Gold is a noble metal and relevant at all times. Depending on the weight of the jewelry and the complexity of its manufacture, everyone can choose a product for their pocket. But if earlier the classic yellow gold was the most familiar, now its various shades have taken their place on the market - white, pink, red, green, blue, black.
The most popular and valuable is considered to be White gold. It will especially appeal to those who do not like yellow metal, but are considering purchasing gold jewelry. Such products are elegant, refined and look great in combination with precious stones.
If the color is not the primary criterion, then when choosing a piece of jewelry made of yellow or white gold, you must keep in mind that their properties are somewhat different. Each option has both its advantages and disadvantages.
What is the difference between white gold and yellow
Pure gold has a bright yellow color, it is soft and easily deformable. Therefore, for the manufacture of jewelry, it is not used, but mixed with other metals - ligatures.
The composition and ratio of alloying elements in a gold alloy determine its color and other physical properties.
Thus, the differences between white gold and ordinary yellow gold are associated with the introduction of different components into their alloys. In most cases:
- в yellow alloys add silver (Ag) and copper (Cu);
- в white – silver (Ag) and nickel (Ni) / palladium (Pd) / platinum (Pt).
Sometimes ligatures, characteristic of yellow alloys, are used for white ones, and vice versa, to obtain the desired properties and shades of the metal.
To better understand the difference between these two types of gold, it is necessary to dwell on their characteristics in more detail.
How is the color of the alloy obtained?
The color of the yellow alloy is due copper to silver ratio in its composition. For example, the most common gold of the 585th test has a bright and saturated yellow color with almost the same content of alloying components - 22,75% Cu and 18,75% Ag. The less copper, the paler the shade. Further increase in its amount will lead to reddening of the material.
The white alloy is obtained by "discoloration" of gold by an alloying metal:
- добавление nickel imparts a pale yellow color to the alloy. To obtain a white color, its content is increased to 10-14%. The maximum effect is obtained at 17% of the ligature;
- palladium leaves a barely noticeable yellowness, which disappears when the ligature content is about 16%. At the same time, the luster of the metal is brighter and more radiant than when nickel is added, a steel shade appears;
- platinum has the most effective effect in the "whitening" of the gold alloy - about 8% in the composition is enough. The luster of the metal is cold, aristocratic.
White gold alloyed with palladium or platinum is considered noble.
In both yellow and white gold can be added zinc. It contributes to the lightening of the alloy.
Mechanical properties of alloys
To increase hardness yellow gold use copper. However, a large amount of it leads to a deterioration in the anticorrosion properties of the alloy. To eliminate this disadvantage, the alloy is introduced silver. It increases the plasticity of the material and its resistance to corrosion.
Concerning white gold, the addition of nickel, palladium or platinum to the composition makes it highly anti-corrosive.
Nickel gives the alloy hardness and strength, such material is well polished. And here is the connection with palladium softer. Angular, intricately ornate products from this alloy are rarely made, since over time the corners can smooth out and lose their original appearance. However, this material has good ductility.
White gold is said to wear better than yellow gold. It is harder and less scratchy.
Platinum makes the gold alloy not only harder, but also elastic. This property is useful in the manufacture of complex jewelry and for the subsequent insertion of precious stones.
Possible allergic reactions
Gold itself is absolutely harmless to humans. It does not enter into chemical reactions with other substances. Another thing is metals-ligatures.
Allergic reactions are especially common nickel, often found in white gold. That is why in Europe the use of such an alloy has been prohibited since 2000. It is desirable, of course, to choose products without this metal in the composition. As an option, you can consider jewelry not of the 585th test of gold, but of the 750th. If nickel gets into such an alloy, then in much smaller quantities.
More allergen ligatures include copper and less often zinc. If a gold jewelry, for example, a ring or a chain, has darkened on the skin, then this is a consequence of the oxidation of copper. Such an effect can appear both when the metal interacts with the external environment, and with human skin (reaction to sweat). In such cases, it is also recommended to choose items made of 750-carat yellow gold, which contains less ligature.
The appearance of allergic reactions is now relevant for many people, so you should always pay attention to the composition of the gold alloy.
When purchasing jewelry with a high standard, it must be borne in mind that a large amount of gold makes them soft and they are subject to external loads. Such products are more easily scratched and deformed, so they must be worn more carefully.
Allergy to nickel, which is used in large quantities in inexpensive jewelry, is much more common than to copper. Therefore, it is believed that from this point of view, white gold is more dangerous than yellow.
Platinum - a metal that does not cause any allergic reactions. For people prone to such health problems, white gold-platinum alloy may be the only option.
Which is more expensive: regular yellow gold or white
With the same amount of gold in yellow and white alloys, their price will depend on type of alloying elements and their percentage.
Copper, Nickel and Zinc are non-precious inexpensive metals. In this case, the cost of the yellow and white alloy will be approximately the same.
The price of white gold with the addition of palladium will be higher than with nickel. And, finally, the most expensive alloy - with platinum. These are noble metals, which are not cheap in themselves, especially platinum. In addition, working with these materials is more difficult than with conventional metals.
