The Difference Between Yellow Gold and White Gold
Whether an engagement ring, wedding band, or fine jewellery, your heirloom piece should reflect your vision, your values, and your forever, with the choice of precious metal shaping its look, feel, and longevity.
At TMC Fine Jewellers, we work with responsibly sourced yellow gold and white gold in both 14 karat and 18 karat for our Signature Range of Engagement and Ceremonial Rings. By exploring the subtle differences between these metals, you’ll be guided toward the perfect choice for your heirloom piece.
White Gold
White gold isn't naturally occurring, it is created through combining pure gold which is naturally yellow and alloys to create its white appearance. All of our white gold contains premium alloys including palladium, as well as other base alloys.
All white gold is plated in rhodium to achieve its lustrous and bright finish. It offers a cooler, brighter finish. Its crisp appearance enhances perceived brilliance.
As white gold isn’t naturally occurring, in its raw form, it has a dullness, a faint yellow tone. Because of this, white gold requires re-rhodium plating at least once per year to maintain its beautiful finish. This is a maintenance service we offer.
Both 14 karat and 18 karat white gold look identical in appearance, as they are plated in rhodium. Just like their yellow gold counterparts, 14 karat contains 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% alloy and 18 karat contains 75% pure gold and 25% alloy.
Yellow Gold
Pure Gold comprises of 24 karats, which is far too soft to utilise in bridal jewellery, so it is alloyed with other metals to provide strength and durability, as well as to achieve varying colour hues.
14 karat yellow gold is made up of 58.5% pure gold, and 41.5% alloy. It is a beautiful yellow gold option with a soft, golden hue. 14 karat looks beautiful on fair skin tones and pairs beautifully with our champagne moissanite and coloured lab-diamonds as the setting doesn’t take away from the vivid coloured gemstone.
18 karat yellow gold is made up of 75% pure gold and 25% alloy. 18 Karat has a richer golden hue, pairing beautifully with our exceptional moissanites and lab-grown diamonds. A divine option for your forever ring.
Boasting a buttery golden hue, we currently find yellow gold to be the most beloved metal type across all of our ring designs and fine jewellery collectively.
Choosing a Metal Type, Right For You
When referring to colour and aesthetic, yellow gold radiates a warm glow and is currently our most coveted precious metal type. Yellow gold, being naturally warm in colour, doesn’t require plating and reveals scratches less obviously, requiring only occasional polishing during your piece's yearly service to keep its lustre.
White gold offers a white, bright look, known to enhance the colour and brightness of your precious gemstone. The added alloys, particularly in white gold, can make it slightly more resistant to scratches compared to yellow gold, though the long-lasting finish depends on the rhodium plating. Your heirloom piece will require rhodium plating yearly to uphold its bright colour, and overall lustre.
Ultimately, your choice reflects your personal style and how you imagine your piece wearing every day. At TMC Fine Jewellers, we only work with the highest quality materials, inclusive of precious metals and gold. We work with Australian gold and precious metal suppliers with over 70 years of industry experience, and who also place great importance on supply chain transparency and traceability of materials. There is no right or wrong choice for the precious metal you choose, simply the one you adore most.
Discover our Signature Range and begin your journey.
