Despite the widespread usage of yellow and white gold in jewelry and wedding bands, there are a handful of myths surrounding these similar-yet-different precious metals. We correct these commonly held misconceptions about yellow versus white gold to explain their elemental characteristics and what accounts for their range in cost.

MYTH #1: Gold is yellow when its mined. Therefore, white gold is not really gold.
It’s true gold is usually a reddish yellow when its mined. But that doesn’t mean white gold isn’t genuine gold.

Regardless of its color, gold by itself is a soft metal, meaning it is easily scratched or dented. Therefore, to make it resilient enough for jewelry, which is prone to being bumped throughout the day, gold is combined with another alloying metal.

Herein lies the fundamental difference between yellow and white gold: yellow gold is combined with copper and zinc. White gold, meanwhile, is combined with nickel, manganese or palladium. These different alloy metals give gold its different yellow or white hue.

MYTH # 2: Yellow gold is more expensive than white gold.
Regardless of which metal is added to gold, its purity is measured and valued the same way.
Gold’s purity is measured in karats and is calculated by how many parts out of a possible 24 parts are pure gold. For example, 18-karat yellow gold is made of 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts alloying metal. The higher the karat number, the greater the amount of pure gold and, therefore, the more valuable the item. This holds true for yellow or white gold, so neither gold is purer or more expensive if the karats are the same.

What can account for any price difference between white and yellow gold is usually credited to the rhodium plating typical of white gold. When gold is combined with nickel or palladium, it still has a pale yellow hue. To eliminate that discoloration, white gold jewelry is typically plated in rhodium. Rhodium itself is an expensive precious metal that can increase the final cost of your white gold jewelry.

MYTH #3: A lot of people are allergic to gold.
Although it’s entirely possible to have a gold allergy, most people are actually allergic to nickel, the alloying metal frequently used in white gold.

Commonly referred to as “wedding ring rash,” a red patch may develop around your finger—even after years of wearing your wedding band. Naturally you’d suspect the gold itself as the culprit—it’s the visible metal, after all—but the nickel in the gold may be to blame. Ask your allergist or dermatologist to conduct a patch test to confirm if you’re allergic or sensitive to gold or nickel.

Historically polite society has snubbed the notion of wearing yellow gold and silver jewelry at the same time.

But, in recent years, mixed metal jewelry has exploded in popularity and combining different metals is a far cry from the fashion faux-pas of yesteryears. Instead, trendsetters and the fashion crowd regularly sport a variety of metal types and colors together.

And designers have followed suit. David Yurman’s Cable Classics Bracelets are made with sterling silver and 14-karat yellow gold. And for their Tiffany 1837 collection, Tiffany & Co. combined sterling silver and their exclusive rose-colored Rubedo metal, an alloy of gold, copper and silver, for their pendants and bracelets.

But each metal included in these designs requires a different type of care. To ensure that your mixed metal jewelry retains its luster and is safely polished, follow these crucial cleaning and storage tips for mixed metal jewelry.

Preventative Care for Mixed Metal Jewelry
Regularly wipe down your jewelry with a polishing cloth to keep build up from forming. Do not use facial tissues or paper towels to clean your piece as the paper fibers can scratch the surface of your jewelry.

Storing your jewelry in a fabric-lined jewelry box will also keep your pieces that include silver from tarnishing or collecting dust. We also recommend placing anti-tarnish strips inside your jewelry box. These strips absorb sulfides and other air pollutants to prevent (or at least slow down) tarnish from forming. However, these strips will not help remove pre-existing tarnish from your jewelry.

Cleaning Mixed Metal Jewelry
When it comes to cleaning mixed metal jewelry, you want to err on the side of caution and use the least abrasive cleanser. Dip your item in warm water with mild dish soap and gently polish the item with a soft cloth.

If you have a vintage item or a mixed metal piece that is in need of a deep clean, it’s best to bring it to a professional for cleaning. They can use stronger cleaning agents that will restore the item’s luster without compromising its integrity.

Cleaning Mixed Metal Jewelry with Precious Stones
If your mixed metal jewelry also includes precious or semi-precious stones, proceed with extreme caution. Precious and semi-precious stones each require very different care; while it may be safe to scrub a diamond, pearls and opals are incredibly soft and should never be immersed in water or cleaned with even a soft bristle toothbrush.

Therefore, when it comes to cleaning mixed metal jewelry with any kind of stones, you should only clean it with a soft cloth to lightly wipe away any dusty films. You should never use any cleaning products or an ultrasonic cleaner without consulting a professional jeweler first.

For more information on how to care for metal jewelry, read our post on the topic here.