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Yellow Gold vs. White Gold: Key Differences

January 25, 2023September 19, 2023Educationengagement rings, fine jewelry, jewelry, wedding bands, white gold, yellow gold

Deciding between yellow gold vs. white gold? Let us help!

Gold has long been a classic metal choice for any piece of jewelry- and for good reason! Gold is both strong and stunning.

But when shopping for engagement rings, wedding bands, or even fine jewelry, it’s a good idea to determine the differences between yellow and white gold.
Apart from looking different from one another, each metal feels different on the skin, can have different price tags, and vary in durability.

In this blog, we’re going to break down the key differences between yellow gold and white to make your decision making process as easy as possible.

What Is White Gold?

Despite common misconceptions, white gold is always made up of pure gold and at least one other metal.

When the second metal (commonly palladium, nickel, or silver) is added to the gold base, it affects its color and strengthens it.

On its own, pure gold is quite soft and malleable. Alloy metals strengthen the gold while keeping its quintessential shine!

Interestingly, white gold is not completely white until it is plated with the precious rhodium. This rhodium coating adds a lustrous sheen to the jewelry and protects it from scratches. And an added benefit is that very few people are allergic to rhodium!

At the end of the process, white gold is sleek and shiny- similar to platinum or silver.

What Is Yellow Gold?

Did you know that yellow gold is not pure gold? Yellow gold is composed of pure gold and at least one other white metal. For example, 18K gold is a mixture of 75% pure gold and 25% other white metals.

This is a breakdown of the common types of gold:

24K – 100% pure gold
22K – 92% gold and 8% alloyed metals
18K – 75% gold and 25% alloyed metals
14K – 58% gold and 42% alloyed metals

As you can see, the higher the karat number, the more pure gold there is.

Unfortunately, pure gold is far too soft to be worn as everyday jewelry. So white metals are added to strengthen the metal and give it that soft and creamy yellow that we all know and love.

Yellow gold has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Due to its historical rarity, gold was seen as a symbol of wealth and status. And even today, yellow gold remains highly desirable and sophisticated!

What Is The Difference Between Yellow Gold & White Gold?

The most obvious difference between these two beautiful metals is their color. White gold has a silvery tone, while yellow gold has that classic golden hue.

If you want to wear a metal color that looks best with your skin tone, match your metal to pre-owned jewelry, or include certain gems onto your metal, the color will make all the difference.

Since the properties are mostly the same, it all comes down to visual preference. That being said, both metals have their own pros and cons. Keep reading to find out what they are in more depth!

Yellow Gold vs. White Gold

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Yellow Gold vs. White Gold

Durability

Yellow gold is the most expensive and the least durable of the two metals. Yellow gold is more prone to scratches and dents, making it not the most durable option. This metal will also require regular polishing to keep its shine.

On the other hand, white gold has far more resistance to wear and tear. With its rhodium plating, white gold jewelry pieces have a shiny and strong finish. Unfortunately, this plating can wear off over time and may reveal the yellow-ish color underneath. While white gold is a stronger alternative to yellow gold, it still requires proper care and maintenance.

Neither metal is hassle-free, but white gold is generally the safer and stronger option.

Price & Affordability

Believe it or not, yellow gold and white gold are frequently equal in cost. This is especially true if the percentage of pure gold is the same. For example, 14K white gold will be comparable in cost to 14K yellow gold.

In some instances, white gold may be slightly more expensive due to the rhodium plating.

At the end of the day, these two metals are rarely placed at drastically different price points.

Hypoallergenic Properties

Generally, white gold is considered to be more hypoallergenic than yellow gold. This is because of the alloyed metals that are added to the base (such as nickel or palladium), which are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

That being said, it is still very possible that someone may also have a sensitivity to white gold. It’s worth noting that even though white gold is considered hypoallergenic, it is not completely free of allergens.

If you know that you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, it’s always best to consult with a dermatologist or a jeweler before buying gold jewelry of any kind.

