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White Gold vs. Yellow Gold

Do you prefer white or yellow gold in your jewelry? Both are great as far as durability is concerned, and the difference in price is almost negligible. There are, however, some subtle differences between the two, and that’s just not about the color. Here is how the two types of gold differ from one another:

1. Both white and yellow gold are genuine gold, and the karat rating in measured in the same way. 18-karat gold will contain 75% pure gold, be it white or yellow. The only difference lies in the metals alloyed with gold to make the jewelry. Yellow gold is alloyed with copper, zinc, etc., to retain the yellow glow. White gold, on the other hand, is alloyed using nickel, palladium, etc., and plated with a thin layer of rhodium on top to give it the brilliant silver white radiance. Keep in mind that if you are allergic to nickel, you will need to make sure that your white gold jewelry contains palladium as the alloying metal. This will make the jewelry slightly more expensive, but in the long run, the value for money it provides will be exceptional indeed.
   

2. White gold jewelry requires slightly more maintenance than yellow gold variants. This is because the rhodium layer will show signs of wear and tear, exposing the metal underneath as time progresses. Rhodium is quite a hard, non-reactive metal, but everyday use will eventually take its toll on the layer anyway. Don’t worry when this happens. Simply get your ring re-plated from the jewelry store where you bought the jewelry from. The process is inexpensive, quick, and before you know it, your jewelry will look good as new once again.

3. Consider the color of gemstones when buying gem studded jewelry to determine which type of gold to get. If you are purchasing diamond solitaire rings or diamond studded jewelry, then by all means, opt for white gold. Nothing else will bring out the luster of your diamonds more effectively. But if you are opting for colored gemstones in bright hues, yellow gold would be more appropriate, as the yellow glow will add to the luster of the gems.

Both yellow and white gold are excellent for jewelry. In the end, the part about making a choice boils down to your personal preference, and the color of gemstones set in the jewelry. Both types of gold can add definition equally to your outfits, and both will look great on you, under all circumstances.