Both white gold and silver are two metals commonly used in jewelry designs. The two can not see much difference from the appearance, but in fact, they are not the same. About white gold Vs silver- It is not just a matter of appearance, we should also consider more substantive aspects.
Table of Contents
What Is White Gold?
White gold is a precious metal alloy of pure gold with one or even several white metals, usually 14K or 18K white gold. White gold has a silver-white luster and is usually plated with a layer of rhodium to add luster. White gold is often used to make a variety of jewelry, especially white gold engagement rings and wedding bands are loved by many couples.
What Is Silver?
Silver is a silver-white metal with high gloss and conductivity, used in a wide range of industries, such as jewelry, tableware, industry and so on. It has a hardness of 2.5-3 and is a softer metal. Silver has a long history and was used in ancient times for religious ceremonies and the making of sacred vessels. In modern times, silver is made into necklaces, bracelets, rings and so on in jewelry.
White Gold Vs Silver- Color And Luster
White gold: White gold has a bright silver-white appearance. The white metals that make up white gold give white gold its distinctive silver-white luster, making it look similar to platinum. The layer of rhodium plated on white gold is an extremely bright and reflective metal that gives white gold its dazzling luster. Although rhodium plating may wear down over time, it can be restored to its original luster by re-plating rhodium. The bright luster of white gold allows it to be paired with many colored gemstones to make a variety of bridal sets and other jewelry.
Silver: Silver is a single type of metal, itself a natural silver white, the whitest colour of the metals. Silver is highly reflective and its lustre is very bright. This makes silver look very shiny after polishing.
White Gold Vs Silver- Durability
White gold: Due to the synthesis of several metals, the original hardness of gold is soft, but after fusing with other metals, the hardness and wear resistance of white gold has been significantly improved. The Mohs hardness of white gold is usually between 3.5 and 4, depending on the white metal used and its proportion. Due to its high hardness, platinum is not easily deformed by everyday wear and is more resistant to wear and tear.
Silver: Sterling silver (Ag) is relatively soft, with a Mohs hardness of about 2.5 to 3. To increase its hardness, silver is often mixed with metals such as copper to form 925 silver (also known as sterling silver or standard silver), which contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. However, silver is still softer than white gold. Because of its low hardness, silver is more easily deformed in everyday use. In particular, small or complex silver products require more careful handling and storage.
White Gold Vs Silver- Affordability
White gold: Because white gold contains gold and because white gold jewelry is often plated with a layer of rhodium for added luster, adding to the cost, the price of white gold is usually higher and fluctuates with the price of gold but is lower than platinum. 14K and 18K white gold are examples of white gold, and the price of 18K white gold will be higher because of its higher gold content.
Silver: As a natural metal with relatively low processing and fabrication costs, silver is relatively inexpensive, often much less than white gold, platinum and yellow gold, making it suitable for consumers on a lower budget. Silver’s low cost makes it an affordable jewelry choice for everyday wear and fashion accessories.
White Gold Vs Silver- Allergy
White gold: White gold is an alloy made from pure gold that is mixed with a white metal such as nickel, palladium or silver. Nickel is a common sensitising metal and some people are allergic to it. Therefore, people who are allergic to nickel choose white gold alloys with no or low nickel content. White gold is usually non-allergenic due to the rhodium plating. If the rhodium coating wears away, the underlying platinum alloy containing nickel may be exposed and cause an allergic reaction. Regular rhodium plating can therefore prevent allergic problems.
Silver: Most people are not allergic to sterling silver, but if 925 silver may contain other metals (usually copper), people who are allergic to copper may have an allergic reaction. Therefore, if you know you are allergic to copper, it is best to choose sterling silver jewelry to wear.
White Gold Vs Silver- Resistance to Oxidation
White gold: The components of white gold, palladium, nickel and other white metals have good oxidation resistance, and there is a layer of rhodium coating, so the antioxidant performance of white gold is relatively excellent, timely long-term wear can maintain the original appearance and luster.
Silver: Silver reacts easily with sulphur compounds in the air during daily use, causing the surface to darken and lose some of its lustre. It can also react with hydrogen sulphide in the air and turn black. Silver jewellery therefore needs regular cleaning and care.
White Gold Vs Silver- Chemical Reaction
White gold: The chemical properties of white gold are very stable, not easy to react with some chemicals in daily life, coupled with the protection of the coating, making white gold very corrosion resistant, even when it comes to hand sanitizer, dishwashing liquid and other chemical agents can remain stable and not easy to react.
Silver: Silver reacts easily with sulphur compounds in the air, and it reacts easily with chemical products in life, such as perfumes and cosmetics, accelerating oxidation. It also reacts easily with the salt and sebum in sweat, accelerating the discolouration of silver.
White Gold Vs Silver- Care And Maintenance
White gold: The chemical properties of white gold are very stable, not easy to react with some chemicals in daily life, coupled with the protection of the coating, making white gold very corrosion resistant, even when it comes to hand sanitizer, dishwashing liquid and other chemical agents can remain stable and not easy to react.
Silver: Silver reacts easily with sulphur compounds in the air, and it reacts easily with chemical products in life, such as perfumes and cosmetics, accelerating oxidation. It also reacts easily with the salt and sebum in sweat, accelerating the discolouration of silver.
Conclusion
This article analyses white gold vs silver from 7 aspects. If you have a sufficient budget and you prefer durable and stable properties, then I recommend you to choose white gold, Amanda Fine Jewellery offers a wide range of white gold jewellery, you are welcome to inquire. If you like softer geology and a worn out feeling after a long time, then you can choose silver jewellery. Both white gold and silver have their characteristics, choose according to your real situation and like.
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