Gold & Platinum: A Friendly Metals Guide

The metal you choose sets the tone of your jewelry and affects how it wears over the years. At Freddy's we work in 14K and 18K gold (yellow, white and rose) and platinum. Here's a simple guide to help you choose.

What "karat" means

Pure gold is 24 karat, but it's too soft for everyday jewelry, so it's mixed with other metals (alloys) for strength and color.

• 14K gold is 14 parts gold out of 24, or about 58.3% gold. It's durable and a great choice for rings worn every day.
• 18K gold is 18 parts out of 24, or 75% gold. It has a richer color and feels a bit more luxurious, but it's slightly softer than 14K.

Don't confuse karat (gold purity) with carat (diamond weight). Same sound, different thing!

Yellow gold

Warm, classic and timeless. Yellow gold flatters many skin tones and makes diamonds with a hint of warmth look right at home. It's having a big moment again in engagement rings.

White gold

White gold is gold alloyed with white metals for a cool, silvery look. Most white gold jewelry is plated with rhodium for an extra-bright white finish. Over time that plating can wear and let a slightly warmer tone show through. A quick re-plating at the jeweler brings it back.

Rose gold

Rose gold gets its blush-pink color from copper in the alloy. It's romantic, vintage-feeling and pretty with both white and warmer diamonds. Its copper content also makes it quite durable.

Platinum

Platinum is a naturally white precious metal, so it doesn't need plating to stay white. It's dense and heavy on the hand, which many people love, and it's naturally hypoallergenic, making it a good option for sensitive skin. Platinum doesn't wear away the way gold can, but it develops a soft, satiny finish called a patina over time. Some people love that look; others have it polished back to a shine. Platinum usually costs more than gold.

How to choose

• Love warm and classic? Yellow gold.
• Love bright and icy? White gold or platinum.
• Love romantic and unique? Rose gold.
• Sensitive skin? Platinum is a great choice; ask us about options.
• Very active hands? 14K gold and platinum are both excellent for everyday wear.

Matching your band

If you're planning an engagement ring and wedding ring, choosing the same metal for both helps them wear evenly over time. Mixing metals can look beautiful too. It's all about your style.

Caring for your metal

Each metal benefits from a little care. See our jewelry care guide for simple tips. And to pair your metal with the right stone, read our diamond shapes guide.

See them side by side

Metals look different in person and against your skin. Stop by our Downtown Miami store and try yellow, white, rose and platinum on your hand.

Quick answers

Is 14K or 18K better for an engagement ring? Both are excellent. 14K is a bit tougher for everyday wear; 18K has a richer color and higher gold content.

Does white gold turn yellow? The rhodium plating can wear over time, letting the natural warm tone of the alloy show. Re-plating restores the bright white.

Is platinum worth it? If you love its weight, natural white color and hypoallergenic quality, many people feel it is. It does cost more than gold.