What is white gold? All the info you need!
Many people come to us asking: what is white gold? Does white gold tarnish? How do I wear white gold? Maybe you want to be a better-informed shopper. Maybe you inherited some jewelry that you can’t quite identify. Maybe you’re just curious. No matter why you’re wondering what the difference between white gold and silver is, you’ve come to the right place. White gold is a gorgeous metal for jewelry, and we can tell you all about it!
Having knowledge about different metals can help you make more satisfying decisions about the type of jewelry you buy. White gold is quite different from silver in durability and pricing. Which will be the better choice for you or a loved one in terms of value, look, and longevity? What is white gold’s advantage over silver, and does white gold tarnish like silver? Here, you can find out.
Even if the topic hasn’t piqued your interest until now, here’s why you should be asking: just what is white gold? When you’re shopping for a new nose ring or selling off your old pieces, you would hope that you can trust the retailer, to be honest. If you ask questions like “does white gold tarnish?” they might not be honest! White gold is hard to identify at times, and unfortunately, there are a number of scams out there for both buyers and sellers of metal jewelry.
You may be wondering: what metal do I want? Does white gold tarnish? Is white gold really a replacement for silver? Despite the potential to be misled, the fact that white gold is similar in looks to silver isn’t a bad thing at all. Part of the appeal of silver is that it looks like white gold, a more rare and valuable metal. Anyone asking “what is white gold” can rest assured that silver-toned jewelry looks great with this metal, and you can even replace silver with white gold!
By the time you finish reading this, you’ll know so much more about what white gold is and how you can tell it apart from silver. What is white gold? Does white gold tarnish? How do I know if I want white gold or silver? Get ready for the big reveal!
White Gold vs. Silver: The Basics
First, let’s talk about the general qualities of each metal. White gold is often confused with silver, so how to tell them apart? If these two metals appear almost identical, how do jewelers even know the difference? And the questions on everyone’s mind: what is white gold? Does white gold tarnish?
Pricing
What is white gold worth, compared to silver? You may already know something about the price difference between the two metals, and it might even be the reason you’re reading this article. White gold is significantly more expensive than silver because of its relative rarity and market value. So, your white gold nose ring will probably be more expensive than a sterling silver pair!
Properties of White Gold
What is white gold on the elemental level? White gold is a blend, or alloy, of pure yellow gold mixed with other metals that bleach the gold to give it a silver tone. Copper, silver, palladium, nickel, manganese, and zinc are among the metals used in making white gold and contribute to its harder, more durable composition as compared to silver. People asking “does white gold tarnish” can rest assured that it does not!
Additionally, white gold is plated with rhodium, which gives it a signature shiny finish that maintains over time. That’s why a white gold nose ring could almost look like silver in the right light! So now there’s no need to ask, “Does white gold tarnish,” because it’s guaranteed to shine the same way its whole lifespan!
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Properties of Silver
The silver used to make jewelry consists of pure silver (92.5% or higher for sterling) mixed with other metals, the most common being copper. Silver like white gold is often mixed with copper to make it sturdier and increase its durability and longevity. Its appearance is also shiny, but as we will learn later, silver needs more care to maintain its luster.
Because silver earrings are softer than white gold, it is susceptible to changing shape as the piece ages, although minimally. White gold is sturdier than silver! People also wonder “Does white gold tarnish?” because it looks so much like silver–the visual similarities cause some to believe white gold is the same on a chemical level, but that’s not true!
White Gold vs. Silver by Appearance
What is white gold, and what is silver? It’s hard to tell visually! The whole reason why it’s hard to tell by looks whether jewelry is white gold or silver is that they look nearly identical – at least at first glance. Take a closer look or give it some time and you’ll start to see the differences. How can you tell what is white gold compared to silver? Does white gold tarnish? Which is right for any given situation? It’s all up to you!
Shine and Finish
Although white gold is shiny and glossy on the exterior in the same way as silver, the rhodium plating on white gold gives it a mirrored appearance. If you see a more vivid reflection, that can help you tell what white gold is. You might have already noticed that your white gold belly ring is sparkler than your sterling silver ones! Does white gold tarnish? No way!
