What is better white or yellow gold, what are the differences and which color is more expensive + reviews

Why does gold have different colors?

The color of pure gold is yellow, and its name in Latin, aurum, means exactly that. You can see the “real” color by looking at a bank gold bar - a brick with a purity of 999.9. It will not be possible to make jewelry from it, because it will bend and wrinkle. Pure gold is soft, much like tin, and setting precious stones in it would be risky. In order to decorate our ears, necks and fingers, jewelry gold is used - an alloy of precious metal with a ligature, that is, metals that strengthen the noble, but so vulnerable gold.

Depending on the composition of the additive-ligature, gold alloys of different colors are obtained, the most popular and in demand of which are the following types of jewelry gold:

• red – 58.5% Au, 31.1% Cu and 10.4% Ag;
• pink – 75% Au, 9% Ag and 16% Cu;
• white – options are possible, for example, 58.5% Au, 12.5% ​​Ag and 27% Pd;
• yellow – a combination of Au (the percentage depends on the sample), Cu and Ag (the final shade depends on their ratio - closer to lemon or warm yellow).

Redness comes from copper, whiteness from silver, palladium, and platinum. The saturation of the tone also depends on the percentage of the base element – ​​gold. The true color of white gold is yellowish. Rhodium plating, a thin layer of another noble metal, rhodium, gives it a cold platinum pallor.

Comparison of rose and yellow gold

When we talk about pink and yellow alloys, we mean 750 fineness (18 carats) of precious metal. Which gold is better - pink or yellow? These two metals constantly compete with each other in the collections of leading jewelry houses. As a rule, models are produced in both versions, although pink jewelry is more aimed at a female audience. Both alloys have the same wear characteristics, so the choice depends entirely on your preferences.

Red gold ring with diamonds 911363B

Designer ring made of lemon gold 931638B

Stylists' opinion

The pink tint is perceived as slightly cooler. It is exotic for the Russian market, and therefore jewelry made from it looks unusual and fresh. If you want to surprise the most sophisticated connoisseurs, choose a pink shade. The yellow 750 alloy is closest to the color of pure precious metal, and therefore jewelry made from it is unmistakably identified as jewelry. If unconditional prestige is important to you, the yellow alloy is the most advantageous in this regard. In the “pink/yellow” pair, the metal with a pink tint looks more feminine, and the yellow one looks more masculine.

Astrologers' opinion

Yellow gold has an active masculine energy, as close as possible to the energy of pure metal. The Latin name aurum correlates with the word aurora, that is, dawn, sunrise, and this is one of the reasons why it is called the solar metal. Choosing a yellow alloy accentuates your qualities such as the will to win and the desire for success, including material ones. This is a symbol of wealth, so if a good financial situation is of paramount importance to you, choose jewelry made of 18-karat yellow gold.

Pink alloy is suitable for people for whom the main thing in life is love in all its manifestations - for a partner, family, friends, and oneself. In general, pink alloy is much more suitable for girls and women, although it cannot be called purely feminine. This metal will help you find harmony in relationships and attitude.

Comparison of white and red gold

From a practical point of view, to the question “Which gold is better – red or white?”, many answer unequivocally: of course, red! After all, products made from a white alloy are usually coated with rhodium, and its layer needs to be renewed over time. This will be especially noticeable on jewelry that you often use, such as rings or chains. Many buyers perceive the presence of rhodium plating as a minus, missing out on the advantages of this coating, which:

• gives jewelry a beautiful steel shine;
• strengthens gold, which is soft by nature (rhodium-plated jewelry is less damaged and scratched);
• particles of precious metal do not wear off - the ring or chain does not lose weight. For jewelry that is worn occasionally, this does not matter, but for an engagement ring that you plan to wear without taking it off for the rest of your life, this may be important.

You can restore the rhodium layer in a matter of minutes by entrusting the jewelry to the care of a jeweler. But if you don't feel like doing this, choose a red alloy. True, it is sometimes worth giving it for polishing and cleaning so that it remains as beautiful as the day it was purchased.

If we compare alloys by their combination with stones, then white gold wins in alliance with diamonds - it was created to highlight and enhance their shine. In addition, a white background is ideal for stones of cool shades - for example, amethyst, topaz. Well, emeralds and rubies look more impressive with red metal. Sapphire and pearls are beautiful in their own way when set in both shades.

