The origin and history of white gold

White gold is a popular and valuable alloy that has been used in jewelry and other decorative items for centuries. This metal is an alloy of gold and one or more white metals, such as nickel, palladium, silver, and even platinum. In this blog post, we will explore the origin and history of the invention of white gold, including both European and American patents.
The Origin of White Gold
White gold is believed to have originated in the early 19th century. At that time, jewelers were looking for a way to create a metal that had the appearance of platinum but was more affordable. They experimented with various alloys, including mixing gold with nickel, silver, and palladium.
One of the first mentions of white gold is in a French publication called "L'Art du Bijoutier" (The Art of the Jeweler), which was published in 1823. The author, Louis-Nicolas Vauquelin, describes an alloy made from gold and platinum that was used to create white gold.
European Patents for White Gold
In Europe, the first patent for a white metal yet not necessarily known as white gold was granted to a German chemist named Carl Louis Ullmann in 1912. Ullmann's patent described an alloy made from gold, platinum, and palladium. The resulting metal was a white color, durable, and malleable, making it ideal for use in jewelry.  That being said it seems many other jewelers in Germany had already been exploring and creating pieces in white gold and sharing their knowledge with jewelers in other European countries as well as the United States.

Another notable European patent for white gold was granted to the French company Cartier in 1929. Cartier's patent described an alloy made from gold and palladium that was used to create a new type of white gold that was both durable and had a brighter color than previous alloys.
American Patents for White Gold
In the United States, the first patent for white gold was granted Karl Gustav and Paul Richter filed their patent on April 30th 1913 (drew up the document on April 14th) submitted their paperwork for a white gold patent which officially became know as white gold.  The patent was granted on 12/28/15
In the years that followed, other American inventors were granted patents for various types of white gold alloys. For example, in 1924, a patent was granted to a chemist named Edwin W. De Rochemont for an alloy made from gold, nickel, and zinc. This alloy was used to create a white gold that was durable and had a bright color. Others include Belias, Jabel etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, white gold has a rich history that spans continents. The origin of white gold can be traced back to the early 19th century, when jewelers were looking for a more affordable alternative to platinum. Since then, various alloys have been developed, resulting in the creation of white gold as we know it today. Both European and American inventors have played a significant role in the development of white gold, with numerous patents being granted for different types of alloys over the years.