Due to the harmfulness of nickel, jewelry manufacturers are increasingly alloying gold with palladium or platinum, thereby increasing the cost of the white alloy.
Is it possible to turn yellow gold into white gold?
There is an inexpensive way to turn ordinary yellow gold into white gold - delivery. It consists in applying a very thin (a few microns) layer of rhodium to the surface of the product.
Rhodium is a noble metal that belongs to the platinum group and is white in color. The decoration processed in this way acquires perfect coverage - smooth, shiny, without yellowness and other additional shades. In addition, rhodium strengthens and strengthens the product. However, the coating has one significant disadvantage - fragility. Over time, upon contact with the skin, the rhodium layer wears off, revealing the original alloy. Such a product loses its attractive appearance.
To preserve the beauty of the jewelry, it is recommended to periodically re-render it in a jewelry workshop.
Rhodium is not only plated with yellow gold. It is also actively used for inexpensive white alloys:
- rhodium is a hypoallergenic metal, so it is applied to an alloy of gold and nickel to avoid contact of nickel with the skin;
- the surface of the decoration acquires a pure white color;
- a rhodium-plated product, like platinum, has an expensive noble look and spectacular shine, but it costs much less.
Are these 2 alloys compatible?
More recently, it was believed that wearing metals of different colors at the same time is a sign of bad taste. And many people still hold this view. However, in modern trends - the destruction of the usual stereotypes. Do not be afraid to combine different metals and several colors in one image.
Combination of white and yellow gold in one piece
Many manufacturers have in their collections products from a combination of gold of different colors.
A combination of yellow and white metal is popular in rings. It can be either just double thin rings, or wider products in which metals expressively complement and emphasize the beauty of each other. This combination is very common in wedding rings.
The combination of yellow and white gold is often used in the manufacture of original pendants, suspensions и brooches. The play of colors allows you to make a bright and unusual piece of jewelry.
Combination of white and yellow gold jewelry
The product, which uses both white and yellow gold at the same time, acts as a connecting element between these colors. It is believed that in this case, the image can be safely combined with different shades of metal. For example, white gold earrings and a yellow ring are suitable for a two-tone pendant.
Wearing yellow gold with white is possible if the selected jewelry looks stylish and restrained.
If you want to wear different products that differ in color, then in this case you should be guided by the principle of moderation so that the image does not become too clumsy and tasteless. It's best to stick to the following Recommendations:
- you can combine two products of the same type if they are designed in a minimalist style. For example, yellow and white thin chains, or two neat chain bracelets, or two laconic rings;
- if one of the products is massive and complex, then the second should be as simple as possible. For example, a large yellow gold ring with an insert stone can be combined with a thin, even white metal ring;
- a successful combination can be created from jewelry that is similar in style or design. Chain weaving, shape, decorative elements, insert stones - products must be connected by some common theme.
If it is difficult to combine yellow and white gold on your own, you should choose jewelry from one collection. Modern manufacturers often produce product lines from different metals, while adhering to a certain design.
So in the end it's better what to choose
When choosing a piece of jewelry, you must be guided by your own preferences, adhering to the already formed style of clothing and possible combination with other accessories.
Jewelry should please and bring joy to its owner, regardless of its color.
To help you choose between bright classic yellow and discreet white gold, there are the following recommendations.
Choosing the color of gold jewelry according to the type of appearance
In order for the color of gold to blend well with the appearance, should focus on your color type:
- yellow gold is best for people with dark or golden skin that has warm undertones. These are bright representatives of the color type "autumn". Yellow metal goes well with dark, copper and red hair, sets off a bronze tan;
- representatives "spring", which has a delicate, warm and light appearance, it is also recommended to wear yellow gold. It will make the image more vivid and expressive;
- white gold will favorably emphasize the aristocratic pallor of fair-skinned people. Such decorations are suitable for color types. "summer" и "winter". White metal harmonizes with cold tones in appearance and sets off light brown, ashy, brown and black hair.
Combination of gold with precious stones
Gold jewelry with precious stones-inserts look especially beautiful and elegant. Depending on the color of the stone, both white and yellow alloy can be an ideal frame for it.
Expensive and luxurious Diamonds reveal all their splendor in combination with white gold.
Cold metal emphasizes the transparency and brilliance of the stone, allowing it to play with all colors.
When using warm metal to frame diamonds, yellow hues begin to predominate in their brilliance. This is acceptable if the stone itself has the original yellowness, and allows you to hide it.
Also White gold is a discreet addition to cold colored stones, for example, topazes, sapphires, emeralds, aquamarines, pearls.
Yellow gold works well in combination with warm stones. It harmoniously looks with sunny shades of amber, sapphire, topaz, tourmaline, bright ruby and carnelian.
Of course, such combinations are optional. Cold stones can be "warmed" by the warmth of yellow gold and vice versa. Now the jewelry market presents a variety of jewelry that will appeal to the most demanding customers.
It is best to purchase products made of yellow and white gold in well-known and reliable jewelry stores that are responsible for their quality and provide certificates. Particular attention should be paid to the composition of the white alloy and the presence of a coating on the decoration so that it pleases its owner for a long time.
