Understanding the Difference Between White Gold and Yellow Gold

The differences between white and yellow gold go beyond just color. When gold comes out of the ground it is a very pure but also very soft metal. This pure gold is what is called 24 karat gold. The fact that it is so soft means that it is not ideal for making jewelry. In order to make it into a more usable and harder metal, other metals will be added to it, creating an alloy. The amount of other metal added to the gold is what affects its karat rating.

In order to make white gold jewelers will add an alloy of nickel and palladium. This makes the gold very hard and eliminates the yellow tent that is most commonly associated with gold. Other metals can be added to gold to create different color tints. Silver can be added to gold to give it a green tint, and copper will give it a slightly pink hue. White is the most common color after yellow for gold jewelry. 14 karat gold contains a little more than 50% pure gold in the jewelry. 18 karat gold is 75% pure gold and 25% alloy.

The fact that white gold has had other metals added to it does not necessarily make it cheaper than more pure forms of yellow gold. A gold manufacturer is judged by its ability to achieve high quality jewelry using different alloys. A very hard form of gold would be too brittle to properly secure a gemstone in a setting; likewise, pure gold would be too soft to hold its shape during normal everyday usage. The right alloy can create a white gold that is fully strong enough to withstand years of abuse and soft enough to hold a gemstone securely in place while also having the shine and brilliance that consumers expect.

14 karat gold is the most common variation found in the United States. 14 karat white gold is harder that its yellow counterpart and is often used in settings which require prongs to properly fastened a jewel or gem. 14 karat white gold often has a slightly yellow coloration to it and is usually plated with a rhodium in order to give it the rich white appearance that customers demand. In the end it really comes down to personal preference when choosing between white or yellow gold. The variety of colors and purity are what has made gold the most popular metal for jewelry.

Vanna K is a young, California-based jewelry designer specializing in micro pave engagement rings. She is entirely in sync with the sensibilities, taste, and vision of timeless beauty her customers share. Vanna K engagement rings are made to last a lifetime and beyond.