Rose Gold vs. Yellow Gold vs. White Gold

It’s almost time for your wedding and you still haven’t gotten your wedding ring!

You feel suddenly rushed and stressed out when you realize you need to plan your wedding, get prepared for the big day, and finally tie the knot. But none of that can happen unless you have a men’s wedding band to put on your finger.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to wedding rings, don’t worry. You don’t need to be an expert on rings, since you probably haven’t worn one before. We can help you out.

If you don’t know where to start, go with tradition and get gold wedding rings. However, there are many different types of gold rings and it is helpful to know the difference before you purchase any.

The Gold Rings

The three types of gold wedding rings we’re talking about are solid gold, gold-plated, and gold-filled. When debating which type of gold wedding ring is best, there are a few different options to consider. The long-standing debate of which reigns supreme still holds to this day. It’s like Joe Frazier versus Muhammad Ali, the Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees, but a threesome. The three types of gold wedding rings we’re talking about are solid gold, gold-plated, and gold-filled.

If you’re unfamiliar with rose gold and white gold, exploring those options might be exciting for you. There are many different materials to choose from when shopping for rings, so you’re sure to find something that fits your specific aesthetic.

The biggest difference between rose gold, yellow gold, and white gold is their color.

We’ve been acting like idiots, it’s time to stop. The key difference between rose gold, yellow gold, and white gold is their color. Your choice of which one to get should depend on your personal taste. But it goes a level deeper than that: the three golds also vary in their overall value, which will depend on their overall composition of gold.

Comparing the three types of gold requires further inspection. Let’s take a deep dive together to better understand the differences between them.

Rose Gold

Rose gold was first created in the 19th century by Carl Faberge in Russia. He developed the composite for use in his Faberge Eggs. The love for rose gold came from its feminine look.

Soon after rose gold was introduced, it started being used in a variety of jewelry, such as earrings, engagement rings, wedding rings, and necklaces. It wasn’t long before it became popular in men’s jewelry as well, because it was seen as more emotionally aware and artistic than traditional male styles at the time.

Rose gold is made of a mix of pure gold and copper and silver alloys. The copper and silver help to give it strength and its rose color. The more copper used, the redder the gold appears. A common mix for rose gold is 75% gold and 25% copper by mass (18K). Just like white gold, rose gold is an alloy, so there is no such thing as “pure rose gold” for jewelry.

Will rose gold lose its color over time? No, rose gold will not lose its color over time.

The pros of rose gold include that it’s:

In style for both men’s and women’s rings.
Considered by many to be the most romantic metal due to its pinkish-red color.
Often more affordable than other metals because copper—the alloy used to make rose gold—costs less.
Very durable due to the strength of copper—making rose gold tougher than yellow or white gold.
A complement to all skin tones.

The cons of rose gold include that it:

Can cause allergic reactions in some and is not a hypoallergenic metal.
Is not as widely available as yellow and white gold, despite being in style.

Yellow Gold

Now, gold rings are not usually made of 24 karat gold, which is 100% pure gold. Instead, they are usually made of a lower karat, which is mixed with other metals.

Yellow gold is made of pure gold mixed with alloy metals such as copper and zinc. These metals are added to increase the hardness of the gold, as pure gold is too soft to be used for jewelry. The exact mix of metals used will vary depending on the jeweler, but the most common mix is 18 karats gold, which is made of 75% pure gold and 25% alloy metals.

The amount of pure gold in the jewelry depends on its karatage:

24 Karat: 99.9% Pure
22 Karat: 91.7% Pure
18 Karat: 75% Pure
14 Karat: 58.3% Pure

The higher the karat amount, the purer the gold content. However, this also means that the metal is less durable. For this reason, 14K or 18K gold is usually used for engagement and wedding rings.

While a 24k gold ring may be appealing, it is important to be aware that it is a more expensive option and it is also quite delicate. The pure gold is more prone to scratches and other types of damage. Wearing a 24k gold ring may not be the best idea.

The pros of yellow gold include that it’s:

The most hypoallergenic of all the three gold colors.
Historically the most popular metal used for wedding and engagement bands, and thus appropriate for vintage style settings.
The purest color of all the golds.
The easiest to maintain out of all three gold color types.
The most malleable and easiest for jewelers to manipulate.
A complement to olive and darker skin tones.
Easily matched with diamonds of a lower color grade.

The cons of yellow gold include that it:

Should be polished and cleaned regularly.
Is subject to dents and scratches.