Especially when deciding on an everyday piece of jewelry- it’s best to make sure you’ll be comfortable!

Color

As we know, the color of these two metals is their key difference.

In general, yellow gold tends to compliment warm skin tones beautifully. Yellow gold will bring out the warmth of yellow, olive, or medium-dark skin tones, creating a radiant glow.

White gold, on the other hand, tends to compliment cool skin tones well. White gold can give you a fresh and vibrant look if you have slightly paler skin with pink or red undertones.

That being said, it is so important to remember that personal preference plays a huge role in choosing your color of gold. Some people may prefer the classic and traditional look of yellow gold, while others may prefer the modern and sleek look of white gold, regardless of skin color.

Wear what you like and what makes you feel good!

Weight

The weight difference between yellow gold and white gold can vary depending on the specific piece of jewelry, but in general, the weight of the gold itself should be roughly the same.

The difference in weight between the two comes from the other metals used to alloy it. White gold typically requires more alloy metals than yellow gold to achieve its silvery color, which can make it slightly heavier. But this difference in weight would be minimal and barely noticeable when being worn.

Ultimately, weight should not be a significant factor when deciding on a type of gold- both are durable and long-lasting choices for your jewelry.

Popularity

The popularity of yellow gold versus white gold really depends on what type of jewelry you’re looking at.

In a very general sense, white gold has risen in popularity, especially in engagement rings. White gold has a modern and sleek appearance that appeals to many young people moving away from the traditional look of yellow gold.

On the other hand, yellow gold remains a timeless choice that is still popular in wedding bands and many types of fine jewelry.

Why Choose A White Gold Engagement Ring?

There are plenty of reasons why white gold will make a great metal for your engagement ring!

The color of white gold is very similar to that of platinum but is less expensive, making it a more affordable option for the same look!

Platinum Shared Prong Marquise Side Stone Diamond Engagement Ring

White gold is also a durable metal that can withstand everyday wear and tear, making it a practical choice for your engagement ring.

White gold is incredibly versatile; it will look good with a number of gemstones and styles! They even say that white gold tends to reflect the sparkle of any diamonds on your ring, enhancing their size and brilliance!

14K White Gold Petite Pavé Cathedral Engagement Ring

Why Choose A Yellow Gold Engagement Ring?

You simply cannot go wrong with a yellow gold engagement ring! This is a metal that has been used in jewelry for centuries!

Yellow gold has a warm, classic, and traditional appearance that many find attractive. Evoking these feelings suits engagement rings perfectly.

Yellow Gold Claw Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring

Also, if your ring has diamonds or warm-toned stones such as ruby, morganite, and purple sapphire, gold will pair nicely.

Because of yellow gold’s prevalence in jewelry, finding a wedding band or fine jewelry to match it will not be hard. Plus, they say yellow gold looks good on everyone!

14K Yellow Gold Three Stone Pear Shaped Engagement Ring

FAQs

Which is better, white or yellow gold?

This all comes down to personal preference! If you have cool toned skin, white gold may be better for you. If you like the classic look of traditional jewelry, yellow gold may be better for you. It all depends on what you are looking for in your jewelry. Wear whatever feels best to you!

Is yellow gold more expensive than white gold?

Generally, the answer is no. More often than not, yellow gold and white gold with the same amount of pure gold will cost the exact same. If they’re not, it’s actually more likely that white gold will be more expensive due to its rhodium plating.

Does white or yellow gold last longer?

With the proper care, both yellow gold and white gold can last a very long time!

Even though the rhodium plating that is often coated on top of white gold strengthens the metal, it can wear off over time and need to be reapplied.

Unlike white gold, yellow gold doesn’t require plating or re-plating.

It’s important to remember that all gold jewelry will eventually show signs of wear and tear and may need to be polished or repaired over time.

Is yellow gold out of style?

Not at all! While white gold has definitely risen in popularity recently, yellow gold is as strong as ever. Yellow gold can still be found in engagement rings, wedding bands, and all types of fine jewelry. Just like diamonds, they say yellow gold is never out of style!

