Difference Between White Gold and Yellow Gold

White Gold vs Yellow Gold

The choice between white gold and yellow gold is often a predicament to those who are looking for jewelries, especially for those who are selecting wedding rings. Though both come from gold but the difference in color also signifies a difference in their characteristics.

White Gold

White gold is often selected for wedding rings, since it complements the diamond and is also more resistant to scratches. It came to be white due to the alloys that were mixed with it. Most white gold’s are mixed with palladium and nickel and coated in rhodium for that bright shiny finish. However, since nickel causes allergies, it has been substituted by manganese.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold is the pure color of Gold and it is relatively soft. The yellow gold jewelries that are available right now in the market are mixed with different alloys albeit a difference in its quantity. Yellow gold is available in various karats, the 24k gold is considered as 99.99% gold leaving a little percentage for the alloy to provide hardness to the jewelry. It is usually mixes with either zinc or a copper alloy.

Difference between White and Yellow Gold

Due to the rising popularity of silver, titanium and platinum, white gold is now more in demand than yellow gold. Not only is it fashionable but also because, it is harder than the yellow gold but it also has the same lightness to it just like its yellow counterpart. However, some white gold jewelries are mixed with nickel which causes allergies and also is covered with rhodium, so one might constantly need to polish it again to retain its luster. Yellow, on the other hand, does not contain nickel so it is relatively safe, but since it is not hard enough, it is susceptible to scratches and marks.

So, apart from their obvious difference which is their color, it is now clear that the alloys in which they are mixed with also determines their individual attribute and therefore it is what makes each work of art truly unique.