You can pair white gold and sterling silver with most colors and gems such as crystals, turquoise, and pearls. This is a good combination for those with allergy to normal, plated jewelry items. Rhodium might be expensive (more expensive than gold), brittle … Because sterling silver and white gold look so similar, the hidden 925 will tell you what metal you are looking at. Descriptions. White Gold Grillz or .925 Sterling Silver Grillz are some of our most popular mouth grills. The most common alloy that usually contributes to the total make up of sterling silver is copper. The most obvious difference between sterling silver and white gold is the fact they are made from two different precious metals. (Bonus note: Gold Plate is not to be confused with "Vermeil" (pronounced vehr-MAY), which is a thicker level of gold plating over sterling silver rather than a base metal. Sterling silver is less durable but more affordable. While shopping for sterling silver, you may notice a “925” stamped on the metal, which means that it contains 92.5% of pure silver and 7.5% of other metals. You might be wondering what is sterling silver? Look for the "Sterling" sign imprinted on the silver's surface. Both white gold and silver require some level of maintenance, as does all jewelry. White gold is more similar to platinum in the sense that it is a higher quality and possibly even a little rarer. If you’re looking for longevity with your jewelry, white gold is definitely going to outshine silver. Generally, the metals used in white gold are nickel, silver or palladium and the properties of white gold varies on which alloy is used. So you want to find something that will last, something that you won’t tarnish, scratch or break easily. Sterling Silver vs White Gold. Policyholders of both insurers are members of Jewelers Mutual Holding Company. One of the biggest differences between white gold and sterling silver when it comes to durability is that white gold is more scratch-resistant. So when you’re making the difficult decision between white gold vs. silver, cost is definitely a major deciding factor for most people. This also includes saltwater like the ocean. Then is ranked gold filled as it allows for a cheaper but still valuable alternative to solid gold. 24K Gold Plated — This means the plating layer is 24K gold. [CDATA[// >. The difference between vermeil, and gold-filled, is in the thickness of the gold and the base metal used. Gold vermeil (pronounced ver-may) is a common term used to describe gold-over-silver plated jewelry. However, plated jewelry that is subjected to a lot of wear (like a ring) will eventually wear off the plating in places. Silver is among the most affordable types of metal for jewelry, making it perfect for costume jewelry that you rotate with your wardrobe. Here's what you need to know when you're on the hunt for silver-hued jewelry. Now that you know all the differences, you really can see that although they may appear to look similar, they are two very different metals in white gold vs sterling silver. Haven’t insured your jewelry yet? As mentioned above, sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver alloyed with copper, but in some cases, nickel may be present in the other 7.5% of metals. Researching for an engagement ring? Avoid These 3 [VIDEO], 6 Ear Piercing Care Mistakes You're Probably Making, When and How to Make a Ring Smaller Without Resizing, What to Do When You Can't Get Your Ring Off, How to make a ring smaller without resizing. Estimate your rate in less than one minute. //--> So, if budget is a concern, silver can be great option. Do you recall us talking about the rhodium layer on top of the combination of yellow gold and an alloy (like nickel) that makes the gorgeous color hold and last? This metal alloy makes sterling silver … Vermeil (Pronounced: Vermay) Memorial Jewelry - Gold Vermeil is sterling silver that has been gold-plated. Simply soak the jewelry for two to three hours and then rinse it off with clean water. If you want silver minus the tarnish, then check Argentium silver engagement rings which carry a similar luster for much longer time. Regarding jewelry, silver is often alloyed with copper to add strength, since it’s a fairly soft metal. It is hundreds of times thicker and more durable than silver plated. I would suggest that if you don't want to spring for solid white gold then stick with sterling. Although often priced less than gold, silver is known to be a precious metal. So what is the difference between the two of them and why does it matter? To give you a better idea, keep in mind that white gold comes with a price tag of $23.86 per gram, while sterling silver is only $0.59 per gram! Our .925 Sterling Silver CZ Premium Grillz are made out of solid sterling silver and plated with a rhodium plating to protect it to last a lifetime. Sterling silver is the best type of silver for this, due to its containment of 92.5% actual silver (it is rare to find a piece of jewelry that is actually pure silver). White gold costs more than silver, but less than platinum, making it moderately affordable. In real vermeil, the gold plated layer can contain different layers of gold fineness. For example, a copper or silver ring with a layer of gold on top would be sold as gold plated. Which Is More Durable – Vermeil or Gold-Plated Jewelry? Does this mean that white gold is always better because it costs more? Sterling silver is the highest grade of silver that can have any practical use and is usually 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. With that being said, white gold may look like platinum, but with time the rhodium plating may cause issues. Sterling