When choosing a piece of jewelry for yourself or a loved one, there are many factors to consider. One of which is the type of precious metal that is used.

Gold jewelry and silver jewelry are both great choices, but they do have different features and aesthetics. Many people have a preference for either gold or silver, and here are some of the key reasons why.

Appearance

Gold jewelry is yellow in appearance, and silver jewelry has more of grey tone. Yet there is more to the appearances of these pieces than the basic colors.

Gold comes in several varieties, and white gold and rose gold are very different from yellow gold. What gives gold these different colors depends on the metals used in the alloy mixture. White gold is alloyed with nickel, manganese or palladium to give it a silver hue. Rose gold is alloyed with copper to make it pink.

Sterling silver can also be dark grey when oxidized.

Of course, you don’t have to pick just one color as jewelry may be two-toned, and tri-colored.

Cost

For many people costs is a big consideration for their choice. Gold jewelry is generally more expensive than sterling silver.

An ounce of gold costs over seventy-five times more than an equal weight of silver. This is mainly due to the rarity. The majority of gold gets made into jewelry. The majority of silver is used industrially. Gold is also heavy and dense – about twice as dense as silver - which adds to its value.

Durability

When taken care of correctly, any piece of jewelry can last you a lifetime. Gold mixed with alloys are more durable than sterling silver. Pure gold doesn’t tarnish.

Both gold and silver are known as a noble metal. This means they don’t tarnish easily, corrode, rust, or disintegrate in harsh conditions.

Gold can be worn down by daily wear, but with proper care, it lasts lifetimes. Sterling silver can tend to tarnish over time. Both gold and silver can cause allergic reactions because of the alloy mixtures.

The standard measurement of gold is the karat, which is divided into 24 parts. Pure gold is 24 Karats, meaning 24 out of 24 parts are gold. 14 Karat gold is 14 parts gold and 10 parts other alloys, while 10 Karat gold is more durable, with 10 parts gold to 14 parts other alloys.

Sterling silver is 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent metal alloy. This metal alloy makes sterling silver durable enough for daily wear.

Maintenance

Gold is one of the least reactive chemical elements. Pure gold does not combine easily with oxygen so it stays shiny, it does not rust or tarnish. However, it is rare to find a piece of jewelry that contains only the pure gold element.

Pure gold is too soft to be used, so it is combined with other metal alloys to increase its strength. It is these other base metals alloyed with gold that actually reacts to oxygen, sulfur and moisture that eventually cause them to tarnish.

As beautiful as silver is, many women have avoided it at some point for the reason that it can tarnish. But with proper care, most jewelry can last a long time.

What is your Personal Preference?

Both gold and silver jewelry can be used for either costume jewelry or fine jewelry and they both have their own unique characters.

It really comes down to a personal preference for each person choosing their jewelry. Both types of precious metals can make wonderful pieces that can bring a lifetime of joy to the wearer.

Don Roberto Jewelers has array of gold and silver jewelry. Visit us at our online jewelry boutique or in-store today to see our latest designs.