Guide
Choosing Your Metal
Yellow Gold, White Gold, and Platinum — a practical guide
Yellow Gold — Warmth and Heritage
18-karat yellow gold (75% pure gold alloyed with silver and copper) is the traditional metal of jewellery-making, prized for its warmth, workability, and the way it complements warmer skin tones. It is slightly softer than platinum but extremely durable in daily wear. Yellow gold enhances the warmth of fancy coloured diamonds and pairs beautifully with coloured gemstones.
White Gold — Versatility and Modernity
White gold is yellow gold alloyed with palladium or nickel and plated with rhodium to achieve a bright, silver-white surface. The rhodium plating will wear over time (typically 12–18 months in daily wear) and can be re-applied at any ReAurra boutique at no cost. White gold maximises the apparent whiteness of near-colourless diamonds and suits cooler skin tones particularly well.
Platinum — Permanence and Purity
Platinum is 95% pure, naturally white, and never requires plating. Its density (40% heavier than 18k gold) gives ReAurra pieces set in platinum a distinct, satisfying weight. Platinum does not lose metal when scratched — it displaces rather than removes material — meaning a platinum piece will retain its weight indefinitely. It is the preferred metal for engagement rings and high-jewellery pieces where longevity is paramount.
Rose Gold — Contemporary Romance
The pink tone of rose gold is achieved by increasing the copper content of the gold alloy. 18-karat rose gold (75% gold, 22.5% copper, 2.5% silver) produces a warm blush that flatters most skin tones. Rose gold is currently exclusive to our Threads and Icon collections.
Our Recommendation
If longevity is paramount, choose platinum. If warmth and affordability matter, choose 18-karat yellow gold. For the maximum visual contrast with a white diamond, choose white gold or platinum. When in doubt, visit a boutique — holding a ring in different metals against your hand will tell you more in thirty seconds than any written guide.
Ready to Choose?