X1 White Gold® Frequently Asked Questions

X1 does have an excellent white color with high reflectivity compared to other white gold alloys, but no white gold is as white as rhodium plating, due to the yellow color of the pure gold in the alloy..

X1 stands for extreme white, Level 1 color rating. The World Gold Council's White Gold Task Force's guidelines for white color, specify that level 1 color rated white gold does not need rhodium plating to achieve a good white color.

Previous generations of high nickel gold alloys have historically displayed problems such as porosity in castings, brittleness, fire cracking, and susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking (predominately in prongs). Stuller has formulated X1 with additives that help to reduce some of the problems associated with high nickel content, compared to high nickel white gold alloys without these additives. Under certain conditions, ALL nickel white gold including X1, are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking.

- Stuller offers an impressive selection of nickel white gold casting grain and mill products, ranging from 7% nickel and up. X1 is one alternative option which will provide a good white color.

X1 is harder but is not necessarily more brittle than lower-nickel content alloys. Stuller has formulated X1 with trace elements that provide grain structure control. These have improved mechanical characteristics, such as prong bending and ring stretching, compared to high-nickel white gold alloys without these additives.

There is not a perceptible difference to the unaided human eye.

Yes. We currently offer selections of 14K X1 die-struck settings, shanks, mountings, and wedding bands. Color matched solders, sizing stock, wire, sheet, cadmium-free sheet and chip solder, and casting grain are available in 10K, 14K, and 18K. Master alloy is available in 14K.

X1 white gold may be rhodium plated just like other white gold alloy. However, rhodium plating is not required to achieve an excellent white surface finish. One advantage to using X1 white gold is that when the rhodium plate inevitably wears off, the underlying metal is a nice, platinum color instead of the yellowing/off-white color of most karat white gold alloys.

Test samples, submitted by Stuller, have met the current EU requirements for nickel release rates. However, Stuller does not guarantee that all products manufactured in X1 white gold will achieve the same results, as condition of sample can affect test results.

- All karats offered in X1 white gold are alloyed to EU specifications for gold fineness. 14 Karat X1 is alloyed at .585 gold content.

X1 white gold casting grain and mill products cost approximately 10 cents per pennyweight ($2.00 per oz) more than standard nickel white gold. It is important to realize that X1 white gold is alloyed with a higher gold content to meet ALL international requirements for gold fineness.

Yes... Stuller recommends using a 75% fresh mix when re-melting X1 white gold. White gold alloys are typically not as reusable as yellow alloys. If there are any dark inclusions or foreign particles visible in X1 scrap, it has become contaminated or depleted, and should be submitted for refining.

Pay particular attention to the recommended quenching instructions. It is important to quench within 2 to 4 minutes. As a general rule, quench just prior to the red glow leaving the button. In most cases, X1 may be annealed to recover from improper quench cycle.

- All other casting techniques are the same.

X1 melting temperatures are comparable to standard nickel white gold alloy temperatures. Standard investment for gold casting will provide good results.

Stuller's Metal Technology Division has developed X1 white gold, cadmium-free solders that are color-matched to the X1 white gold alloys. Traditional solders may be used on X1 white gold pieces, but may leave a visible yellowish-white solder joint or seam. Stuller recommends using only X1 white gold components, sizing stock, and solders for sizing and assembly of bright white, rhodium-free X1 jewelry.

Use the same procedures and compounds that you normally would use on white gold.