Gold—it's the Midas touch of jewellery.
Whether you're eyeing a sparkling gold ring, a stunning necklace, or a pair of glistening gold earrings for women, the choice of gold can make all the difference.
Today, we're diving into the dazzling world of gold jewellery. We’ll break down the most popular types—Yellow Gold, White Gold, and Rose Gold—and then explore the different ways gold can be crafted into jewellery, including solid gold, gold vermeil, and gold-plated options. Ready to get sparkling? Let’s get into it!
P.S: This is a loooooooong read!
But trust us, by the end of this article, you will have:
- A greater understanding of the key differences between yellow, white, and rose gold to make better jewellery choices.
- Learnt the pros and cons of solid gold, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewellery to pick pieces that suit your style and budget.
- Greater confidence to shop for quality gold jewellery.
Yellow Gold: The Golden Classic
Yellow gold is the quintessential choice when it comes to gold jewellery—it's the metal that has dazzled us for centuries. Its rich, warm glow is what most people envision when they think of gold, and for a good reason.
What Makes Yellow Gold So Special?
Yellow gold is created by mixing pure gold with alloying metals like copper and zinc, which give it strength and durability while maintaining that iconic golden hue.
The proportion of these alloys can affect the gold's carat rating, with 24ct being pure gold (too soft for most jewellery) and 18ct or 14ct offering a balance of richness and strength.
18ct Solid Yellow Gold Creole Earrings
Why Choose Yellow Gold?
- Timeless Elegance: Yellow gold never goes out of style. It’s the kind of metal that looks just as stunning on a vintage piece as it does on a modern design. Whether it’s a wedding band, a necklace, or a pair of earrings, yellow gold exudes a classic elegance that transcends trends.
- Hypoallergenic Qualities: Yellow gold is usually well-tolerated by those with sensitive skin, especially when it’s higher in purity. This makes it a great choice for everyday wear, especially if you’re prone to metal allergies.
- Symbolism and Tradition: Yellow gold has long been associated with wealth, prosperity, and warmth. It’s the traditional choice for wedding rings and heirloom pieces, often passed down through generations as a symbol of enduring love and family ties.
- Versatility: Yellow gold pairs beautifully with a variety of gemstones, especially warm tones like rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. It also complements a wide range of skin tones, making it a universally flattering choice.
9ct Gold and Ruby Stud Earrings
Learn more on how to choose jewellery according to your skin tone.
Considerations
While yellow gold is stunning, it’s softer than some other metals, especially at higher carats. This means it can be more prone to scratches and dents. However, with proper care and occasional polishing, your yellow gold jewellery can maintain its lustre for a lifetime.
Why You Need It: Yellow gold is the epitome of timeless elegance. It’s a metal that brings warmth, beauty, and a touch of luxury to any piece of jewellery, making it a must-have in every collection. Whether you're investing in a statement piece or something subtle, yellow gold will always shine.
White Gold: The Modern Marvel
White gold is the sleek addition to the gold family. With its silvery sheen and cool undertones, it offers a contemporary twist on traditional gold. If you're someone who loves the look of platinum but wants something a bit more budget-friendly, white gold is your go-to.
What is White Gold?
White Gold and Diamond Bangle
White gold is made by blending pure gold with white metals like palladium, nickel, or silver. These metals lighten the yellow tint of gold, resulting in a stunning silvery-white finish. To enhance its shine and add a layer of protection, white gold is often plated with rhodium, a precious metal that gives it that extra gleam.
Why Choose White Gold?
- Contemporary Elegance: White gold is perfect for those who love a modern aesthetic. Its neutral tone gives jewellery a sleek, sophisticated look that pairs well with both casual and formal wear.
- Complementary to Gemstones: White gold's silvery hue is particularly good at highlighting the brilliance of diamonds and other gemstones. It doesn't cast any colour onto the stones, making them appear more vibrant and true to their natural shades.
9ct White Gold Huggies with Cubic Zirconia
- Durability: While white gold is not as hard as platinum, it's still quite durable, especially when it’s rhodium-plated. The rhodium layer provides extra protection against scratches and tarnishing, keeping your jewellery looking new for longer.