Final Thoughts

With two stunning metals to choose from, it can be tricky to figure out which one is best for you. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preferences and needs. Whether you decide on donning a silvery white gold piece or a creamy yellow gold piece, you’ll know they’re both stunning.

Check out all that James Allen offers- in yellow and white gold!

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Rachel Glassman

Armed with five years of writing experience, Rachel aims to turn dense topics into easily understandable content, one shining word at a time.

What Is The Best Diamond Color For Yellow Gold Rings?

September 14, 2022August 8, 2024Diamonds, Engagement Ringsdiamond color, diamond engagement rings, diamond rings, diamonds, lab created diamonds, yellow gold

Obsessed with yellow gold rings? So are we! Just remember, the diamond color you pick matters if you want your center stone to sparkle just right. Join us as we explore the best diamond color options for your dream yellow gold engagement ring.

Three yellow gold diamond engagement rings with different diamond center stone shapes

What Is Yellow Gold?

Yellow gold, or simply gold, is a precious metal that occurs naturally and is best used as jewelry and other decorative objects. This soft metal, in its purest form, can bend easily and therefore be manipulated into our favorite accessories, from gold earrings to yellow gold wedding bands, when combined with harder metal alloys.

Fun fact: the first-ever engagement ring was made from yellow gold with a simple bezel set diamond center stone.

What Does A Diamond Color Grade Mean?

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) sets the benchmark for the diamond industry. The world’s oldest, largest, and most reputable institute of gemological research and learning is responsible for analyzing and certifying the color, cut, clarity, and carat weight (the 4Cs) of all diamonds. Learn more about the 4Cs here.

The GIA color scale goes from D to Z, categorized into five groups: colorless, near colorless, faint, very light, and light. As the letter or category goes, the yellow tint increases as well. The tint is basically indistinguishable to the untrained eye, especially in lower grades. However, these same differences greatly affect how a diamond’s quality is assessed and, of course, its price.

Generally, the tint becomes more noticeable as the color grading system gets lower.

A chart illustrating the 4Cs of diamond grading

Colorless Diamonds For Yellow Gold Rings

Color grades D-F are absolutely colorless, setting the colorless standard. When you hear diamonds being described as ice, it is likely a D, E, or F color diamond. They are simply spectacular, and they look stunning with any metal color ring setting.

Remember that the higher the color grade, the more expensive the diamond. That being said, if you have the budget for a colorless diamond, know that it will look perfect and shine with brilliance when set in your preferred yellow gold engagement ring.

Near Colorless Diamonds For Yellow Gold Rings

G, H, I, and J color diamonds make up the near-colorless range. Generally, one cannot tell these diamonds have this subtle warmth unless they are placed side by side with another diamond that is truly colorless.

When viewed and graded by an expert gemologist, a near colorless diamond might appear to have a very faint yellow tint.

Although these diamonds have a slight hint of color, they’re almost impossible to detect with the naked eye. Generally, near colorless diamonds are recommended to be set in lighter metals to avoid the color reflection from yellow or rose gold ring settings. However, we know plenty of ways around this!

If you’re leaning towards a diamond in the near-colorless range, fancy shapes such as emerald, marquise, Asscher, radiant, and cushion-shaped diamonds aren’t ideal for concealing color and usually tend to have a darker appeal. For this reason, it’s best to opt for a round or oval cut diamond to set with your yellow gold engagement ring.

Faint Diamonds For Yellow Gold Rings

It’s worth noting that color is not the only thing to consider when purchasing a diamond. The other 3Cs can also play a huge role in the way your chosen color grade presents on an engagement ring or piece of fine jewelry.

Nevertheless, diamonds in the faint color grade, K, L, and M, are considered to have a faint tint. So, in short, they do show a slight tint of color. But does that mean they aren’t suitable as the center or accent stones for your yellow gold engagement ring? Not at all.

