White Gold vs Yellow Gold: What's the Difference?
One of the questions we're asked most often in our shops is, "What's the actual difference between white gold and yellow gold?" Many people assume they're completely different metals, but the truth is they're much more alike than you might think.
At Gold Reserves, we explain this to customers almost every day, so here's everything you need to know.
White Gold and Yellow Gold Are Both Gold
The biggest misconception is that white gold and yellow gold are different types of precious metal.
In reality, they're both made from the same precious metal – pure gold. The difference comes from the other metals that are mixed with the gold to create an alloy.
Pure gold (24ct) is naturally very soft, making it unsuitable for most everyday jewellery. To make it stronger and more durable, jewellers mix it with other metals.
The type and proportion of these metals determine whether the finished jewellery has a yellow or white appearance.
What Gives Yellow Gold Its Colour?
Yellow gold contains a higher proportion of metals that help maintain gold's naturally warm colour, such as silver and copper.
For example, 9ct yellow gold contains 37.5% pure gold, with the remaining 62.5% made up of other metals that give it strength while preserving its traditional golden appearance.
What Gives White Gold Its Colour?
White gold also contains the same percentage of pure gold as yellow gold of the same carat, but it's alloyed with different metals to create a much paler colour.
However, despite its name, white gold isn't naturally bright white.
Most white gold jewellery has a slightly warm or creamy tone. To achieve the brilliant white finish most people recognise, it's coated with a thin layer of rhodium.
Rhodium is a rare precious metal from the platinum family that's extremely bright, durable and highly reflective.
Why Does White Gold Turn Yellow?
This is probably the question we answer most often.
If your white gold ring has started looking yellow, it doesn't mean anything is wrong with it.
Over time, everyday wear gradually removes the rhodium plating, revealing the natural colour of the white gold alloy underneath. This can appear slightly yellow or warm, particularly on rings, which experience more wear than most other pieces of jewellery.
This is a completely normal part of owning white gold jewellery.
Can It Be Made White Again?
Absolutely.
The good news is that your jewellery doesn't need replacing.
A jeweller can professionally clean the piece before applying a fresh layer of rhodium plating, restoring its bright white appearance. Once replated, your jewellery will look much like it did when it was new.
Many white gold rings benefit from rhodium replating every few years, depending on how often they're worn.
Can Yellow Gold Be Made White?
In many cases, yes.
Because the white appearance comes from the rhodium plating rather than the gold itself, many yellow gold pieces can also be rhodium plated to give them a white finish.
It's important to understand, however, that this only changes the surface appearance. The metal underneath remains yellow gold, with exactly the same alloy composition as before.
As the rhodium plating naturally wears over time, the yellow colour beneath will gradually begin to show again, meaning the piece will need replating if you wish to maintain the white appearance.
Can White Gold Be Turned Back Into Yellow Gold?
This is where many people are surprised.
If a piece was originally made as white gold, it generally cannot be permanently converted into yellow gold.
Although the rhodium plating can be removed, the underlying white gold alloy still contains the metals that give it its pale appearance. It won't have the rich golden colour of jewellery that was originally manufactured as yellow gold.
For this reason, we don't recommend buying white gold with the intention of converting it into yellow gold later.
Which Should You Choose?
There's no right or wrong choice – it simply comes down to personal preference.
Yellow gold offers a classic, warm appearance that never requires rhodium plating, while white gold provides a bright, contemporary look that many people love, particularly for diamond jewellery.
Both are equally genuine gold and both can last a lifetime when properly cared for.
Need Advice?
At Gold Reserves, we're always happy to help explain the differences between white and yellow gold. Whether you're buying your first gold ring, considering having a piece rhodium plated or simply want advice on caring for your jewellery, our experienced team is here to help.
Visit us in Swansea, Cardiff or Llanelli, or browse our collection of pre-owned and vintage gold jewellery online.
