What is the Difference Between 10k and 14k White Gold?

14k white gold ring is 58.3 % rich in gold, which is higher than 10k piece’s 41.7 % gold content. Thus, a 10k white gold ring has more additional metals, which makes it harder and more durable than the 14k ring. 14k rhodium plated white gold ring has a higher purity( 14 in 24 parts) and greater price than a similar 10k one.

Continue for discover more on the comparison  10k vs 14k white gold jewelry.

What is white gold?

Gold is an element with symbol Au, short for Aurum.

It is a precious metal with atomic number 79, on the periodic table.

Regular gold has a natural yellow color.

Unfortunately, this bright malleable metal is too soft for producing a piece of jewelry, as it is too soft.

Thus, for centuries, people have used alloys for gold jewelry.

A gold alloy is a mix of gold and secondary metals like copper, zinc, silver or nickel.

The latter part increases strength and gives durability. It also changes the color from reddish yellow to, mainly, pink rose or in our case, to white.

White gold is one example with mainly affordable metals like nickel and zinc.

Thanks to this addition, our initial yellow gold gets harder and, whiter.

It gains a color which is comparable to 925 sterling silver and platinum‘s color.

What is karat? What is 10k and 14k white gold?

Karat	Stamp	Gold parts	Percentage	Hardness	Color	Price
10 Karat	10K	10 / 24	41.7	+++	+++	+
14 Karat	14K	14 / 24	58.3	++	++	++

The plus(+) signs in the table are used for illustrating the changes in hardness, color and price levels. They do not show a ratio relation in any terms.

The purity of gold alloys is denoted in karat.

24 karat or 24k is 100% pure gold.

A fine piece of gold has 24 parts in 24 in its composition.

10k ring has 10 parts in 24. That corresponds to 41.7% purity.

The remaining 58.3% of the ring comes from other cheaper metals. These are mostly base metals like copper, zinc and nickel.

Likewise, 14k white gold engagement ring has 58.3% gold content.

Check rhodium plated white gold rings

Many times, white gold pieces are plated with rhodium.

This thin layer protects the gold core and gives it a more uniform color.

Rhodium is a pure hypoallergenic metal, which is safe for people with sensitive skin.

Though not guaranteed, it is highly unexpected to see any skin irritation, as it pure and considered a safe metal.

Always prefer hypoallergenic metals, in order to avoid allergies in people with sensitive skin.

Rhodium is an expensive metal, which can even be sold at higher prices than gold.

So, while the coating protects the gold core, it increases the price.

Another downside of rhodium is its brittle nature. You should not consider it stainless steel 361L or tungsten level durable.

Thus, it is not the everlasting, omnipotent defender of white gold!

With daily wear and tear, the rhodium coating may wear off letting day light reach the inner white metal alloy.

But don’t worry, there is a easy and fast solution.

In the coating wears off, your local jeweler may restore the initial look with a re-plating session.

This is a quick and simple process.

Will 10k or 14k white gold tarnish?

Sterling silver does tarnish, but not gold.

10k white gold does not tarnish.

Moreover, white gold has a rhodium coating, which protects the inner alloy.

This layer does distance any outside effect like friction, impacts, perfumes, skin oil etc. thus, it will prevent tarnishing.

Will 14k gold turn skin green?

The culprit of greenish color is copper.

This rosy metal is the main component for metals which may turn your skin green.

Copper interacts with oxygen, humidity, perfumes and skin oil leaving behind a dark green spot or circle. This is a sort of copper oxide.

10k pieces may contain copper that could turn the skin to green.

We should note that this is more of a problem with rose gold.

Guess where the pink rose color comes from? Yes, copper.

However, we saw that white gold pieces are often coated with rhodium.

This plating will prevent copper touching the skin, until it wears off.

If you want to stay on the safe side, choose high karat pieces like 18k or 20k.

And, you can pick solely rhodium plated pieces for your white gold jewelry.

Although, this is not your only choice: you can have your pieces without plating too.

But for especially, your earrings, we would definitely go with rhodium plated white gold earrings and leave the worries for other hurdles of life!

How long does rhodium plating last on white gold rings?

Generally speaking, for a frequently worn white gold wedding band, you may expect the need for a re-plating session every two years.

This period will vary depending on physical impacts, heat, friction, skin oil, pH levels and perfume usage.

