What’s the difference between silver and white gold?

White gold is a mixture of pure yellow gold and other white metals, to give it a brilliant white appearance similar to silver. This is often coated with a metal called Rhodium to strengthen and give it an extra shine and long lasting quality. Sterling Silver, on the other hand, is pure silver that’s mixed with copper to make jewelry and has a shiny white look like white gold. This is a budget-friendly alternative to white gold, although it does need polishing more frequently.

The choice between white gold and silver isn’t as clear cut as it once was. Many buyers today are choosing the beautiful look of silver even when they can afford gold, and others who thought they couldn’t afford gold are choosing the pure, shiny gloss that only white gold can offer.

A lot of people actually wonder what the difference is between silver and white gold. Due to their similar looks, it’s obviously tough to tell the difference between the two materials at first glance. They're so similar, it's possible think they are the same thing, or made of similar materials, when this could not be further from the truth! It’s important to weigh out the pros and cons of white gold vs. silver before deciding between the two.

What’s silver made of?

Silver is a shiny, white precious metal that's often mixed with copper when making jewelry, also known as sterling silver. Mixing pure silver with other materials gives it the strength to ensure it won't be too soft to create beautiful jewelry pieces. Sterling Silver is the least expensive of the white metals. It's usually stamped "925," which means 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals.

What’s white gold made of?

White gold is created by combining pure gold and a white metal such as nickel or palladium, which gives the unique shiny white look to the regular gold. Many people have concerns about whether white gold or silver products contain nickel, since it’s such a common source of sensitivity. Nickel is the main metal people are allergic to, and jewelry that contains this can be very irritating to the skin and cause itchy and painful reactions. It’s important to ensure that if you have sensitivities to nickel, that any piece of jewelry you buy will be nickel-free.

There is a material called Rhodium, which is a precious metal often used for plating white gold jewelry, because of its beautiful finish and sets off the white gold beautifully. The Rhodium plating is a great addition to the white gold; however this finish does wear off over time and require re-plating occasionally.

How to tell the difference between the two:

Silver	White Gold
Has a very shiny and lustrous finish	Has a beautiful mirror-like white shine, from its Rhodium plating
Is an affordable and beautiful budget-friendly alternative	Is a great choice if you have a higher budget and want a fine quality material
Substantially lower price than white gold	Considered an investment, since it’s a very high quality and damage-resistant material
Tends to be much softer than white gold and can change shape over time	Has a more durable, hard finish that’s able to hold more intricate details
Silver also shines brightly when new; however this will need to be cleaned more frequently to maintain its lustrous look, because it often tarnishes *10 tested methods on how to clean your silver jewelry	Stays shiny for a long time, needs re-plating with Rhodium every couple years or so

How do I decide on white gold or silver?

One of the biggest differences, when you’re weighing white gold or silver, is clearly the price. Silver is a much cheaper material, and is quite beautiful if you are on a budget and looking for quality elegant sterling silver jewelry. White gold costs $23.86 per gram, while sterling silver costs only $0.59 per gram. So when you’re making the difficult decision between white gold vs. silver, cost is definitely a major deciding factor for most people. But you might be surprised by a beautiful piece of white gold jewelry you absolutely adore. And while it might be a stretch to afford gold, it's definitely worth the higher price tag for white gold to invest in a lasting, beautiful quality piece.
At the end of the day, whether you choose white gold or silver, knowing and considering these different characteristics of these two metals will help you decide which option is going to give you the gorgeous piece of jewelry you’ll be proud to wear and enjoy for a lifetime.

What are the similarities between silver and white gold?

Although there are some major differences between silver and white gold, there might be some similarities between the two metals. Here are a few similarities that you need to know:

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Alluring jewelry pieces in silver

Dainty Script Name Necklace

The dainty script name necklace is a captivating jewelry item that looks exceptional with every dress. The necklace is popular among jewelry lovers in sterling silver settings. The mesmerizing silver hue of the necklace brings out the name, whereas the dainty pendant effortlessly completes your look. Besides personal possession, it is also a great gift for all silver jewelry lovers.

Carrie-style name bracelet

The character 'Carrie' from Sex and The City is the one who introduced the world to a casual name necklace and bracelet. Now, you can honor your love for this film character with the amazing Carrie-style name bracelet. Sterling silver setting and a dainty design make this bracelet popular among true fashion lovers. Wear it every day or gift it to special people in life; the bracelet wins the hearts of everyone.

Engraved stacking name rings

Two is always better than one, making this accessory the talk of the town. The engraved stacking name rings can hold up to two names in a captivating font placed over each other in a cutout form. The sterling name ring is ideal for everyday wear and formal attire too. Moreover, the sparkling silver chrome compliment the wearer's skin while showcasing names or people closer to their hearts.

Signature necklace

Signature not only makes each one of us unique from each other but also makes add meaning to our life. Now, with our state-of-the-art signature necklace, you can carry your signature everywhere you go. Although available in many settings, one of our favorites is sterling silver. Wear it with boho dresses or a formal event by the office, and turn heads everywhere you go!

The beautiful customized Jewelry in white gold.

Check out some of the most amazing customized white gold accessories, including a gold name necklace with a diamond.

Classic Name Necklace

classic name necklace looks amazing in every finish, including white gold. The simple yet classy necklace features a clean and dainty pendant that carries your name in an efficient font. The white gold plated chain can be worn for hours without any discomfort. Moreover, the sideway orientation makes the name pendant visible even from a distance.

Personalized Name bracelet

Honor your name with the premium quality personalized name bracelet. The stylish font adds glimmer and quality to the wearer's personality. From chain length to pendant size, you can completely customize the bracelet according to your choice and show the world your good taste in customized bracelets.

Number Necklace

Numbers are crucial in life and transform our personality into who we are today. Be it the number of your favorite team, your birthday, or any special numerals in life, the number necklace in white gold plating is an ideal jewelry choice. The bold number pendant sits in the middle of a comfortable fit chain. It is ideal for every casual event attire and dressing style. Get it for yourself or a loved one, and show your good taste in Jewelry.

His and Hers Fingerprint ring set

showcase your feelings towards your better half with our exquisite his and her fingerprint ring set. The unique ring set looks top-notch in platinum plating and captivating with every dress and other accessory.

FAQ

Is sterling silver good jewelry?

Yes, sterling silver plating is affordable and adds an aesthetic edge to your jewelry items. Whether you're looking for personalized necklaces, bracelets, rings, or even intricate pendants, the versatility of sterling silver plating allows for intricate designs and detailed engravings.

How to store silver Jewelry?

Keep the Jewelry in a cool, dry place. Sterling silver plating might lose its shine and tarnish quickly if exposed to direct sunlight; therefore, avoid direct contact with sunlight. Use anti-tarnish cloth or pouches to prevent tarnishing, and store pieces separately to avoid scratching. Avoid contact with chemicals, and consider using silica gel packs or anti-tarnish strips to reduce moisture.

Does white gold plating wear off?

White gold plating can wear off over time due to everyday wear and chemical exposure. Re-plating is often needed to maintain the original appearance. However, white gold plating available at our store is not only high quality but also last longer, thus making your customized jewelry heirloom.

How to clean white gold jewelry?

To clean white gold jewelry, soak it in warm soapy water, scrub gently with a soft brush, rinse, dry with a soft cloth, and use a Jewelry polishing cloth for shine. Avoid harsh chemicals and consider professional cleaning for deep maintenance.