The Three Types of Gold: Yellow, White, and Rose
Pure gold (24 karats) is too soft for everyday jewelry, so it’s mixed with other metals to make it more durable and to create different colors. These combinations result in varying karat levels (such as 14K and 18K, used at Van Daelen) and tones. In this blog, we’ll explore the three main types of gold: yellow, white, and rose.
Yellow Gold
This is the closest to pure gold and the most traditional, as gold is naturally yellow. It’s typically created by mixing pure gold with small amounts of copper and silver. For example, 18K yellow gold consists of 75% pure gold and 25% copper and silver alloy.
White Gold
White gold is made by combining gold with white metals such as palladium, nickel, or platinum. In 18K white gold, the composition still includes 75% pure gold. To achieve a brighter, whiter finish, it’s often coated with a thin layer of rhodium — which also enhances its durability and resistance to wear.
Rose Gold
Its distinctive color comes from the copper content in the alloy. The higher the percentage of copper, the deeper the rose hue. In 18K rose gold, the blend is 75% gold, 20% copper, and 5% silver.
Each type of gold holds the same karat value (since the percentage of pure gold remains the same), but the metal combinations give it unique personality, strength, and tone.
