Three Types of Gold

When reviewing gold settings, you’ll notice there are three options: white gold, rose gold and yellow gold. While similar, they differ primarily in their color and composition. Selecting the type of gold for your ring should be based on personal preference, although composition or price could play a small role in your decision.
White Gold
White gold is made of a mixture of pure gold and white metals such as nickel, silver and palladium, usually with a rhodium coating. White gold is real, but it’s not made entirely of gold. The other metals help to strengthen the gold and increase its durability for jewelry. The value of white gold depends on the karat (14K vs 18K) and how much metal was used to make the ring. The cost depends on the vendor, the amount of white gold used and your ring’s design. If you’re reselling your setting, in general, you’ll get 50 cents for every dollar of scrap metal. 
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is made of pure gold mixed with alloy metals such as copper and zinc.
The amount of pure gold in the jewelry depends on its karat age:
• 24 Karat: 99.9 percent Pure
• 22 Karat: 91.7 percent Pure
• 18 Karat: 75 percent Pure
• 14 Karat: 58.3 percent Pure
A higher karat amount means a purer gold content. However, this also means a less durable metal. For this reason, usually 14K or 18K gold is used to mount engagement and wedding rings.
Rose Gold
Rose gold is made of pure gold mixed with copper and silver alloys. Rose gold is real, but it’s not made entirely of gold. The copper and silver help to strengthen it and give it its rose color. The more copper used, the redder the gold appears. A common mix—or alloy—for rose gold is 75 percent gold and 25 percent copper by mass (18K). Like white gold, rose gold is an alloy, so “pure rose gold” doesn’t exist for jewelry.
What does rose gold look like? Rose gold encompasses the whole family of red, rose and pink gold shades. It’s a lustrous pinkish metal.
Does rose gold tarnish? Rose gold doesn’t tarnish. But just like any color gold, rose gold jewelry needs to be polished and cleaned regularly.
For more information, please call Ro Ma Jewelers at 661-254-6414 or visit www.romajewelers.com.