- Versatility: White gold is incredibly versatile. Its cool tone makes it a great match for both cooler and warmer skin tones, and it complements a wide range of outfits and other jewellery pieces.
Considerations
Over time, the rhodium plating on white gold can wear off, revealing the natural yellowish tint underneath. This means you might need to have your jewellery re-plated every few years to maintain its bright white finish. Additionally, some people may have a sensitivity to nickel, so it’s important to check if your white gold contains this metal if you have allergies.
Why You Need It: White gold is the perfect blend of luxury and modernity. Its sleek, silvery appearance offers a contemporary edge to classic designs, making it a staple in any jewellery collection. Whether it’s a pair of chic white gold earrings or a sophisticated necklace, white gold adds a touch of refinement to every piece.
Rose Gold: The Romantic Rebel
Rose gold is the warm, blush-toned beauty that’s been capturing hearts and turning heads in the jewellery world. With its soft pink hue, rose gold adds a romantic, vintage-inspired touch to any piece, making it the favourite of modern jewellery trends.
What is Rose Gold?
Rose Gold Studs
Rose gold is created by mixing pure gold with copper alloys. The copper is what gives rose gold its signature pinkish-red tint. The more copper in the mix, the deeper the pink hue, with most jewellery crafted from 18ct or 14ct rose gold for the perfect balance of colour and durability.
Why Choose Rose Gold?
- Romantic Appeal: Rose gold is all about romance. Its blush tones evoke a sense of love and warmth, making it a popular choice for engagement rings and other sentimental pieces.
- Unique and Trendy: While yellow and white gold are classic, rose gold offers something a little different. It’s a metal that stands out, yet still feels timeless. If you love to be ahead of the curve, rose gold is a must-have.
- Vintage Vibe: Rose gold carries a vintage charm that’s reminiscent of old-world elegance. It’s the perfect metal for those who appreciate jewellery with a bit of history or a nostalgic feel.
- Flattering on All Skin Tones: The warm undertones of rose gold complement all skin tones, adding a soft, radiant glow to any complexion. Whether you’re fair, olive, or dark-skinned, rose gold is universally flattering.
Considerations
Rose gold’s colour can deepen slightly over time due to its copper content. While this adds to its charm for many, it’s something to consider if you prefer a consistent colour. Additionally, because of the copper, rose gold can be more prone to tarnishing than other gold alloys, though regular cleaning and care can easily prevent this.
Why You Need It: Rose gold is the perfect choice for those who want something that’s both on-trend and timeless. Its warm, romantic hue adds a unique touch to any jewellery piece, making it an essential part of a modern collection. Whether you’re drawn to its vintage charm or its contemporary flair, rose gold is a beautiful way to express your style.
Wearing gold jewellery is more than adding sparkle to your appearance; it has a lot of benefits too. Discover 7 surprising benefits of wearing gold jewellery.
Types of Gold Jewellery
Now that you have an understanding of different types of gold that are used to craft stunning jewellery pieces, let’s understand different types of gold jewellery.
We are not talking about yellow gold jewellery or white gold pieces, but the amount of gold that goes into different jewellery.
Yes, not every piece is made of pure gold. In fact, pure gold (24ct) is too soft to be made into jewellery, so it is often mixed with other metals to achieve the required hardness.
The highest you can usually get is 22ct, which is the purest gold jewellery. Other variations are 18ct, 14ct, and 9ct, with 9ct usually being the lowest gold purity (Don’t worry, it is still gold!).
However, not every piece that you see is made from solid gold. Wondering what it is? Let’s explore.
Solid Gold: The Real Deal
Solid gold is like the king of gold jewellery. When you invest in solid gold, you're getting a piece that's made entirely of gold (except for any alloy metals added for strength), without any coatings or layers.
18ct Solid Gold Clover Bracelet
Features of Solid Gold
- Purity Levels: Solid gold comes in various carats, such as 24ct (pure gold), 18ct (75% gold), 14ct (58.3% gold), and 9ct (37.5% gold). The higher the carat, the more gold content in the piece.
- Durability: Gold is a soft metal, so higher-carat pieces (like 24ct) are softer and more prone to scratches, while lower-carat gold (like 14ct or 9ct) is mixed with other metals, making it harder and more durable.
