When buying an engagement ring or other jewelry, you may be faced with a choice: white gold or silver? White gold and silver are two similar metals with a silvery-white color appearance and a variety of uses in jewelry. But can you tell the difference between them? Do you know which is better? In this article, we’ll compare white gold and silver, highlighting their differences, pros, and cons, and helping you choose the one that suits you best.
Table Of Contents
- What is White Gold?
- How is White Gold Made?
- What is Silver?
- How is Silver Made?
- Differences Between White Gold and Silver
- Sterling Silver Vs. White Gold: Which is Better?
- About White Gold and Silver FAQs
What is White Gold?
White gold, often referred to as white K gold in some contexts, is not mined directly. It is a man-made alloy consisting of gold and other white precious metals. Depending on the gold purity, it is classified into 10K, 14K, 18K white gold, etc. The higher the gold content, the lower the hardness. The initial development of white gold aimed to achieve an appearance similar to that of platinum (a naturally silver-white metal that is quite expensive).
Related: Platinum Vs. White Gold
How is White Gold Made?
White gold is made by mixing gold with a certain proportion of white precious metals (such as silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), and nickel (Ni)). For instance, common 18K white gold purity is 75% gold, and the remaining 25% consists of other metals. Even with a white metal content of 58.3%, 10K white gold does not achieve a color similar to platinum. So, what about the silver-white white gold available on the market? Don’t worry, it’s real. The production of white gold involves an essential step—rhodium plating. Coating the metal surface with a layer of rhodium (Rh) gives it a perfect silver-white luster. Thus, the complete production process of white gold involves mixing a certain proportion of gold with white precious metals, followed by rhodium plating.
What is Silver?
Silver is a naturally occurring silver-white metal with high conductivity, thermal conductivity, ductility, and reflectivity. Its extensive use in jewelry is due to its ductility, which can accommodate various designs, and its high reflectivity, which gives it a superior silver-white sheen. Silver is classified based on its content, such as 999 silver, 925 silver, and 900 silver. In jewelry, 925 silver is commonly used, containing 92.5% silver and the remaining being other metals, usually copper.
How is Silver Made?
Silver can be obtained through direct mining, but the silver produced from direct mining cannot be used directly in the jewelry industry. The silver ore needs to be crushed, the silver minerals separated through flotation, and then the impurities are removed through high-temperature smelting. Finally, high-purity silver is extracted using chemical precipitation or electrolysis for jewelry processing.
Differences Between White Gold and Silver
White Gold Vs. Silver Color Difference
Both white gold and silver have a silver-white luster, but white gold, due to rhodium plating, appears more transparent and bright.
- White Gold: Because of the rhodium plating, white gold has a brighter silver-white luster with a milky white base, appearing more transparent.
- Silver: Silver’s silver-white color is relatively darker, with a grayish base, lacking the transparency of white gold.
White Gold Vs. Silver Durability Difference
Silver has a lower hardness than white gold, its durability is lower.
- White Gold: The hardness of 18K white gold is 2.5-3 on the Mohs scale; 14K white gold is 3.5-4; 10K white gold is 5-5.5.
- Silver: Pure silver has a Mohs hardness of 2.5-3; 925 silver has a hardness similar to sterling silver.
White Gold Vs. Silver Corrosion Resistance Difference
- White Gold: White gold’s rhodium layer provides excellent corrosion resistance and chemical stability, preventing oxidation and maintaining a long-lasting silver-white luster.
- Silver: Silver is chemically unstable and reacts with sulfides in the air, leading to blackening. Hence, silver requires more frequent maintenance to retain its luster.
White Gold Vs. Silver Density Difference
- White Gold: The density of white gold typically ranges from 14-19g/cm³.
- Silver: Silver’s density is 10.49 g/cm³.
Silver is less dense than white gold, so it is indisputable that white gold is heavier than sterling silver for the same volume. Therefore, it is clear that white gold has more texture than silver.
White Gold Vs. Silver Price Difference
Silver is cheaper due to its lower costs.
- White Gold: The price of white gold depends on the gold content, and since gold is costly, white gold is more expensive than silver.
- Silver: Silver, though it also requires refining, involves less complicated processes than white gold. Silver’s price is also lower than gold, making it cheaper than white gold.
White Gold Vs. Silver Safety Difference
The most common allergen in precious metals is nickel, so materials containing nickel can cause allergic reactions.
- White Gold: Made from gold and other metals, white gold may contain nickel. However, the rhodium plating isolates the nickel from direct contact with the skin, reducing the likelihood of allergies (note that worn plating might cause allergies).
- Silver: 925 silver used in jewelry contains 7.5% other metals, usually copper, but nickel may be present in low amounts, making it less likely to cause allergies.
Sterling Silver Vs. White Gold: Which is Better?
White gold and silver each have their pros and cons, excelling in different aspects. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each:
White Gold Pros
- Superior luster and resistance to oxidation
- Higher hardness and durability
- Less likely to cause allergies (with intact plating)
White Gold Cons
- Requires periodic rhodium plating
- More expensive
Silver Pros
- More affordable
- Less likely to cause allergies
- High ductility, suitable for complex designs
Silver Cons
- Prone to scratches
- Easily oxidizes and turns black
- Requires more frequent maintenance
If you’re looking for a more cost-effective metal, silver is a perfect choice. If you prefer a more substantial feel, white gold is better.
About White Gold and Silver FAQs
What Are the Visual Differences Between White Gold and Silver?
White gold’s silver-white base color is usually milky white due to the rhodium plating, making it appear whiter. Silver’s base color is gray, appearing more silver than white.
Does White Gold Tarnish?
It won’t. The white gold itself will not tarnish, but the rhodium plating on the white gold will wear off.
How to Tell White Gold from Silver？
The simplest method is to look at the markings on the item. White gold usually has markings like X(K), while silver is marked with (S)X. (K represents karat, S represents silver). You can also distinguish by color: white gold is whiter and brighter, while silver is darker and less bright. If you’re still unsure, visit a professional jewelry appraisal service for testing.
Does White Gold Turn Yellow?
Yes, because white gold is karat gold. Without rhodium plating, its base color is yellow, and when the rhodium layer wears off, it will revert to its original yellow color.
How Often Should White Gold Be Rhodium Plated?
Generally, rhodium plating is needed every three years, but the frequency and environment of use can vary, so you should decide based on your own situation.
Who Should Not Wear White Gold?
People prone to metal allergies should avoid wearing white gold, as it contains various metal components.
How to Maintain the Luster of Silver?
Regular cleaning and polishing can help silver maintain its silver-white luster for a long time.
What to Do if Silver Turns Black?
Use special silver polishing cloths, cleaning solutions, baking soda, lemon juice, aluminum-based cleaners, or polishing to restore silver.
Can Waste Pharmaceutical Blisters (WBPs) and Hot Water Restore the Luster of Silver?
Yes, blister packs contain aluminum, which reacts with oxidized silver (Ag₂O) in hot water to restore silver. The chemical reaction is 4Al + Ag₂O → 6Ag + 2Al₂O₃.
Can Tin Foil Clean Silver?
Yes, tin foil contains aluminum, which reacts with oxidized silver, restoring it to its original state.
Final Thoughts
Knowing about white gold and silver can help you save time when shopping. When you’re ready to choose which one to go with, get ethical, one-of-a-kind pieces of white gold jewelry or silver jewelry at MollyJewelryUS.