What are the Differences between White Gold vs. Yellow Gold vs. Rose Gold ?

White gold, yellow gold, and rose gold with the same karat value contain the same amount of pure gold, thus having similar economic value. Now, let’s compare white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold of the same karat value.

Why do we have 3 different gold colours?

Since early history, gold has inspired craftsmen from different cultures to make stunning ornaments and pieces of jewellery. However, the softness of gold has always presented jewellers with hurdles. This is because gold is a very malleable metal; it can easily be bent or dented. Therefore, pure gold on its own cannot be used to make objects like jewellery. Because as you can appreciate, no one wants a ring or earrings that lose their shape!

Over time, this has led to artisans developing gold alloys. An alloy is a mix of two or more metals. Gradually, through experimentation, by blending harder metals like copper and platinum with gold, craftsmen have created gold alloys that ensure durability and robustness in jewellery. From these experiments, three fundamental colours of gold have come into being: yellow gold, white gold and rose gold.

Types	White Gold	Yellow Gold	Rose Gold
Image
Tone	Silver-white	Yellow	Rose
Alloy Types	Silver, Zinc, Nickel, Palladium, and Rhodium plating	Silver, Zinc, Nickel	Silver, Zinc, Nickel, Copper
Pros	Fashionable, versatile, more durable than yellow gold	Classic, less likely to cause allergies, easier to repair	Combines the chic of white gold with the warmth of yellow gold, suits all skin tones, more durable than yellow and white gold
Cons	Requires regular rhodium plating, nickel allergies can occur when plating wears off	Less durable, not as novel, requires regular polishing	Less classic, possible copper allergies, requires regular polishing
Ideal For	Those seeking a simple, modern style,and with cool skin tones	Those preferring a classic, traditional style, and with warm skin tones	Those who love romantic, vintage styles, and seek personalization

Summary of Comparisons for Same Karat Value:

• Color: White gold is modern, yellow gold is classic and warm, and rose gold is romantic and unique.
• Durability: White gold is rhodium-plated, and rose gold has a higher copper content (copper is harder), making white gold and rose gold typically more wear-resistant (Summary: Rose gold hardness > white gold > yellow gold).
• Maintenance: White gold requires regular rhodium plating, while yellow and rose gold needs regular cleaning and polishing.