Yellow Gold, platinum, rose and white gold are all popular choices for fine jewellery, particularly for engagement rings and wedding bands.
Each material has its own unique properties and characteristics, so the choice between them often depends on personal preferences, budget, and lifestyle factors. Here’s a comparison of the various materials:
Yellow Gold
Composition
Yellow gold is the one of the precious premium materials which balances purity with durability making it perfect for fine diamond jewellery.
Traditionally 18ct yellow gold is manufactured in England, which in simple terms means 75% pure gold (18 parts out of 24) is mixed with 25% alloyed materials (such as copper, palladium and silver) for added strength. 9ct gold in comparison has 50% less gold content.
Appearance
18ct yellow gold has a rich, warm yellow colour and the closer to natural gold (24ct gold) you reach, the more ‘yellow orange’ the material becomes. Gold is a luxurious look, with its signature rich, deep yellow colour making it a favourite for classic and elegant designs. Yellow gold is timeless and has the perfect complexion to match perfectly with coloured precious stones like emerald, ruby and sapphire.
Cost
Gold has always been revered for its investment opportunities. For over a generation, gold has been less expensive than platinum per gram, however in recent years with the price of gold soaring, this is no longer the case, and gold has overtaken its competitors.
Durability
18ct gold is thoroughly durable and suitable for everyday wear and more resistant to scratching and wear compared to 22ct or pure 24ct gold.
Hypoallergenic Considerations
Typically, safe for sensitive skin due to its high gold content and minimal impurities and nickel additions.
18ct yellow gold strikes a beautiful balance between luxury and practicality, making it an excellent choice for special pieces that can stand the test of time.
Platinum
Composition
Platinum is a renowned for its durability, rarity, and naturally bright white colour, making it a popular choice for fine diamond bespoke jewellery. Its white colour complements diamonds and gemstones beautifully and doesn’t alter their appearance, unlike yellow gold. Platinum is one of the purest materials typically containing 90-95% pure platinum, with small amounts of other materials like palladium for strength.
Appearance
Platinum has a distinctive silvery-white colour that does not require plating to maintain its appearance. It has a naturally rich lustre and patina that develops over time, giving platinum jewellery a timeless and elegant appeal.
Cost
Historically, platinum has been generally more expensive than white gold due to its rarity, density, and purity. However, its durability and longevity make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a high-quality and enduring material for their jewellery. In recent years, with the price of gold soaring, it has become less expensive than gold per gram.
Durability
Platinum is one of the most durable materials used in precious jewellery, renowned for its strength, density, and resistance to wear and tear. It is highly resistant to scratching and does not tarnish making it an excellent choice for everyday wear and heirloom pieces. Like all materials, it can be prone to scratches with everyday use which together with our professional polishers can be polished out.
Hypoallergenic
Platinum is hypoallergenic and well-suited for those with sensitive skin or metal allergies, as it does not contain nickel or other common allergens found in some white gold alloys.
Rose Gold (Red)
Composition
18ct Rose gold is a stunning material that blends gold with copper to create its signature warm, pinkish shade. It’s a popular choice for unique and romantic jewellery.
18ct rose gold is created with 75% pure yellow gold (18 parts out of 24) mixed with 22.5% copper and 2.5% silver gifting the material to appear with a soft pink and red glow.
Appearance
It’s warm, romantic tone makes it a distinctive alternative to yellow or white gold and complements a variety of skin tones beautifully. Rose gold has a perfect blend between vintage charm shaped with contemporary elegance allowing it to be the perfect companion for precious-coloured stones like emerald, ruby and sapphire.
Cost
Gold has always been revered for its investment opportunities. For over a generation, gold has been less expensive than platinum per gram, however in recent years with the price of gold soaring, this is no longer the case, and gold has overtaken its competitors.
Durability
18ct gold is thoroughly durable and suitable for everyday wear and more resistant to scratching and wear compared to 22ct or pure 24ct gold.
Hypoallergenic Considerations
Typically, safe for sensitive skin due to its high gold content and minimal impurities and nickel additions.
Rose Gold is a versatile and romantic choice, offering a balance of elegance and strength. It’s particularly suited for those seeking a timeless yet unique piece of jewellery.
White Gold
Composition
White gold is an alloy made by mixing pure ‘yellow’ gold with other white metals, such as silver, palladium, or nickel. The addition of these materials gives white gold its signature white colour and enhances its durability.
Appearance
White gold has a bright, silvery-white appearance that closely resembles platinum or sterling silver. It is often plated with rhodium, a shiny, reflective metal, to enhance its initial whiteness and durability.
Cost
For over a generation, white gold has been less expensive than platinum, making it a more budget-friendly option for those seeking the look of platinum without the expense. However, in recent years with the price of gold soaring, this is no longer the case and white gold has overtaken the price of platinum per gram.
Durability
While white gold is durable and suitable for everyday wear, however it is not as dense or scratch resistant as platinum. Over time, the rhodium plating on white gold will wear off, requiring periodic re-plating to maintain its bright white appearance.
Hypoallergenic Considerations
Some individuals may be allergic to nickel, which is commonly used in the alloying process for white gold.