White gold melting point

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi, I’m hoping someone can help me out.

In Tim MCcreights book ‘complete metalsmith’ it states in the
appendix/alloys section that 18k (75au25pd) white gold has a melting
temperature of 904 deg c.

What I don’t get is that gold and palladium have melting points
higher than that. So how can the alloy have that melting point?

If I can melt white gold at that temperature, is it possible to add
yellow gold alloy to the white to produce a colour in between the
two?

Many thanks in advance.

KDC

2 
 If I can melt white gold at that temperature, is it possible to
add yellow gold alloy to the white to produce a colour in between
the two?

Hi Karl, You can definitely mix white gold with yellow, but you get
an ugly color, no matter what the proportions.

Tom Arnold

3

Hi

In Tim MCcreights book 'complete metalsmith' it states in the
appendix/alloys section that 18k (75au25pd) white gold has a
melting temperature of 904 deg c. What I don't get is that gold and
palladium have melting points higher than that. So how can the
alloy have that melting point?

There is a fancy name for the lower melting temperature of the alloy
vs. its ingredients. “Eutectic”. This is common, sterling silver is
the same way. You can add yellow 18k to split the difference color
wise. What it will really act like in another matter that will vary
depending on the exact alloys involved.

Daniel Ballard