White gold is typically more expensive than silver because of its composition. Pure gold is a precious metal and is more expensive than silver, and the additional metals mixed with the gold in white gold also contribute to its higher cost.
White gold is stronger and more durable than silver. The combination of metals give white gold its color and durability. Without it, pure gold is just as soft as pure silver. Additionally, white gold may be rhodium plated, which gives it a shiny top layer.
Sterling silver is quite durable and cost effective! On the other hand, if you're in the market for something a little higher end and searching for financial value over time, white gold is the option for you! Both types of jewelry are excellent and will shine for years with proper cleaning.
If you have silver-colored jewelry and you're not sure how much it's worth, the first step is to evaluate what it's made of. Sterling silver and white gold may appear similar to the untrained eye, but white gold is worth more money and is the preferred metal for fine jewelry — including engagement rings.
Although silver is priced lower than white gold, white gold is an excellent option for people wanting a less expensive alternative to platinum. White gold has a similar appearance to platinum, but it's more cost-efficient and durable. Even though white gold contains alloys, the yellow gold within it retains its value.
Since white gold is a mixture of durable metals, it is much lower in price and more affordable than platinum." However, it's not all about up-front costs. While white gold may be more affordable to buy at first, keep in mind that it needs to be replated every five to 10 years to keep its color.
While its a personal choice, durability wise white gold has an edge over yellow gold. Nonetheless, the drawback with white gold is that with time, the rhodium plating wears off and the lower yellowish layer of white gold then becomes visible.
Durability. Sterling silver is less durable than white gold which is why most people choose the material for everyday wear items like their wedding band. Sterling silver can scratch easily and even bend or become misshapen over time and when exposed to the elements.
Solid Gold Jewelry
Whether it's regular gold, white gold, or rose gold, it's safe in the shower. However, it loses its shine over time due to soap scum and shampoo residue.
Price & Value: In this context, there is no major difference between white and yellow gold, as long as it has the same carat weight. But it's slightly more expensive than yellow gold jewellery because of mixing and coating in the manufacturing process.
White Gold Is Less Durable Because It Is A Softer Metal
White gold, compared to platinum which has a similar white hue, is less durable than its counterpart because it is actually a softer metal. Every time gold is scratched, a little sliver of the gold falls off and is lost.
White gold is also a durable metal that can withstand everyday wear and tear, making it a practical choice for your engagement ring. White gold is incredibly versatile; it will look good with a number of gemstones and styles!
The advantages of white gold. White gold is a beautiful, precious metal. It has the same luxurious, gleaming appearance as platinum and silver. However, it is much more affordable than platinum and more hard-wearing and lasting than silver.
For the most part, the two metals will be priced equally based on the same presence of pure gold. That means that 14k white gold will be comparable in cost to 14k yellow gold. In some instances, a jeweler may charge slightly more for white gold since it has the addition of rhodium plating.
Platinum is 90-95% pure, making it the only true hypoallergenic jewelry metal you can purchase. If your skin is sensitive, some of the metals included in the mixing of white gold may easily irritate it. It would be best to stick to platinum rings if you suspect or have any of these allergies.
Bad news is: you can't prevent white gold from turning yellow. The breakdown process is normal and inevitable. But you can slow down its process by taking good care of your jewelry. Try to avoid getting your white gold jewelry wet, soapy or dirty.
There's nothing wrong with getting white gold wet, so the water running in your shower will not damage your white gold ring.
Generally, rhodium plating lasts about 6 months, at which point the natural color of the white gold will begin to show through. Part of caring for a white gold engagement ring is having it replated, or dipped, every six months to one year.
Remove your white gold jewelry before showering and applying skin care products. Showering products, cosmetics, perfumes, and skin care products may contain ingredients that can wear away the outer coating of white gold. Also, soap and lotion can get stuck in crevices and dull the shine of your jewelry.
Platinum is easier to maintain over time than white gold. Platinum is also the most hypoallergenic of all metals, because of its purity.
More Durable Than Other Metals: Platinum is an incredibly durable metal, ranking 20% denser than white gold and 60% denser than yellow gold. While not immune to the damages of everyday wear and tear, platinum's durability is a big appeal for engagement ring shoppers with active lifestyles.
Those who buy a white gold piece of jewellery will find it soon develops a 'discoloured', 'yellowy' patch where it wears most. This can 'tarnish' (excuse the pun) the whole experience, spoiling the enjoyment of purchasing a special piece of precious jewellery.
JEWELRY FOR COOL SKIN TONES
Most people have cool skin, including people with dark skin and tan skin. If you have determined that you have a cool skin tone, you'll look best wearing pieces crafted of platinum and white gold.
Lifetime Maintenance
White gold is durable and can be brought to a jeweler to buff out any minor scratches. Just be careful; frequent polishing of white gold will cause its rhodium plating to wear down more quickly. Speaking of that plating… It needs to be replaced every few years.