Yellow, white and rose gold are all real gold with the same fineness – say 585 or 750. The colour only comes from the metals mixed in. Here's how the three differ.
Yellow gold
The classic: mixed with copper and silver, gold takes on its warm, golden colour. In the Turkish tradition, the rich 916 yellow gold is especially loved – it works well and is wonderful for delicate pieces.
White gold
Pale metals such as palladium or silver give gold a silvery-white tone. Often a layer of rhodium is added on top, which can be refreshed after some years. Modern white gold with palladium is nickel-free and so kind to the skin.
Rose gold
More copper gives gold its warm, rosé to red tone – the more copper, the stronger it is. Rose gold looks modern and romantic and, thanks to the copper, is fairly hard-wearing.
How the colours arise
Pure gold is too soft for everyday wear. Only mixing in other metals makes it durable – and at the same time gives it its colour.
| Colour | Added metals (besides gold) | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow gold | Copper + silver | warm, classic gold tone |
| White gold | palladium or silver (formerly nickel) | silvery-white, usually rhodium-plated |
| Rose gold | mostly copper | rosé to red – more copper, stronger |
| Green gold | mostly silver | pale green-yellow (rare) |
Worth knowing: the gold content is the same in every colour – 585 always contains 58.5% pure gold, 750 exactly 75.0%. Only the other metals differ, the gold value stays the same.
Why 22 carat is almost always yellow
The higher the fineness, the less room there is for colouring metals. That's why 916 gold (22 carat) is a strong yellow and closest to the natural colour of gold – white and rose gold mostly come in 585 or 750.
Which colour for whom?
This is mainly a matter of taste and skin tone. Worth knowing: at the same fineness, the gold value is the same whatever the colour. We'll gladly show you the tones side by side.