White gold ring with diamonds 921350B

Red gold earrings with diamonds 912214B

Opinion of stylists and designers

Red gold is the most neutral in style, suits people of any color type and is most often used in classic models of precious jewelry. Outside Russia, it is not widespread and is perceived as exotic; in the world it is often called “Russian gold.” If you are used to being Western-oriented, gold jewelry with a red tint is not for you. If you are proud of the traditions of the Russian and Soviet jewelry school, then you can always choose something special, for example, a ring with a sapphire track, the shine of which is enhanced by diamonds.

White gold with rhodium plated is more often used to create modern jewelry models, incl. in high-tech style. In addition, it replaces noble and expensive platinum in exclusive jewelry with diamonds: appreciate it in this role in a beautiful union with sapphires and diamonds in a women's ring with stones in a circle. If we consider the same model of jewelry in red and white gold, the latter will look more restrained and more sophisticated. True, this rule only works if we are talking about jewelry with an expressive design. Serial models in white gold look simpler and can easily be confused with silver or even steel.

Astrologers' opinion

Both red and white gold are reliable amulets for their owner: in the white alloy, the silver included in the ligature is responsible for this function, and in the red alloy, copper is responsible. Both metals protect against the evil eye and other bad influences. At the same time, gold jewelry with a red tint gives the owner vibrant vital energy, and white metal enhances intellectual and creative abilities.

Red and white alloys are the most popular in Russia when choosing wedding rings. Which gold is better in this case? Experts in the energy of metals assure that wearing wedding rings made of red gold will make the relationship between husband and wife more trusting, and white models will help each spouse maintain their “self”, not lose their individuality and their own interests, dissolving in worries about the family.

Comparison of white and yellow gold

Which gold is better – yellow or white? Both of these alloys can be produced in 585 or 750 samples. If you compare alloys without rhodium plating, they will be quite similar: the white metal looks like pale yellow gold. Without rhodium plating, the metals are similar in perception, the same stones “suit” them, but if you compare yellow and rhodium-plated white gold, you can clearly feel their difference: rhodium gives the metal a “steel” character - making it colder and more severe.

It should be noted that yellow gold is common abroad, but in Russia it is not so common. Due to this rarity, it may cost slightly more than the other two options. The collections of Russian jewelry factories include a limited number of models in this color; choosing from them exactly what you need can be quite difficult.

White gold ring with diamonds 921403B

Designer ring in yellow gold D3583

Stylists' opinion

Yellow gold is a traditional shade for European jewelry. Any precious stones look good in it - the shade is not so warm as to conflict with cold topaz, aquamarines, tanzanites or amethysts, it goes well with warm-colored stones - padparadscha sapphire, ruby. This color is perceived as premium and is often used to create high-end jewelry - like these diamond earrings on a gold plate. This is a good choice for people who want to emphasize their status.

White gold is not so pretentious. It is more suitable for business style clothing. Its owner is perceived as a calm, strong person with modern views. People who prefer to be the first to embrace new trends should take into account that jewelry made of white gold without rhodium plating is gaining popularity in Europe. This metal looks original, and it also saves the owner from the troubles associated with the loss of the rhodium layer.

Astrologers' opinion

What kind of gold is better to buy if you want the jewelry to be not only an adornment, but also a personal talisman? A person who relies only on his own strength is better off choosing yellow metal. It will give you strength and help you implement your plans. Well, those who trust their intuition and hope to receive the support of others and the universe itself should prefer the white color of gold jewelry.

Characteristics of white gold

White gold is a yellow alloy that contains several different metals. The main difference lies in its components. It has a cool tint due to the fact that it contains zinc, copper, silver and nickel.

Whereas in the manufacture of jewelry from yellow metal, slightly more zinc, nickel and copper are used.

Despite so many additives, the purity of the gold remains the same. For example, if it is indicated that the jewelry is 18 carats, it means: 18 parts are pure metal, the remaining 6 parts are other components.

White gold or yellow gold, which is more expensive? Sometimes white may contain platinum, which will affect the cost of the product. All additives presented provide special strength and attractiveness.

It is worth noting that platinum is used quite rarely, this is due to its high value. Basically, only the most prestigious jewelry houses can afford such metal.

Another method that gives gold a white tint and increases its value is treating the surface of the product with rhodium.

Rhodium is a white metal that is actively used as a coating in various jewelry. It gives the product strength and rigidity.

Gold itself is soft and can be bent with enough force. And rhodium, due to its properties, provides protection to the product; because of this coating, the price will be high.

