Last updated on December 27, 2022
White, yellow and rose gold are very popular when it comes to choosing a setting for a jewellery piece. Contrary to popular belief, they differ not only in their colour but also in composition. Although selecting the type of gold should be based on personal preference, some tips may affect your choice. White gold vs yellow gold vs rose gold – let’s see what is the difference.
What Is Yellow Gold?
Yellow gold, or simply gold, is a luminous yellow precious metal that occurs naturally. It was the first metal widely known to our species that has always been powerful stuff.
The purest form of gold has been used in jewellery since ancient times, dating back to 4000 B.C. Yellow gold peaked in popularity during the Georgian (1714 – 1830) and Victorian (1837 – 1901) eras when jewellers saw the benefit of mixing pure gold with other metals to make it harder, more durable and less expensive.
In its pure form, known as 24k gold, gold is a very soft metal, 2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. When used in jewellery production, it needs to be mixed with harder metals such as copper and zinc to make it suitable for crafting.
The amount of pure gold used in a jewellery piece depends on its karatage, where a higher karat means a purer gold content. However, this also means a less durable metal, which is why 14k and 18k gold is considered to be optimal for jewellery production today.
Pros of Yellow Gold
- Historically the most popular metal used for jewellery.
- The most hypoallergenic type of all three gold colours.
- Features the purest colour.
- Easy to match with diamonds of a lower colour grade.
- Easy to work with.
Cons of Yellow Gold
- Needs to be cleaned and polished regularly.
- Prone to dents and scratches.
What Is White Gold?
White gold does not exist naturally. It is a mixture of yellow gold and white metals such as palladium, silver, nickel and zinc. These alloys give white gold a paler colour, more hardness and more durability. The silvery-white colour is achieved by final coating with a metal called rhodium.
White gold as we know it today was invented in the 19th century but did not become popular until the economic boom following World War I (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918). During that period, platinum was needed for many military purposes, and white gold was used in jewellery as an easy and less expensive alternative. Since then, white gold has become a popular choice for engagement and wedding rings, as well as other jewellery pieces.
Pros of White Gold
- Probably the most popular gold colour nowadays.
- Less expensive than platinum.
- More durable and scratch-resistant than yellow gold due to the stronger metals mixed.
Cons of White Gold
- Needs to be rhodium replated every few months to retain its silvery-white colour and lustre.
- May cause allergic reactions if contains nickel.
What Is Rose Gold?
Just like white gold, rose gold does not exist naturally. It is a mix of pure yellow gold with copper and silver alloys. These metals make rose gold harder and give its beautiful rose colour. The depth of colour in rose gold depends on the amount of copper used, meaning the higher copper content will result in a reddish rose colour.
The history of rose gold goes back to early 19th century Russia when the famed jeweller Carl Faberge first used rose gold in his Faberge Eggs. Later rose gold gained popularity in the US during the Art Deco period in the 1920s. The popularity of rose gold has come and gone over the decades. However, today this beautiful gold colour has taken its rightful place in the jewellery industry.
Pros of Rose Gold
- Often more affordable than other gold colours due to copper content which costs less.
- More durable than yellow and white gold due to the strength of copper.
- Easy to match with diamonds of a lower colour grade.
Cons of Rose Gold
- Needs to be cleaned and polished regularly.
- May cause allergic reactions.
Featured image: Mark S Johnson / Shutterstock