If you have your heart set on a faint diamond, it’s best to choose a diamond shape that is able to conceal or even disguise the color. Luckily you have many options to choose from, from classics like the round brilliant or princess cut, to edgier shapes like emerald and Asscher.

Try to avoid shapes like cushion cuts or radiant cuts as the color will be more noticeable, especially in a yellow or rose gold ring setting.

Ring Settings and Diamond Color

Whether you’re customizing your dream engagement ring online or buying it in a store, there are plenty of different ring settings to choose from. But when it comes to yellow gold rings and diamond colors, not all gold settings are going to do your chosen diamond color justice.

The Best Ring Settings For A Colorless Diamond

For colorless diamonds, your choice of ring setting is virtually unrestricted. Whether you want your diamond to stand alone in a solitaire engagement ring or you want it surrounded by diamond accents in a pave setting, your center stone will steal the show every time!

The Best Ring Settings For A Near Colorless Diamond

Near colorless diamonds are a little trickier because of their almost light yellow tint. If you’d prefer settings with side stones or a pave setting, it’s best you don’t go below H color, with an exception for round, princess cut, emerald, or Asscher, in which case you can go as low as an I color diamond.

Halo settings are even more restrictive for near colorless diamonds in yellow gold, so don’t go below H color no matter the cut.

The Best Ring Setting For A Faint Color Diamond

The best settings for faint-colored diamonds are solitaire and bezel settings, where ideally, the center stone is the only diamond. In this sense, diamond side accents will have no effect on how the center stone is presented. Often side diamonds can make the yellow tint more obvious, but when the diamond stands alone, it’s harder to identify the color.

Diamond Prices for Different Color Grades

Buying a diamond is no easy decision. You have to consider your budget, your partner’s expectations and preferences, and where the best place to buy it is.

See the chart below for some price comparisons of loose earth-created diamonds at JamesAllen. It’s important to remember that the diamonds of similar color grade, cut, and carat weight will be more than 3 times more affordable when choosing the lab created counterparts.

We’ll compare diamonds of the highest color grade to the most popular near-colorless and faint-colored diamonds.

Price comparison chart of D color diamond to other grades

Prong Metal Color

When you’re choosing a setting, make sure you take note of the prongs that will hold your diamond center stone in place. It’s not always a given that your yellow gold ring settings will also have yellow gold prongs, some may have white gold prongs. If that is the case with your chosen ring, the white metal will make diamonds with low color grades look a little off.

Pro tip: For white gold prongs, it’s best to stick to an H or I color diamond. Your jeweler may be able to switch the prongs to yellow gold instead. If you’re customizing your ring online, you’ll have a wider variety of similar settings to choose from with yellow gold prong options.

FAQs

Does yellow gold affect diamond color?

Yes, dark-colored metals like rose and yellow gold have the biggest effect on diamonds because the diamonds will reflect some of the metal’s color.

What gems go with yellow gold?

Of course! Apart from colorless diamonds, gems that are blue, red, purple, pink, orange, and green pair surprisingly well with yellow gold. The more vivid the gem, the better it looks set in yellow gold jewelry.

Do diamonds look better in rose or yellow gold?

Not all diamonds look better in warmer golds. K to Z color grade diamonds will be noticeably yellow and so expert gemologists and jewelers often recommend going with a yellow gold engagement ring setting to give your diamond ring a more vintage look.

Is yellow gold outdated?

Yellow gold continues to be a fashion mainstay year after year. Yellow gold jewelry is essentially a timeless staple anyone should add to their jewelry box.

Parting Thoughts

We hope this helped you, and if you’re still left unsure about which diamond color is the best choice for your yellow gold engagement ring, our 24/7 diamond and jewelry experts are at your service!

Visit JamesAllen.com today to find the perfect diamond for you, all viewable in 360°HD, with a real-time diamond inspection consultant. Book your free consultation today!

Jessica Thomas

Jessica is a seasoned content writer with four years of experience and a qualified gemologist. She enjoys educating new shoppers on the best practices for buying jewelry.