WHITE GOLD VS. ROSE GOLD VS. YELLOW GOLD:WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU?
WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU?
There's no denying that gold is a popular metal for jewelry. But with so many different colors of gold to choose from, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. So let's take a look at the three most popular colors of gold and see which one might be the best match for you.
FIRST, WHY ALLOY GOLD?
There are many reasons why alloying pure gold is a good idea. For one, it increases the gold's durability. Gold is a very soft metal, so it can easily be scratched or dented when made into jewelry or other objects. Adding other metals to the gold makes it much more resistant to wear and tear.
COMPOSITION:
Yellow gold contains pure gold and other alloy metals, such as copper or silver. The proportion of gold to other metals varies but is usually around 75% gold to 25% other metals. Pure yellow gold is too soft to be used in jewelry, so it is often alloyed with other metals to create a more durable metal. Yellow gold is the traditional choice for engagement rings and other fine jewelry, as its classic color never goes out of style.
DURABILITY:
We find that due to its copper component, rose gold tends to be the strongest. White gold requires the most upkeep to maintain its white metal brilliance, whereas yellow gold is the easiest to maintain.
STYLE:
SKIN TONES:
HYPOALLERGENIC PROPERTIES:
White gold is not naturally hypoallergenic, but it can be made to be hypoallergenic through a process called "rhodium plating." This process covers the white gold with a thin layer of rhodium, a metal less likely to cause allergic reactions. So, while white gold is not hypoallergenic by nature, it can be made to be hypoallergenic through rhodium plating.
White gold contains trace amounts of nickel, which is a common allergen. When you plate white gold with rhodium, the nickel is covered and less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Rhodium is also a very hard metal, so it can help protect the white gold from scratches. However, this plating can fade with time, and you must replate it every few years to maintain its hypoallergenic properties.
Rose gold is made by alloying yellow gold with copper, giving the metal its pinkish color. Rose gold does not contain nickel, so it is naturally hypoallergenic. Copper is also a less common allergen, so rose gold is even more unlikely to cause an allergic reaction than white gold; however, some people may still be allergic to copper.
Yellow gold is made by alloying pure gold with silver, copper, and zinc. While yellow gold does not contain nickel, it may still contain trace amounts of other metals, such as copper and zinc. These metals are less likely to cause allergic reactions than nickel, but they can still do so in some people. The higher the karat weight of the gold, the less likely it is to cause an allergic reaction, as there are fewer of these other alloy metals in the alloy.
Gold is a naturally hypoallergenic metal, but some people may still be allergic to it. The best way to determine if you are allergic to gold is to consult with a jeweler or medical professional. They can perform a skin test to see if you are allergic to gold. If you are allergic to gold, other options are still available, such as platinum or palladium. These metals are even less likely to cause an allergic reaction than gold.
JEWELRY CARE
WRAPPING UP: