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What Determines The Color Of The Gold?

Home » Jewelry » What Is The Difference Between Yellow Gold And White Gold? » What Determines The Color Of The Gold?

The gold content of yellow gold is measured in the same way it is measured in white gold. An 18 karat white gold ring contains 75% pure gold, just as an 18 karat yellow gold contains 75% pure gold.

The metals used in the alloy mix determine the difference in color between yellow and white. Because the color difference is due to the metal components in the alloy mix, the color of yellow gold will not chip, fade or wear off with age.

Mixing pure gold with alloy metals such as copper and zinc makes yellow gold. White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium.

Traditionally nickel was used in white gold, however, nickel is no longer used in most white gold made today because nickel can cause reactions with some people. When white gold rings are new they can be coated with another white metal called Rhodium. Rhodium is a metal very similar to platinum and rhodium shares many of the properties of platinum, including its white color.

The rhodium plating is used to make the white gold look whiter. The natural color of white gold is actually a light gray color. The rhodium is very white and very hard, but it does wear away eventually. To keep a white gold ring looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately every 12 to 18 months.

There can be a difference in color between the different carats of gold.

Next Page: Is White Gold More Expensive Than Yellow Gold?

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