Complete Guide to Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, and Silver

Jewelry metals play a significant role in determining the aesthetics, durability, and value of your jewelry. This guide explores the four most popular jewelry metalsβ€”yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and silverβ€”to help you make an informed choice.

metal guide

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold is the most traditional and classic type of gold, known for its rich, warm hue. It is a blend of pure gold, copper, and zinc, with the proportion of gold measured in karats.

Gold Purity Levels (Karat System)

  • 24K (100% gold) – Too soft for everyday jewelry.
  • 18K (75% gold, 25% alloy metals) – More durable but still retains a deep yellow color.
  • 14K (58.5% gold, 41.5% alloy metals) – Stronger, slightly paler in color.
  • 10K (41.7% gold, 58.3% alloy metals) – Most durable but has a lighter yellow hue.

βœ” Classic & Timeless – Traditional choice for engagement rings and wedding bands.

βœ” Hypoallergenic – 18K+ gold is less likely to cause skin reactions.

βœ” Easy to Maintain – Doesn’t require rhodium plating like white gold.

βœ” Looks Great on Warm Skin Tones – Complements olive, tanned, and darker skin.

metal guide

White Gold

White gold is made by mixing pure gold with white metals such as nickel, palladium, or silver, then coated with rhodium for extra shine and durability.

Rhodium plating enhances its bright, silvery finish and protects against scratches.

βœ” Modern & Elegant Look – Resembles platinum at a lower price.

βœ” More Durable Than Yellow Gold – Alloyed with stronger metals.

βœ” Pairs Well with Diamonds – Enhances the brilliance of white gemstones.

metal guide

Rose Gold

Rose gold, also known as pink gold or red gold, is made by mixing pure gold with copper and a small amount of silver. The higher the copper content, the deeper the pink hue.

Common Rose Gold Purities

  • 18K Rose Gold (75% gold, 22.5% copper, 2.5% silver) – Softer pink hue, more luxurious.
  • 14K Rose Gold (58.5% gold, 38.5% copper, 3% silver) – More durable, deeper pink.
  • 10K Rose Gold (41.7% gold, 58.3% copper & silver mix) – Most durable, most coppery-red.

βœ” Unique & Romantic Appearance – A trendy alternative to yellow and white gold.


βœ” Durable & Scratch-Resistant – Stronger than yellow and white gold due to its copper content.


βœ” Warmer Tone Looks Great on Most Skin Tones – Flatters both warm and cool complexions.

metal guide

Silver

Silver is a naturally white, precious metal used in jewelry for centuries. It is commonly sold as sterling silver, which consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper) for strength.

Types of Silver Jewelry

  • Sterling Silver (92.5% silver, 7.5% alloy metals) – The most common and durable silver for jewelry.
  • Fine Silver (99.9% pure silver) – Softer and more prone to scratches.
  • Argentium Silver (93.5%–96% silver) – A modern, tarnish-resistant silver alloy.

βœ” Affordable & Accessible – Much cheaper than gold but still a precious metal.

βœ” Bright & Lustrous – Offers a shiny, polished finish.

βœ” Easy to Polish & Maintain – Tarnish can be removed with silver polish.

Get in touch with us!

If there are any more questions about helping you choose the right metal,
feel free to contact us:

Dubai (+971) 5444 12393
Sydney (+61) 4 2063 0875
Service@carathousedubai.com

We'd love to hear from you...

Collapsible content

Our Story
Dubai (+971) 5444 12393
Sydney (+61) 4 2063 0875
service@carathousedubai.com