White Gold Vs Yellow Gold - Understanding the Differences

White gold and yellow gold are two of the most popular metal options - particularly when purchasing a wedding ring or engagement ring. While both are primarily crafted from pure gold, white and yellow gold have several distinctions that set them apart. 

What’s the main difference between white gold vs yellow gold?

Colour is the most obvious difference between white gold and yellow gold. White gold has a silvery-white in appearance, while yellow gold maintains the classic warm yellow gleam that is expected of pure gold. 

This distinction is the main deciding factor for most people when it comes to choosing a metal for an engagement ring or wedding ring — white gold is seen as the modern contemporary option, and yellow gold is selected for a more traditional aesthetic. 

However, the differences in colour between white gold and yellow gold lie beyond the colours of metal.

Composition of yellow gold vs white gold

Yellow and white gold are alloys — the appearance of each material is achieved through the careful alloying of gold metal with a range of other precious metals. The percentage of pure gold that is in yellow or white gold will depend on its gold karat rating. Gold alloys for fine jewellery usually come in 14K (58.3% pure gold) and 18K (75% pure gold), as these karats offer a good balance between a high percentage of pure gold and durability from alloyed metals. 

Yellow gold is created by alloying pure gold with copper, zinc, and silver. The warm yellow colour of gold is retained due to a high copper content compared to the other two metals. 

To create white gold, gold is alloyed with white metals like nickel, silver, platinum, or palladium. Nickel is less frequently used in contemporary white gold jewellery as it can cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. Instead, we use platinum or palladium due to their hypoallergenic properties. White gold can be coated with a layer of rhodium to enhance shine and lustre. 

Cost considerations between yellow and white gold

Yellow gold and white gold have differences in cost due to the different alloyed metals used as they are being created. Rare metals like platinum and palladium contribute to white gold being (slightly) more valuable than yellow gold. 

However, you’ll notice that there generally isn’t a huge price difference to the end buyer.  The real change in costs for yellow or white gold is between 14 or 18K gold — the higher the percentage of gold, the greater the cost. 

Durability differences in white gold vs yellow gold

Comparing the metals at the same karat rating, white gold comes out on top in terms of durability due to the harder metals present in the alloy. Higher karat gold (18k) has a higher percentage of pure gold, which makes the metal more soft and easier to scratch or dent. 

White gold jewellery will need regular care to keep its shine and finish. The rhodium plating on white gold can wear off over time and will need to be re-plated every 1-2 years to maintain its original bright white glow. 

Yellow gold, on the other hand, keeps its warm colour naturally and does not tarnish easily. Yellow gold jewellery will require less upkeep — regular polishing will keep it shiny and looking new. 

Is white gold or yellow gold better for an engagement ring?

It really depends on what you’re looking for in an engagement ring. Our custom engagement rings offer so many potential combinations of gemstones, ring styles, and ring metals that it’s difficult to just name one as the better option. 

What we can say for sure is that white gold is currently the trendier option for engagement rings. Australia’s Biggest Engagement Ring Survey shows that white gold is by far the most popular choice of metal for an engagement ring at 49% of all engagement rings. The modern appearance of white gold is ideal for enhancing the white brilliance of diamonds. At GS Diamonds, we can see that white gold is an increasingly popular metal - but we also have our clients who love the tradition of yellow gold!

Yellow gold has a classic and timeless appeal with a rich colour that pairs well with white diamonds, but also with other precious gemstones like rubies and topaz. 

One last thing before we wrap this up — you can also consider how each metal will complement your skin. Yellow gold rings are best worn on warmer skin colours, while white gold will look better on cooler skin colours. 

At GS Diamonds, we’re committed to helping find the best fit for a custom engagement ring, right down to the choice between white gold or yellow gold. Take a look at our extensive collection of ring styles in 18 yellow, white, and rose gold and start creating the perfect ring with our diamond experts.