If your daily life is full adrenaline and movement, this period would shorten.

10k white gold has a stronger white color than 14k white gold

As the added metals increase, the color will get closer to “real” white.

As 10k has a 58.3% of addition to 14k gold’s 41.7%, its look is whiter.

14k gold ring is softer than 10k gold ring

As we said above, 24 karat pure gold is too soft for jewelry.

This is why we make it into stronger, durable alloys, and only then, produce rings, bracelets, necklaces and other items.

The durability and hardness increase with added metals.

As 14 karat jewelry has a lower percentage of added silver, nickel and zinc, it is softer than 10k pieces.

10 karat white gold jewelry has a higher scratch resistance than 14 karat gold pieces.

Both of these pieces are harder than sterling silver and softer than stainless steel.

The Verdict: Which is better 10k or 14k white gold?

10k and 14 white gold have both pros and cons.

14 karat gold jewelry is richer in gold percentage. It has 58.3 percent gold in its composition.

10 karat gold pieces are less than half pure: they have 41.7 percent gold in their mix.

Obviously, 14 karat white gold’s high purity comes with a higher price.

10 karat gold’s higher portion of metals makes it harder than 14k gold.

10k piece is more durable than 14k one. It has a higher scratch resistance.

10k jewelry also has a closer color to white, as it has a bigger amount of white metals in its composition.

Don’t forget that if your ring or necklace is rhodium plated, the inner white gold base can only be seen after the outer layer wears off.

So, a naked eye can’t tell the difference between rhodium plated 10k and 14 white gold rings.

The main benefit of the rhodium plating is its hypoallergenic nature. It is a noble metal which does not react with the skin. This layer offers peace of mind for people with metal hypersensitivity.

If you are going to prefer non-plated white gold, make sure it does not include nickel, as its the main cause for metal allergies.

Nickel allergy is probably good enough on its own to switch to hypoallergenic options for jewelry.

At the end of the day, both 10k and 14k white gold are popular metals used in jewelry worldwide. They are real gold and both valuable quality metal.

Your ultimate decision will come to price and design and personal taste between these close alloys.

Where can I buy white gold jewelry?

You can enjoy Amazon’s wide selection which includes many different types of white gold jewelry by clicking here.

Related Questions

1. Is 10k white gold good?

10 karat white gold is made of real, yellow gold.

It is an alloy with 41.7% gold content in its mix.

The remaining part comes from white metals like zinc.

2. How much is 14k white gold ring worth?

14k white gold ring has 58.3% gold in its mix.

You can calculate the precious metal weight by multiplying the ring’s weight with 0.583 .

Then you multiply it with the trading price and reach to the raw price of precious metal used to produce the ring.

Of course, the brand, design, supply & demand and any gemstones used do change the end price.

 

3. Does 14k white gold tarnish?

No,it does not tarnish like sterling silver.

4. Is 14k white gold real?

Yes, it is real.

It is made of yellow gold, which is a soft metal lacking necessary hardness for jewelry.

It is made into an alloy with white metals, making it harder and whiter.

5. Is 14k white gold hypoallergenic?

Gold is a hypoallergenic metal.

However, its alloys may include nickel and zinc.

Nickel is the usual suspect for metal allergies. Also a small portion of the population have hypersensitivity to copper.

In doubt, check your prospects for rhodium plating as it is hypoallergenic.

6. Does 14k white gold have nickel in it?

It may have nickel, zinc, silver and platinum in its composition to change its color, durability and hardness.

7. Is 14k white gold magnetic?

White gold is not magnetic.

8. Does 10k white gold rust?

10k white gold does not rust.

Rust is a type of oxidation of iron and iron alloys.

White gold does not have iron in its composition.

8. Why is my white gold turning yellow?

It does not turn to yellow.

White gold pieces are many times coated with rhodium.

If this thin layer wears off, the inner color becomes visible.

The yellowy color you start to see is the color of the gold alloy.

You can easily have your jewelry re-plated with rhodium at your jeweler and restore its appearance.

9. Is white gold worth anything? Does white gold have resale value?

Yes, a piece of gold always retains its value, with being subject to market fluctuations.

White gold is a gold alloy.

It is a precious metal like silver, palladium and platinum.

It has been used as money for centuries.

Even today, central banks hold gold reserves.

This is not without a reason.