As I watch the beautiful Fall leaves turn colors and swirl in the wind, it got me thinking of the various colors of gold! Most of us grew up knowing that gold was yellow, so it can be a bit bewildering when jewelers talk about white gold or rose gold. What does that mean exactly?
Whether it is 10kt, 14kt, 18kt, or any other karat, gold is also ALWAYS yellow in color. Gold is also soft, so other metals are added to make it strong enough to wear in jewelry. These other metals create an opportunity to change the overall metal color, thus creating white or rose variations!
· White gold has nickel, palladium, & zinc. Many people are allergic to nickel, so many alloys contain very small amounts of it or none.
· Rose gold has a high percentage of copper with some silver mixed in as well
White gold will never be bright white on its own. It is plated with a metal called rhodium to give it a clean, white look. The plating does come off giving the metal a warmer appearance. I wear white gold primarily, and I don’t notice the warmer color unless I am comparing it to a brand-new ring. You can get your ring re-plated with rhodium, and it generally costs around $50-$75 depending the jeweler. If you think that the slightly warmer appearance will drive you nuts, I recommend going with platinum as it is a naturally white metal.
Rose gold can be slightly softer than the other mixes of gold. If you have a large center diamond, I recommend using a white gold head (the head is the part that holds the diamond) to keep it secure. While style is important in jewelry, strength and security of gemstones is higher in the priority on the list. (Ain’t no one have time to lose a diamond!)
Over the years, each metal color has had its time in the spotlight. Victorian era favored yellow and rose gold mixes, while Edwardian and Art Deco favored white gold and platinum. I recommend trying all the colors on to find the color or colors you like best! Who says you have to wear only one??
Another thing to consider is the gemstone your jewelry is in. Diamonds magically go with any metal color, but some gemstones look better in certain metal colors. For instance, the rich apple-green color of Peridot looks radiant in yellow gold, and the pale pink of Morganite looks luscious in rose gold.
I would love to help you find the perfect metal color! Angela Cisneros Jewelry Concierge brings back the joy and confidence of jewelry shopping, so that you can celebrate with ease! My by-appointment approach means:
One-on-one appointments (personal attention and no crowds!)
Discretion and privacy (surprises remain surprises!)
Expert help from a Graduate Gemologist with 24 years of experience (yep, that’s me!)
Book your FREE appointment with me today! www.angelacisneros.com/book-appointment