Who knew gold came in so many different varieties?! If you didn’t already know, gold can be purchased in three different types which are yellow, white and rose. Here we will be looking into the three different kinds to help you decide which gold is more your style and help you make the decision on which type to purchase for your next piece of jewelry!
Yellow Gold: Yellow Gold, particularly used for jewelry, is an alloy made by combining pure gold with metals like zinc and copper. Meaning, to many people’s surprise, yellow gold is not pure gold. As with most other gold varieties, the higher the karat amount, the higher the actual gold content. However, gold is a soft metal, so the higher the karat, the less durable it is - which is why most rings are made with 18-14K gold. It gives the piece that beautiful golden hue, while being able to withstand the demands of everyday wear. It is important to keep in mind the yellow gold (particularly higher karat) will easily scratch and dent and needs to be cleaned/polished regularly.
White Gold: White Gold is an alloy of gold and white metal, usually palladium, nickel or manganese. Like yellow, white gold’s purity is defined in karats. White gold jewelry often contains nickel, which provides the strength needed for a durable foundation that lasts. Basically, white gold is stronger and more durable than yellow, and is less susceptible to scratching/denting. Also, if you like the platinum look without the huge price tag, white gold is a good contender. On the other hand, white gold that does contain nickel can cause allergic reactions in some people with sensitive skin. If you have a nickel allergy, and want to wear white gold, you will need to choose jewelry made with a nickel free alloy.
*This metal needs to be dipped every few years in order to retain luster and color.
Rose Gold: Rose gold is a gold and copper alloy that is sometimes referred to as red or pink gold. Rose gold is particularly popular in vintage-inspired engagement and wedding rings are popping as a poplar metal among jewelers. Rose gold is the strongest of the three gold types, as copper is very sturdy, pertaining to an alloy that is tougher than yellow or white gold. It can be combined with white or yellow gold to create a beautiful multi-colored piece! However, copper can cause allergic reactions in some individuals as well and is not considered hypo-allergenic.
It can be a little challenging to differentiate between the different kinds of gold out there. Ultimately, the choice is up to you (or your loved one) to decide which gold to go for - and to be honest, you can’t go wrong with either one!
At PaulaMax Jewelry, we have plenty of variety to choose from! You can take a look at our selection of silver or gold alternative engagement rings, our birthstone promise ring or chic birthstone necklaces.
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