- Colour: Solid gold's colour depends on its carat and the alloy metals used. For instance, 24ct is a rich, yellow gold, while 14ct may have a slightly paler hue due to the alloy metals.
Pros of Solid Gold
- Longevity: Solid gold jewellery lasts a lifetime and beyond. It doesn’t tarnish, fade, or lose its colour over time.
- Value: Solid gold retains its value and can even appreciate over time, especially if it’s a high-carat piece.
- Hypoallergenic: High-carat solid gold is typically hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin.
Cons of Solid Gold
- Price: Solid gold is expensive due to its high gold content.
- Softness: High-carat gold (18ct and above) can be soft and prone to scratches or bending, especially in everyday wear.
Why Choose Solid Gold?
If you’re looking for a piece of jewellery that will last forever and maintain its value, solid gold is the way to go. It’s an investment in both style and substance.
Gold Vermeil: Affordable Luxury
Gold vermeil is an affordable yet high-quality alternative to solid gold. It’s a step above regular gold-plated jewellery due to its thicker layer of gold and the use of sterling silver as the base metal.
Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Bracelet
Features of Gold Vermeil
- Thicker Gold Layer: Gold vermeil jewellery is made by coating sterling silver with a thick layer of gold, typically at least 2.5 microns thick.
- Base Metal: Unlike other types of gold-plated jewellery, gold vermeil uses sterling silver as the base, adding to its quality and value.
- Carat Options: The gold layer can range in carats, usually between 14ct and 24ct, giving you options in terms of colour and durability.
Pros of Gold Vermeil
- Affordability: Gold vermeil offers the look of solid gold at a fraction of the price, making it accessible to more people.
- Quality: The thick layer of gold and the sterling silver base make it more durable and long-lasting compared to regular gold-plated jewellery.
- Hypoallergenic: Because it uses sterling silver as the base, gold vermeil is often hypoallergenic, suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Cons of Gold Vermeil
- Maintenance: Over time, the gold layer can wear off, revealing the silver beneath. It may need re-plating to maintain its appearance.
- Durability: While more durable than regular gold-plated jewellery, it’s still not as tough as solid gold, especially with daily wear.
Why Choose Gold Vermeil? If you love the look of gold but don’t want to spend a fortune, gold vermeil is a great option. It offers the perfect balance between quality and affordability.
Gold-Plated Jewellery: The Budget-Friendly Option
Gold-plated jewellery is a more affordable way to enjoy the look of gold without the price tag. It’s created by applying a thin layer of gold over a base metal, like brass, silver, or copper.
Features of Gold-Plated Jewellery
- Thin Gold Layer: The gold layer in gold-plated jewellery is very thin, often less than 0.5 microns thick.
- Base Metals: Common base metals include brass, copper, or stainless steel, which are more cost-effective than precious metals.
- Variety: Gold-plated jewellery comes in various styles and carats, but it’s mainly about aesthetics rather than long-term wear.
Pros of Gold-Plated Jewellery
- Cost-Effective: Gold-plated jewellery is very affordable, making it perfect for trendy or seasonal pieces that you might not wear forever.
- Variety: You can find a wide range of designs, styles, and colours in gold-plated jewellery.
- Stylish: Gold-plated pieces allow you to experiment with different styles without breaking the bank.
Cons of Gold-Plated Jewellery
- Durability: The thin gold layer can wear off quickly, especially with daily wear, exposing the base metal.
- Maintenance: Gold-plated jewellery can tarnish or discolour over time, especially if exposed to water, sweat, or chemicals.
- Hypoallergenic Concerns: The base metals used in gold-plated jewellery can sometimes cause allergic reactions, particularly for those with sensitive skin.
Why Choose Gold-Plated Jewellery?
If you’re looking for affordable, stylish jewellery that’s perfect for occasional wear or trying out new trends, gold-plated pieces are ideal. Just remember they won’t last as long as solid gold or gold vermeil.
Want to learn more about the difference between gold-plated and solid gold jewellery? Read here.
So, now you are equipped with the knowledge of different types of gold and gold jewellery. Next time, when you go out to buy a bling for yourself or others, or even look for a stunning piece online, you will know what to look for.
whatever type you choose, it is important to care for it. Learn 10 easy gold jewellery cleaning hacks through our handy guide.
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