silver is more prone to tarnish and corrosion because it reacts with oxygen in the air because of its copper content, thus requiring more cleaning. Click the button below to get a quote in under a minute. Regarding white gold, Nickel is generally used as the alloy, but often white gold is plated with Rhodium, a silvery-white metal in the platinum family. One of the biggest differences, when you’re weighing white gold or silver, is clearly the price. For example, you may see that the bracelet you want to buy says that it is 925 sterling silver. For some of you, you may notice that sterling silver has a bit more brightness to it than white gold. White gold is a mixture of pure gold and other metals, which makes the metal harder with a white color appearance. It features a layer of Rhodium used to plate on a different metal. Sterling Silver versus Silver Plate Typically, sterling silver in Tampa will most often have some form of verification either via a stamp or the number “925” which marks the piece as an antique. The most popular terms used are solid gold, gold filled, and gold plated when describing pieces of gold jewellery. Does this mean that white gold is always better because it costs more? Regardless of what you know and don’t know about sterling silver and white gold, we hope you find something helpful and interesting from reading this. Read the differences between the two to help make your decision easier. So, if a white gold ring is 18 karats, this means that the ring is made up of 75% gold (18 karats divided by 24) and 25% other metals. However, whatever your preference is, you will not be disappointed in either white gold or sterling silver. This gives white gold that mirrored look and finish. But don’t fret if you are in search of budget-friendly jewelry, because sterling silver is exceptional as well. This may seem alarming as white gold comes with a fancy price. White plated gold is usually over sterling so no it will not rust or corrode with normal use. Every few years, your white gold piece will require a reapplication of rhodium plating by your jeweler, which easily restores the white finish. On the other hand, sterling silver is just metal and a whole jewel by itself. Sterling silver tends to be brighter than white gold, with a very shiny and lustrous finish. Rhodium-plated Sterling Silver Vs. Sterling Silver Available on Amazon-Please Click the Picture to Check the Price. But you might be surprised by a beautiful piece of white gold jewelry you absolutely adore. Check out our Cleaning & Care Guide! Without the reapplication, your jewelry will “yellow”. I only use 1/10 high quality silver filled. We recommend using a soft towel to wipe off and dry your jewelry. Price - Sterling silver is the most economical choice between gold, white gold and platinum. Sterling silver can last you decades. Sterling silver and white gold have a very similar silver/gray color. Dry off the white gold jewelry with a clean, dry towel. When looking for white gold, you will frequently find a yellow gold of up to 21 karats mixed with an alloy such as nickel, silver, and palladium. Here’s the 411 on sterling silver vs. 925 silver. This time you will mix mild soap with warm water. Silver is soft and easy to scratch and can change shape slightly with wear and tear, while white gold is resistant to both corrosion and impact. White gold is actually yellow gold mixed with white alloys such as nickel, zinc and palladium; as a result, it is not as bright as silver. That leads us to discuss the durability of sterling silver and white gold, as well as how much these metals compare when it comes to wear and tear. The two are both beautiful and precious pieces of metal that can create almost any kind of jewelry. How are those measured? Just like yellow gold, the purity of white gold is measured in karats. Most of our vermeil is plated with 22K-24K gold. This gives you a better idea of how much pure gold and how much of the alloy has been combined to create your special piece of jewelry. Any descriptions are a brief summary of coverage and are not part of any policies, nor a substitute for the actual policy language. They're both silver in color, but the two metals are quite different beyond their initial appearances. While sterling silver is prone to tarnish, it will never rust, so that's a plus. For example, you can absolutely wear your sterling silver in water; if it’s raining or you are taking a shower, there is no need to panic and take your ring off. If the silver was any purer then it would be to soft to use. Using a Homemade Jewelry Cleaner? Gold Over Sterling Silver … When shopping for a piece you'll wear every day, like an engagement ring, white gold is a much better bet for long-standing durability and resistance to wear. Rhodium is plated on sterling silver … Both gold and silver are durable, however, because they are both precious metals. By the end, you will feel like an expert, or at least comfortable and confident enough in your knowledge that you are ready to make a decision about which one to buy. Silver, on the other hand, requires regular cleaning and polishing to prevent tarnishing. Sterling Silver vs 925 Silver. White gold costs $23.86 per gram, while sterling silver costs only $0.59 per gram. Again, pure yellow gold is a little bit softer and when mixed with an alloy it becomes more durable and even scratch-resistant. Already have a quote?Retrieve your saved quote or application. Jewelry that bears the 0.925 sterling silver label must contain at least 92.5-percent pure silver. White gold is worth more $ than sterling silver but it has to be karat gold - eg. For a palladium vs white gold, you may read this post.