Gold is one of the oldest and most important metals used by humankind in jewelry making, and it holds a special place in various cultures as a symbol of wealth and beauty. With the development of jewelry making, two main types of gold have emerged: white gold and yellow gold.
Although both types possess the same fundamental value as precious metals, there are distinct differences between them in composition, appearance, and use. Therefore, understanding these differences can help in making an informed decision when choosing jewelry that suits personal tastes and needs.
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What are the differences in properties between white gold and yellow gold?
The difference between white and yellow gold is in terms of the percentage of gold and the type of metals added. Yellow gold contains a high percentage of pure gold, usually ranging from 75% to 92%, with the addition of copper and silver, while white gold contains a lower percentage of pure gold compared to yellow gold, at a percentage of less than 75%, and nickel, palladium, and silver are added to it.
Features and characteristics of yellow gold
Yellow gold has many uses because it possesses many properties such as ductility, malleability, and ductility, and it is easy to shape, in addition to the following properties:
- Yellow gold is characterized by its malleability and ease of shaping.
- It also has the characteristic of shine, luster and radiance, especially the 21 and 24 karats.
- It is called "tibr," which is the state of yellow gold before it is incorporated into jewelry making.
- It is generally found in nature, where yellow gold takes the form of grains.
- It is a malleable and ductile metal.
- Its purity level varies depending on the standard used.
- Its color does not change with use; in the simplest ways, we can restore its shine and luster.
- It is unaffected by acids, unlike other minerals.
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Features and characteristics of white gold
White gold possesses a number of characteristics that greatly distinguish it in the market, most notably:
- It is characterized by extreme strength and rigidity.
- It is unaffected by acids used to dissolve other metals.
- It expands slowly when exposed to high temperatures, and its melting point is high, so it needs huge, heat-resistant furnaces to melt it.
- A layer of rhodium plating is added to it to give it more durability and strength.
- White gold does not oxidize at high temperatures.
- White gold does not rust or change color when exposed to air.
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How can I tell the difference between white gold and yellow gold?
White gold and yellow gold differ in several aspects such as shape, weight, carats, and price:
The difference between white and yellow gold in terms of appearance
- White gold : It is characterized by its silvery or white color, similar to platinum or silver. It gives a modern and sophisticated look, and is often rhodium-plated for added shine.
- Yellow gold : It retains its natural color, ranging from light to dark yellow. It is considered more traditional and popular in classic jewelry.
The difference between yellow and white gold by weight
- In terms of weight, there is no significant difference between white and yellow gold, as the weight depends primarily on the percentage of pure gold in the piece. The metals mixed with the gold have a slight effect on weight.
Differences in carats between white and yellow gold
- White gold and yellow gold are available in the same purities. Common purities include 18 karat (75% pure gold), 14 karat (58.5% pure gold), and 24 karat (99.9% pure gold). The difference lies in the ratio of pure gold to other metals used in the alloy.
- In the case of white gold, metals such as nickel or palladium are mixed with yellow gold to give it its white color.
- In yellow gold, metals such as copper or silver are mixed in to give it different shades of yellow.
Price difference between white and yellow gold
- White gold is usually slightly more expensive than yellow gold because of the rhodium plating process that is added to it, which needs to be re-plated over time to maintain its shine.
- Yellow gold tends to be slightly less expensive, but the price depends mainly on the karat, weight, and also the design of the piece.
In general, the main difference between white gold and yellow gold is color and appearance, while other characteristics such as carats and weight remain largely the same.
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The difference in price between white and yellow gold
The difference in price between white and yellow gold is the higher price of white gold. The price of yellow gold is due to the fact that it is plated with a material called rhodium, which gives it hardness and strength, unlike unplated yellow gold.
The price difference between white gold and yellow gold is due to several key factors:
- Alloy composition : Yellow gold typically contains copper and zinc to give it its traditional color, while white gold is mixed with metals such as palladium or nickel to achieve its white color. These metals may be more expensive than those used in yellow gold, thus increasing the price of white gold.
- Rhodium plating : White gold is often plated with rhodium, a rare and precious metal, to give it extra shine and increase its durability. The cost of rhodium plating contributes to the higher price of white gold compared to yellow gold.
- Manufacturing costs : The manufacturing process of white gold can be more complex and requires special techniques to achieve the desired color and appearance, which increases production costs and thus raises the final price.
- Supply and demand : In some markets, the demand for white gold may be higher than for yellow gold, leading to higher prices as a result of this increased demand.
All these factors combined contribute to making white gold more expensive in some cases than yellow gold.
If you wish to buy white or yellow gold for investment or personal use, you must choose a reliable place such as Nickels Gold and Jewelry Store , which has the purest gold bullion and a variety of yellow and white gold options to suit all budgets and tastes.
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