White Gold

If you want a ring that looks like it’s made of silver but don’t want to spend the money on a ring made of precious metals, then white gold is the choice for you. White gold is often made with nickel, at a higher percentage. This makes white gold both more durable and stronger than yellow gold.

White gold will require more maintenance than both rose gold and yellow gold, because of its silvery appearance. You’ll need to regularly clean and polish your wedding ring, and it’s recommended that you take your ring to a professional jeweler every few years for general maintenance.

While white gold rings look good on any skin tone, they are believed to look best on pale and rosy complexions. This is because they blend in better with your skin tone.

The value of white gold depends on the karat (14K vs 18K) and how much metal was used to make the ring. The price of white gold rings ranges from $180 for a simple solitaire to $2,500 for an intricate vintage ring setting. 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.

The pros of white gold include that it’s:

More affordable than platinum.
Currently more popular than yellow gold.
Alloyed with stronger metals than yellow gold, making it more durable and scratch-resistant.
Complements white diamonds better than yellow gold—according to some.
Complements fair or rosy skin tones.

The cons of white gold include that it:

Needs to be dipped every few years to retain its color and luster—and to replace the rhodium plating. This process is inexpensive and many jewelers offer the service for free.
Often nickel is mixed with it, which causes allergic reactions for some. In other words, white gold is not hypoallergenic unless mixed with alloy metals other than nickel.

What about Plating?

Rhodium is a silver-colored metal that is similar to platinum and is often used to coat white gold rings to protect them and make them last longer. Rhodium is strong and adding a coating of it to a white gold ring can help protect the ring.

Will continue to work well on your finger is the best part.

Finding Your Best Ring

What kind of metal do you want? Red gold, yellow gold, and white gold are all different in appearance. You need to decide which one you want before buying a ring.

How Does it Fit Your Style?

When you are choosing a wedding ring, it is important to find one that matches your personal style. Ask your spouse-to-be for their opinion on which ring best suits your personality.

Looking for a few styles to consider? Here are just two of many wonderful gold rings:

Do you want to be the type of guy that everyone else wishes they could be? The Affluence rose gold ring is the perfect ring for you if you are a man with style, sophistication, and class. This ring will show off your strengths and help you to embrace your weaknesses.

Are you a powerful and noble guy who is also strong and determined? If so, you’re probably the type of guy who isn’t afraid to be himself. You never shy away from embracing your abilities, even if it means you have to stand out from the crowd. You actually like being different and think it’s better than being like everyone else.

How Does it Fit Your Lifestyle?

You’ll want to consider what your day-to-day life looks like when choosing a ring. For example, if you don’t work with your hands much, you can choose a ring made of pure gold without worrying about it getting scratched or damaged.

If you are a businessman who likes to get down to physical labor now and then, you should consider The Diplomat. Made of white gold, it is more durable than rose gold or yellow gold, which makes it perfect for the guy who likes to run between the office and the gym, the boardroom and their art studio.

Maintain Your Ring

What kind of ring you choose will depend on how much work you want to put into taking care of it. For example, rose gold and yellow gold rings are traditionally more delicate and can get easily damaged. They’re also more susceptible to corrosion, so they can get scratched or dented more easily if you’re not careful. However, you don’t necessarily have to polish a gold ring very often. You should do it every once in a while, but you don’t need to do it on a regular basis.

Additional Considerations

You should now have a basic understanding of the differences between white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold. There are a few other things to consider before shopping for wedding rings or engagement rings.

Type of jewelry recipient prefers – Some people simply prefer the look of one type of metal over another. If a woman has a tendency to wear a lot of white gold, for example, it is likely that she will appreciate a white gold engagement ring over one in rose or yellow gold. If she likes to mix things up with different colored jewelry, a ring that combines different colors might be in order.
Recipients Lifestyle – Women with very active lifestyles often prefer jewelry that offers some durability. Remember that white gold and rose gold are strongest, while yellow gold is most susceptible to scratches, dings, and dents.
Type of Stones – If you are going with white diamonds, you’ll find they look lovely in settings made with all three types of gold. Fancy colored diamonds and colored stones often look best in rose or yellow gold settings, although some, such as sapphires, look absolutely magnificent in white gold settings.
Price – Finally, price is a consideration. Regardless of budget, you really do want to get the best quality you can afford. As it turns out, yellow, white and rose gold have their pros and cons, and all are available in affordable settings. Yellow gold vs. white gold prices vary by actual gold content, as do white gold vs. rose gold prices. Armed with the details we’ve provided, you’ll find it is easier to make a well-informed decision.