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Myth or truth on the topic: “Which gold is better”

Jewelry is a part of our life. Probably every woman has them. However, there are always a lot of myths around them. Check yourself, are you not in the grip of delusions? Answer whether the given statements are true, and then check the correctness of your answer.

White gold is much more expensive because palladium and platinum are added to it

Indeed, the alloy usually includes these metals, but most often their percentage is not so high as to significantly affect the cost of the jewelry for the end consumer. The price of white gold is indeed usually a little higher, but due to additional manipulation - the application of rhodium.

You may be allergic to white gold

Partially true. Sometimes, to create a white tint, nickel is added to the ligature, which can cause a local reaction. Knowing this, manufacturers who value their reputation choose a hypoallergenic ligature. So an allergy is possible only if you purchased a gold product in a random place or country where there is no strict control over the circulation of precious metals.

Red gold is the cheapest

And all because it contains a lot of copper, and yellow is the most expensive, it contains more pure precious metal. Is it true? In fact, the content of the precious metal is determined by the breakdown. Red, white, yellow gold of 585 assay value contain the same percentage of solar metal – 58.5%.

The price per gram of gold is different only because of the difference in color

Gold jewelry has different prices per gram for several reasons. The main one is the sample. The price is also influenced by the complexity of the design, technology features, the presence and quality of inserts, as well as what category the product belongs to: serial, limited edition, designer. And only lastly does its color affect the price of gold jewelry. The difference between the cost of white and red gold is only a few percent.

585-karat jewelry is stronger than those made from 750-karat precious metal

Despite the higher cost of 750 standard (due to the higher content of pure elements), jewelry made from it is more vulnerable to mechanical damage. 585 standard contains more alloying additives, which makes the alloy more durable. That is why in Russia 585-grade metal is used for wedding rings. It is customary to wear the ring without removing it, and on the right hand (in contrast to the European tradition of wearing it on the left side). So you need a truly reliable piece of jewelry. Well, 750 standard is used for exclusives created to delight us on special occasions.

Ring in red and white gold with diamonds 911348B

Designer ring and earrings in yellow gold D3583 D3584

Yellow, red or white gold: which is better and what are the differences?

Gold is the luxury and elegance of a noble “sunny” metal, often combined with semi-precious and precious stones. They never go out of fashion and are valued much higher than silver jewelry. Jewelry craftsmen give the precious metal a variety of shapes, which can be classic or in line with the prevailing trend.

The difference between jewelry is not only in design. Yellow, red or white gold can be used to create jewelry, each of which looks beautiful in its own way, but invariably raises the question as to which one is better and what the differences between them are.

Content:

• Three colors of gold;
• Why are jewelry made from gold alloys?
• Red gold;
• Yellow gold;
• White gold;
• Which gold is better?
• Summarizing.

Three colors of gold

The term “gold” when applied to jewelry is relative. In jewelry, alloys are used when precious metal is mixed with other chemical elements to produce yellow, red or white gold, as well as some other shades.

Ligature - the ratio of impurities and the main element in the alloy is reflected in the sample. The conditional “reference” value is “24 carats” or “1000”. And if the standard of the product is 585, then it is made of an alloy that contains 585 units of gold (pure) and 415 parts - alloying elements.

The introduction of a certain amount of copper, silver, palladium, zinc, nickel determines the color of gold:

• Yellow. It is a ligature made of gold, silver, copper. Since ancient times, it has symbolized wealth and power, a noble position in society, and has not lost its relevance today. It can have different shades from light to dark. It all depends on the amount of silver.
• Red. Its composition differs little from yellow, but the amount of copper taken is many times greater. The latter is the “secret” of the characteristic color. It was practically the only alloy common in the USSR. These times were different in that there was no question before a person as to what kind of yellow, red or white gold to buy.
• White. It looks similar to platinum, but is much cheaper. This has become the reason for the increased demand for jewelry made from it in recent years. It gets its hue thanks to nickel, palladium, and platinum. The first one is the cheapest and is prohibited in many countries due to the possible manifestation of an allergy to the alloy, which can also quickly darken. Ligature with platinum is considered noble, which is reflected in the cost.

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It is necessary to understand that yellow, red or white gold can have a similar sample, that is, the same amount of precious metal in the composition. The acquired shade is determined by the ratio of alloying elements. In relation to a white alloy, it also matters whether palladium, platinum or nickel is included in the composition. This affects both cost and quality.

Why are jewelry made from alloys and not pure gold?

