When we think of gold, we usually have a vision of a shiny yellow metal. It might be in the form of coins, jewelry, and bars. But the look of gold jewelry, especially, has evolved over the last several decades.
Other avatars of gold, like white gold, are becoming more popular. You can also buy rose, green, yellow and black gold!
However, many consumers are choosing white gold over traditional-looking gold jewelry. It has a refined, sophisticated look. It can be designed with a range of gemstones.
But many consumers still don’t know this – white gold comes with several benefits over yellow gold. Let’s understand exactly what white gold is and the advantages it brings to the table.
White gold is a type of gold. It is essentially an alloy of gold, which is formed when it is mixed with other metals, giving it a lighter coloring than the traditional yellow metal.
Typically, when gold is mixed with another metal, such as nickel, palladium, or silver, the result is white gold.
It’s important to know that not all gold alloys look the same. For instance, white gold wedding bands may have a rhodium coating. This is a silver metal, which adds shine and increases the durability of white gold. It gives the metal its white coloring.
On the other hand, not all white gold comes with rhodium plating. It can have hues of yellow, brown, and pale pink based on the alloy mix.
The main difference between white and yellow gold is how they are made, though both are alloys of gold.
White gold is made by mixing gold with nickel, silver, platinum, and palladium, a silvery-looking material. On the other hand, yellow gold is typically made by mixing it with more copper and zinc.
White gold has a silvery-white color tone. On the other hand, yellow gold has a brighter, warmer tone as compared to pure gold.
White gold scores several benefits over yellow gold due to these features:
The rhodium coating on white gold adds a subtle sheen to jewelry, especially white gold necklaces. It also has a reflective quality that adds more luster to the jewelry. This is not surprising as rhodium belongs to the platinum chemical group.
Rodium tends to be used in a lot of high-end jewelry. If you like a champagne hue, you can also go for unplated white gold, which is less expensive. With or without rhodium plating, white gold stands out and adds a lot of glamour to any ensemble.
White gold tends to be more resistant to scratches and other kinds of wearing care as compared to yellow gold. In general, gold tends to be a soft metal.
The white gold alloy, especially when created with a rhodium plating, tends to be scratch-free. It requires less polishing and annual maintenance as compared to yellow gold.
The contrast between yellow gold and diamonds tends to be much greater as compared to white gold.
This is why a diamond appears much larger when fitted into a white gold framework. This is a common ask among jewelry consumers and an added advantage.
If you are a fan of cool-toned or neutral-toned gems, then white gold is a better option than yellow gold.
Examples of cool-tone gems include clear, blue, or green diamonds, opals, rubies, sapphires (light blue), aquamarine, emerald, blue topaz, onyx, and peridot.
Yellow gold tends to have a more traditional look as it appears visually closer to pure gold. White gold, on the other hand, is a newer alloy that comes in many contemporary, versatile designs for a wide range of tastes.
If you are a fan of platinum but can’t afford it, then white gold is a good alternative. It appears visually closer to platinum.
This is because a white gold alloy may also contain some platinum. Secondly, rhodium belongs to the platinum chemical group, adding a further platinum-like appeal.
White gold is a subtle and sophisticated choice for everyday wear – from a day at the office to a lunch date. Rhodium-plated white gold necklaces, for instance, are a popular choice for wedding and commitment ceremonies because they can be worn every day.
The same jewelry doubles up as a glamorous accessory for a night out, as the shine reflects well after dark.
White gold is as resistant and durable as it is a glamorous piece of jewelry. The gold content in it also makes it an investment that appreciates over time.
It can look as simple for every day as well as glamorous for occasions such as weddings and anniversaries. Hence, white gold is a versatile, practical, and valuable choice in the gold jewelry spectrum.
Today, you can not only discover a wide range of contemporary and traditional white gold necklaces but also check out the white gold rings and earring designs at La Joya.
White gold is an alloy of gold. Gold is mixed with metals like platinum, zinc, and nickel to give a silver, sheen-like effect to gold jewelry. It is used to make rings, necklaces, bangles, and other pieces of popular jewelry.
White gold does indeed have real gold in it since it is a gold alloy, just like yellow or rose. The percentage of gold is mentioned clearly in karats. For instance, 18-karat white gold has 75% of gold in it.
Though both are alloys of gold, the mixture varies. White gold is a blend of gold with nickel, silver, platinum, and palladium. Yellow gold tends to be mixed with copper and zinc, giving it a shiny yellow hue.
White gold jewelry goes really well with diamonds. They even make them appear large and prominent, giving the necklace or any other piece of jewelry a rich look. This is also one of the popular jewelry trends today as white gold jewelry can keep up with the demand for modern-looking jewelry, which yellow gold can’t.
Absolutely. The corrosion-resistant properties of white gold make it ideal for everyday wear. It is a popular option for wedding bands with rhodium plating.
But white gold is versatile and can suit various contexts. For instance, a simple design appears subtle and sophisticated. But you can also go for a more ornate design, which can be worn for formal and glamorous occasions.
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