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Is white gold really gold?

White gold is a gold alloy, meaning it is a combination of gold and at least one other metal. Whereas different grades of white gold vary widely in composition, the typical alloy consists of 20 percent to 50 percent nickel, with the balance being gold. A superior class of white gold is made of 90 percent gold and 10 percent palladium. Other elements that may be included in white gold are copper and zinc. White gold alloys are mainly used by jewelers, to give gold a white color.

Sources: Brady, George S. Materials Handbook, 13th ed., p. 908-9; Thrush, Paul W. A Dictionary of Mining, Mineral, and Related Terms, p. 1235.

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