Gold Design Gold Purity and Alloys 2

Question 1

What metals are typically added to yellow gold to create white gold?

Accepted Answer

Palladium and/or silver (or nickel in older alloys)

Answer

White gold is created by alloying gold with white metals such as palladium, silver, or historically nickel, then often rhodium plated.

Question 2

What is 'gold vermeil' and what distinguishes it from standard gold plating?

Accepted Answer

Vermeil is gold plating at least 10k gold over sterling silver, at least 2.5 microns thick

Answer

Gold vermeil is defined by the FTC as at least 10k gold plated to a minimum 2.5 micron thickness over sterling silver.

Question 3

Why does 18k white gold sometimes appear slightly yellowish over time without rhodium plating?

Accepted Answer

The white metals in the alloy wear away, revealing more of the yellow gold content

Answer

As rhodium plating wears off, the underlying 18k white gold alloy — still 75% yellow gold — shows its natural warm tint.

Question 4

What karat gold is most commonly used for fine jewelry in the United States?

Accepted Answer

14 karat

Answer

14k gold (58.3% gold) is the most popular choice for fine jewelry in the US, balancing gold content, durability, and affordability.

Question 5

What is the hallmark for 14k gold in the US marking system?

Accepted Answer

585

Answer

14k gold carries the hallmark 585, representing 585 parts per 1,000 (58.5%) pure gold in the European/international system.

Gold Design Practice Test