The purest alloy of precious metal is red. Secondary impurities in its composition cannot exceed ten percent, and the fineness cannot be lower than 916. This material has a high cost and consists almost entirely of gold, but its inherent softness and fragility did not contribute to the spread of jewelry, such as earrings, made of red alloy.

The only way to compensate for the deficiency is to increase the mass, and, accordingly, the weight of the jewelry. A small ring or earrings made of .999 gold will deform slightly or severely over time.

In order for a simple and uncomplicated wedding ring to last a long time, its weight should start from 8 grams or more.

The high cost and limited design led to the need to introduce secondary metals. And if relatively recently it was possible to purchase only yellow, red or white gold, in recent years, depending on the composition of the alloy, the following shades have appeared:

• blue;
• blue;
• violet;
• green;
• black;
• grey;
• brown.

Unusual green, blue, violet, light blue alloys are quite vulnerable and are most often used as inserts to replace precious stones. There are not very many fans of such “exotic” products, and the production of products is limited. Yellow, red or white gold is in much greater demand, which is often used by both private small workshops and world-famous jewelry houses.

There is one thing to consider about the color of gold. The hue is not always the result of ligature, that is, the introduction of various secondary metals. There are laser processing techniques and chemical reactions to achieve the desired color. Jewelry made from precious metal obtained in this way is valued much lower than from alloys, which should definitely be taken into account before purchasing.

Post How to choose the right gold earrings?

Red gold

Well known to the older generation, it has several different shades. On sale you can find pale, dark, bright and other shades of red gold. Most residents of the post-Soviet space associate products made from it with something outdated.

Many buyers, when considering yellow, red or white gold, prefer the first and last alloy. The red-colored precious metal is inferior in terms of nobility to its competitors, but remains relevant. It is often used as an additional element of complex products.

Rings, rings, watches, and bracelets made of red gold look most advantageous. Experiments with the percentage of additives made it possible to obtain a pink-colored precious metal. It is quite popular, and jewelry made from it is mostly more affordable.

Yellow gold

It personifies the nobility of the precious metal and is associated specifically with gold. It comes in light “lemon” and darker shades. Unlike red, it is more versatile and goes well with various precious and semi-precious stones, such as pearls, and looks good with European and Oriental clothing.

Among the advantages of the “solar” alloy are the following:

1. Color . A ligature that produces a yellow tint represents exclusively gold.
2. Versatility. Looks great on its own and suits those with both dark and light skin.
3. Variety . Yellow gold jewelry can be simple or intricate, with precious and semi-precious stones.
4. Availability. Due to the absence of expensive secondary metals, unlike white, which requires palladium or platinum, it has a lower cost.

It should be remembered that yellow, red or white gold is graded according to its purity, so the price may vary for similar products, either down or up. The more precious metal in the “sunny” shade of the alloy, the higher the price.

White gold

An increasingly popular precious metal alloy today, it has become a more affordable alternative to platinum. It is combined with diamonds and natural black pearls. It invariably attracts attention and testifies to the impeccable taste of its owner.

The main advantages of white gold include:

1. Prestige. Jewelry similar to platinum evokes admiration and increases the status of its owner in the eyes of others.
2. Originality. Jewelry made from this alloy is distinguished by intricate shapes and highly complex designs.
3. Trend. White gold is at the peak of its popularity, which means that the owner of such jewelry is a person who follows fashion trends.

Post Jewelry made from natural stones: stylish and unusual

The most accessible alloy is considered to be nickel, but it is prohibited as an allergen in a number of countries. Galvanization can eliminate the disadvantage. And if, when choosing yellow, red or white gold, preference is given to the latter, and it contains nickel, you need to clarify this point with the seller. Otherwise, there is a possibility of rashes and irritation on the skin.

Palladium is safe, but less hard and less polishable. Platinum gives the alloy a noble shine and strength and does not cause allergic reactions. This white gold ligature has no complaints. The only downside is the high cost, which is fully justified by the luxurious appearance of the jewelry.

Which gold is better?

There is no clear answer to this question. It is important to understand that yellow, red or white gold is made by adding varying percentages of secondary metals to enhance the quality of the final jewelry piece. The shade has nothing to do with the sample. It only demonstrates the amount of gold in the alloy.

The main criteria that you should focus on are your own preferences, the outfit for which you are purchasing the jewelry or set, and the standard of the precious metal. The most common is 585. Jewelry of 750 is less common. They are more expensive and are most often intended not for everyday wear, but for going out.