So, can shine tell you what is white gold? To a point! An appraiser will know the characteristic shines of each metal better than you might. White gold is more obvious to an appraiser than to the average jewelry lover. If a piece is much shinier than a metal you know to be silver, you might not want to make the drive, but if you’re really finding it hard to tell, an appraiser will tell you in moments.
Tarnishing Tells All
Silver’s shine also loses hold over time and needs to be cleaned much more frequently, so you can tell what white gold over time is if you’re wondering. White gold will maintain its shine and coloring without much upkeep if the rhodium coating is replenished about every two years. Without this maintenance, white gold will start to turn yellow and dull. One question you might have about your white gold hoops: does white gold tarnish? Luckily, your white gold will never tarnish!
Numbers Don’t Lie
Like yellow gold, white gold is often marked with its karat number, appearing as 14k, 18k, and so on. Silver jewelry is usually marked with 925 to indicate that it’s sterling (92.5 percent pure silver), like most of our Flora collection. Less commonly, it will say 999 (99.9 percent pure silver.) So, take a look on the back of a pendant or inside of a ring and you’re likely to find out what is white gold and what is not.
That brings up some issues with quality. Does white gold tarnish? No, it doesn’t. But can it come at lower levels of quality than sterling silver? That is unfortunately true. Going for 10K gold might be less high end than wearing 925 sterling silver. So, what is white gold in terms of quality when compared to sterling silver? It all depends on the karats!
When in Doubt, Get an Appraisal
If you’re interested in selling your jewelry, but you aren’t 100 percent sure what you’re dealing with, you can get an appraisal from a jeweler authorized by the American Gem Society or Jewelers of America, two well-known organizations that set jewelry standards. It does cost some money, but it’s much less than the money you could lose for not knowing the value of your piece.
In general, you can find help from appraisers if you do your research and find one you can trust! Whether you go to the American Gem Society, Jewelers of America, or another trusted appraiser organization, you can find someone who will tell you truthfully whether your jewelry is white gold or silver. Then you can wear your white gold and silver pieces with confidence!
There are also at-home tests you can do to test if your jewelry is true white gold or silver. One way to test is to just ask: does white gold tarnish? If your piece is tarnished, then it’s silver. A quicker test can be more convenient though since tarnishing can take a long time and many people don’t want to tarnish their silver! However, we would not recommend most of these tests because they can end up damaging the jewelry.
Testing white gold, for example, involves applying nitric acid or white vinegar to see if it changes color. If the substances aren’t washed off immediately, they could leave a mark. If you asked, does white gold tarnish, the answer is no, but it can be damaged in other ways! An easy and safe way to test silver, though, is by trying to use a magnet on it, as silver is not magnetic and won’t stick.
Two Metals That Shine – Solo or Combined!
You might have come to this article wondering: does white gold tarnish? What is white gold? We hope we’ve let you know that white gold is a fascinating metal that looks just as stunning as silver, even though they have some key differences! Whether you go to an appraiser or you can tell by yourself by now, you’re going to be glad you know the difference between your white gold jewelry and your silver pieces!
Whether you decide to go with white gold or silver jewelry on any given occasion, you’re now an educated buyer who can shop with confidence after reading this article. Both metals have their own appeal, and they go great together, so you can combine the two in your look! Maybe you’ll go for a white gold pair of earrings for formal occasions, and sterling silver for lower key looks!
Trust is a high priority when buying jewelry, especially since white gold is so valuable. There are both large and small businesses that belong to professional organizations and can also provide certificates of authenticity for their pieces. Look for ethical sourcing and a lifetime warranty as other sure signs of a reputable jeweler (side note: Lavari has both!)
Answers to questions like “what is white gold?” and “does white gold tarnish?” have been provided here, and now you can choose whether white gold is the metal for you. Anyone who has ever asked “does white gold tarnish” has probably gone through the same journey, so you can rest assured that your new white gold jewelry is informed by old pros like us. Trust Lavari and you can trust your jewelry!