One thing to note about that rhodium layer is that it’s prone to wearing off and fading, turning into a yellowish color. Beside sterling silver, another metal white gold is compared to is, palladium. Yes, that includes the ring that you wear every single day! 10k, 14k, 18k etc. Sterling silver is an alloy made from 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent alloy. Pure gold is measured at 24 karats. Regardless of whether or not you can identify it with the naked eye, don’t stress too much. 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. 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. Meanwhile, markings of “EP” or “EPNS” indicate that you possess plated silver. Let’s talk about what these gorgeous metals are made up of, how long they will last ideally, and how durable they are for everyday wear and tear. 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. Coverage is subject to underwriting review and approval, and to the actual policy terms and conditions. The two are both beautiful and precious pieces of metal that can create almost any kind of jewelry. Curious to see how much jewelry insurance could cost you per year? Vermeil (Pronounced: Vermay) Memorial Jewelry - Gold Vermeil is sterling silver that has been gold-plated. Looking to clean your jewelry at home? To be legally called “vermeil,” the item must have a gold thickness of 2.5 microns and the coating must be over a sterling silver base. The Rhodium plated can have sterling silver beneath it or any other metal. Just tell us what you need to insure, how much it’s worth and your zip/postal code. So when you’re making the difficult decision between white gold vs. silver, cost is definitely a major deciding factor for most people. How are those measured? They're both silver in color, but the two metals are quite different beyond their initial appearances. //-->. Look for the "Sterling" sign imprinted on the silver's surface. 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. You are guaranteed to get a quality and valuable piece of jewelry when you purchase white gold. You should know the difference between the two already. 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. One of the biggest differences, when you’re weighing white gold or silver, is clearly the price. 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? So, if budget is a concern, silver can be great option. This is a good combination for those with allergy to normal, plated jewelry items. This may seem alarming as white gold comes with a fancy price. Generally, the metals used in white gold are nickel, silver or palladium and the properties of white gold varies on which alloy is used. 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. Sterling silver is the most affordable white metal on the market today. Without the reapplication, your jewelry will “yellow”. The Difference Between Gold-Filled and Solid Gold Gold is more durable than sterling silver. Because of that, the copper alloy is added to make it stronger and more durable. [CDATA[> White gold is resistant to corrosion because it is commonly rhodium-plated. It is hundreds of times thicker and more durable than silver plated. If you want silver minus the tarnish, then check Argentium silver engagement rings which carry a similar luster for much longer time. Coverage is offered by a member insurer of the Jewelers Mutual Group, either Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, SI (a stock insurer) or JM Specialty Insurance Company. 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. That k means the karats of pure gold, and we know that white gold is mixed with an alloy, which is why it will never reach the full 24 karats. 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. But that’s okay. I only use 1/10 high quality silver filled. Rhodium might be expensive (more expensive than gold), brittle … Sterling silver is less durable but more affordable. Cleaning white gold may be a bit more difficult but still very much doable. //-->