The most fashionable and expensive is white, and the most common and affordable is yellow. Products made of red gold have their fans, but more preference is given to rings made of this metal in a lighter color, that is, close to a pink palette.

Summarizing

It must be remembered that yellow, red or white gold can have different compositions. It depends on the country of manufacture and jewelry house. Some save money and introduce cheap impurities into the remaining 415 (585 standard) or 250 (750 standard) parts, and sell them as expensive jewelry. The color of gold is a matter of taste, but you should pay close attention to the quality of the alloy and purchase jewelry from trusted brands.

Which of the three gold colors can be combined?

More recently, stylists were extremely categorical: wearing metals of different colors was bad manners. But the world is changing, changing jewelry etiquette: today it is not only possible, but also necessary to combine metals of different colors. The only condition is to combine in one image only their noble representatives (gold of all shades, platinum and silver), without diluting it with costume jewelry, even the most expensive. It will be noticeable!

How you can combine gold of different colors:

• several chains of different lengths made of metals of different shades;
• several multi-colored rings;
• earrings of different colors (if there are several of them in your ear);
• combination of several types of gold in one piece of jewelry.

The last option can be an excellent adapter. For example, if your finger is decorated with a multi-textured multi-colored ring, you can complement it with both white and red gold jewelry. The main thing is that they are in the same style. It is wrong to combine jewelry of different colors in different zones, that is, for example, red alloy earrings with a white metal bracelet - there must be a transition. To make this set match, you can add a red one to the white bracelet.

Classic colors

The alloy 999 fine or 24 karat is too soft, easily scratched and deformed. Therefore, its main use is storage in ingots, like bank metal. Jewelers have been using alloys to make jewelry for a long time.

Most often, they contain copper and silver as additives, but there are also other chemical elements that impart special properties and color.

Yellow

Traditional combination of gold, silver and copper. To achieve this color, use one of the following proportions:

This alloy perfectly resists the aggressive influence of the external environment and has an attractive appearance.

White

It is formed with the addition of one of the white metals: nickel, palladium, zinc. Sometimes alloys with platinum are found, but their cost turns out to be unreasonably high. Indeed, to obtain a true white color, platinum in the compound must be at least 10% of the total mass. In the jewelry industry, the most common compounds are gold-silver-palladium and gold-zinc-nickel-copper. Recently, nickel-based alloys are used less and less due to the occurrence of an allergic reaction to this metal.

So which gold is better to buy?!

White, red, yellow and even pink... If you still haven’t decided on the answer to the question “which gold is better,” let’s summarize what we learned from the article.

• The amount of precious metal in a piece of jewelry depends not on the color, but on the sample, so the question “what color gold is better” can only be decided from the point of view of the buyer’s taste preferences, but not the quality of the material.
• The price of alloys of different colors differs slightly - red gold is the most affordable, white rhodium-plated gold is a little more expensive, yellow is the most expensive of the three due to the least widespread.
• The ligature can be of different quality. Often, it is precisely because of poor-quality ligature that debates arise on the topic “Which gold is better.”

Summary: it is impossible to answer the question of which gold is considered the best in quality based only on a description of its color, since this is only a matter of taste. To buy jewelry of guaranteed quality, choose products from Russian factories: in our country, close attention is paid to the control of the circulation of precious metals; the risk of buying gold jewelry of a low standard or with a low-grade ligature appears only if you purchase jewelry secondhand or in unverified stores, trust private masters without a decent reputation.

All shades of gold are near you! The St. Petersburg jewelry factory "Diva" guarantees the quality of its products: compliance with the sample, hypoallergenicity, reliability of setting of precious stones. In addition, we promise that in our salons you will receive aesthetic pleasure from fabulously luxurious jewelry collections. Each “Diva” jewelry is a happy story that is ready to happen in your life!

Which is better: white or yellow?

Which gold is better, white or yellow? The presented metals have their pros and cons. We examined the main disadvantages - periodic jewelry repairs of products made from both metals.

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To decide which gold is better, white or yellow, you should pay attention to the stones. For example, if a diamond has a small color scale - K or L, then give preference to products made of yellow gold. This will help disguise the yellowish tint of the stone.

If the diamond has no color at all, then you can choose white gold. And if you do not trust the presented metals, then we recommend purchasing platinum jewelry.

Platinum is overpriced, but it is difficult to scratch, and when polished it can not be rhodium-plated.