Frequently Asked Questions
18ct Gold Questions
What is 18ct gold?
Eighteen carat yellow gold is a metal alloy which contains:
75% gold, 16% copper and 9% silver.
Eighteen carat rose gold is a metal alloy which contains:
75% gold, 20.5% copper and 4.5% silver.
Eighteen carat white gold is a metal alloy which contains:
75% gold, 3% palladium and 22% silver.
Which
is harder - 18ct or 9ct gold?
9ct gold is slightly harder than 18ct gold because there is less
pure gold, which is soft, in the mix. This is really only a point
to consider if the wedding band will be worn by somebody who has
a particularly manual job and the advantage of 18ct gold is its
rich yellow colour due to being 75% pure gold.
Can I put an 18ct
gold wedding ring next to a 9ct gold engagement ring?
You can, but there will be a noticeable difference in colour because
the 18ct gold will be more yellow. Also, over a number of years,
the harder 9ct gold may wear away at the softer 18ct gold ring.
What other colours
does 18ct gold come in, apart from yellow?
18ct gold is also available in rose gold, which is a metal alloy
containing 75% pure gold, 4.5% silver and 20.5% copper to give it
a red tinge and white gold, which is a metal alloy containing 75%
pure gold, 3% palladium and 22% silver to give it a creamy colour.
Is it true that
white gold tarnishes?
White gold doesn't tarnish. Some white gold rings are plated with
rhodium to make them that little bit whiter. The rhodium plating
wears off over time and causes the white gold to return to its natural
creamy colour. When ordering a white gold wedding ring you will
have the choice to order it with or without rhodium. To find out
more about rhodium plate click on FAQ rhodium.