a 5 stone 1 cttw wedding band and it looks like a platinum setting runs
about $400-$500 more than a white gold setting. I was trying to keep the ring under $2k but I''m
begining to think that it is not possible with decent stones. My ering stone is a D so I think I have to
stay pretty close in color and I want them to be eye clean. Anyone out there know how much a
ring like this might cost me and who would be a good vendor?