When one thinks of gold, the color that immediately comes to mind is most likely a bright, metallic yellow. In its purest form, gold is indeed a yellow color. However, there are many other colors that gold can take depending upon the purity of the gold and the type of metal it is alloyed with. Some gold alloys take on a copper reddish tone, while others are rose or pink in color. White and yellow gold are among the most popular alloys used in jewelry, and many buyers face the question of white gold vs yellow gold when looking for the right piece of jewelry.
Yellow gold is probably the most popular form of gold around, commonly used in wedding bands, chain necklaces, bracelets, bangles, and as the basis for elaborate rings. This variety of gold is formed by alloying gold with colored base metals such as copper or zinc. Gold-copper alloys are especially common in the production of yellow gold, particularly in pieces such as wedding bands, which are made to last for decades. The specific hue of yellow gold is determined by the ratio of gold to base metal: the more copper used in the alloy, the redder the gold becomes. A 14 karat gold-copper alloy will be redder in color than an 18 karat or 22 karat alloy.
Like yellow gold, white gold is also created as a result of the gold alloying process. Instead of using colored metals such as copper or zinc, however, refiners use white metals such as nickel, silver, palladium or manganese to form the alloy. The end product is a gold alloy with a whitish hue. Nickel-gold alloys are especially useful in the production of rings due to their strength. Other white gold alloys use several of these metals in the same alloy to change the malleability of the metal and give it the desired color.
When trying to choose between white gold or yellow gold, the jewelry buyer should consider the function, the desired strength and the cost of the gold alloy. Yellow gold is beautiful and a classic element of all kinds of jewelry. Lower purity gold-copper alloys are both cheaper and stronger than higher purity alloys: gold is a very soft as a pure metal, and the copper in the alloy acts as a strengthening agent. This combination of lower cost and higher strength makes 14 karat yellow gold an excellent choice for a wedding band. White gold, on the other hand, is also very beautiful and is suitable for engagement rings, necklaces, and other types of jewelry. White gold also comes in several common purities, most usually 14 karats, 18 karats, and 22 karats. Nickel-gold alloys can trigger an allergic reaction in some people, however, so be sure to know the exact composition of your white gold jewelry before buying it. White gold can also be slightly more expensive than yellow gold depending upon the alloy metal used to create it.
The question of white gold vs. yellow gold is sometimes not a simple one, but the jewelry market offers a variety of excellent choices that incorporate either type. Some pieces of jewelry use both white gold and yellow gold in their designs, perfect for the buyer who can’t decide between the two. Whether you choose white gold or yellow gold, however, be sure that you are buying the right piece for you.
