Introduction
Gold-platinum alloy, known as white gold, is a precious metal alloy made of gold and platinum. It was first advertised in public in the early 20th century, mainly due to the fact that pure gold was very rare in those days and expensive, while platinum was much more affordable. Modern consumers of gold-platinum alloy are mainly those looking for rare and precious metals, but at a more affordable cost.
Chemistry
Gold-platinum alloy is a metal that consists of pure gold, platinum, and other alloys for strengthening. The ratio of gold to platinum in gold-platinum alloy differs depending on the metals use, as different applications have different requirements. Generally, a 70 - 30 (gold to platinum) ratio is the most desirable for jewellery and coinage purposes in particular. Generally speaking, pure gold is too valuable and malleable to use in the manufacture of jewellery.
Properties
As mentioned previously, white gold consists of gold and platinum in alloy form. In the alloy, the gold and platinum act as complementary and opposed elements. The gold element provides reflective and malleable properties, and the platinum element contributes to the alloys strength and durability. Additionally, due to the addition of other metals, such as copper and zinc, gold-platinum alloy is corrosion-resistant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, gold-platinum alloy is a precious metal alloy consisting of gold and platinum. It was originally created to replace pure gold because it was too expensive to use for jewellery and coinage purposes. Now, gold-platinum alloy is an increasingly popular choice for those wishing to purchase precious metals at a more affordable cost. Additionally, it has special properties including reflective and malleable properties, increased strength and durability, and corrosion resistance.
