14k White Gold Over Sterling Silver
When shopping for jewelry, you may come across terms like “14k white gold over sterling silver.” This combination of two completely different metals offers both luxury and affordability at the same time. But it can be a bit confusing for some people if they are not familiar with this jewelry terminology.
In this article we’ll answer questions related to 14k white gold over sterling silver and how it can be the perfect choice for you.
What is 14k White Gold Over Sterling Silver
14k white gold over sterling silver means that 14k white gold is plated over a base of sterling silver. So you can think it of like the given picture.
Sterling silver is a popular silver alloy used in jewelry making. It consist of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper or nickel. This addition of copper is to increase the strength of pure silver metal which is malleable in nature. The overall appearance is whitish lustrous, shinier and durable metal.
On the second way, white gold is another alloy of gold metal which is made by mixing pure gold with either nickel or platinum. These added metals can be changed as per budget. The exact percentages of the added metal depends on what purity level is needed. Purity of gold is always measured in “karats”. 24k or 24 karats stands for 100% pure gold and as this karat number decreases, the purity level also decreases.
14k white gold means that 14 out of 24 parts consist of pure gold and the remaining 10 parts are nickel or platinum. In this way, one can easily determine that 14k white gold has only 58.5% pure gold and 37.5% nickel or platinum. (By dividing 14 with 24 resulting 58.5%).
White gold plating can also be done in other purity levels like 9k, 18k or 20k but here we will only discuss 14k.
Why Choose 14k White gold over Sterling Silver
The reason behind plating 14 white gold over sterling silver is the tarnishing property of sterling silver. Tarnishing is a chemical process in which silver reacts with atmospheric chemicals and making a black layer of chemicals over its surface. This makes it appear black and duller in appearance. Yes, this layer can be removed but involves use of tarnishing removal chemicals leading to extra maintenance and cost requirement.
This tarnishing effect can de dealt with, if sterling silver is plated with any other metal that does not tarnish. That’s why some people choose to plate their sterling silver with either yellow gold or white gold. A thin layer of gold is applied over base of sterling silver so silver can never come into contact with nature’s chemicals.
This gold plating will serve dual purpose for the user. Firstly it will save the base of sterling silver from tarnishing and secondly give it the premium look of white gold.
Pros of Plating 14k White Gold over Sterling Silver
There are many pros white gold over sterling silver has to offer. Most important of those are mentioned here.
1. Premium Gold Look
The 14k white gold plating gives the jewelry a high-end, luxurious look. It offers the same brilliant white finish and shine as solid white gold jewelry, making it an attractive option for those seeking elegance without the high price tag. And no one is ever going to realize whether your jewelry is a plated one or solid gold until plating wears off.
2. Resistant to Tarnishing
Gold plating completely eliminates the risk of tarnishing unless it wears off. The only thing you need to cater is to make sure your 14k white gold plating is not made of nickel. It is one of those metals which can tarnish and also cause non-hypoallergenic properties in metal.
Platinum or Zinc can be a great replacement of Nickel for white gold.
3. Affordability
Sterling silver is an affordable metal on its own costing around $40 for a ring. And if you want to put white gold on it, it will not increase the price by too much. That’s why it is always a better option to choose 14k white gold over sterling silver which will not only be affordable but also give a luxurious touch of gold.
If you go with higher purity levels of white gold like 18k, price can go up by a little. So, it is still affordable.
4. Hypoallergenic Properties
Sterling silver on its own can be reactant leading to turning your skin green or black. This normally happens when copper from sterling silver reacts with skin oils or sweat and forms green colored compounds. When it is plated with 14k white gold, which is a hypoallergenic metal on its own, it does not react with skin. This way you can easily wear your white gold plated sterling silver jewelry.
This makes 14k white gold over sterling silver an excellent choice.
Cons of Plating 14k White Gold over Sterling Silver
Just like pros, it also has cons as well.
1. Re-Plating Cost
Re-plating is one of the biggest concern of plated jewelries. After sometime of using jewelry, gold plating will wear off and you will have to re-plated it again. It is very important to note that whether you take care of your jewelry like a pro, it’s plating will still wear off some day. And this will cost some money as per the price of white gold. A regular white gold plating which is well take care of can last for about 12 to 18 months depending on the thickness of the plating.
And if you don’t take care of it properly, it will only last from about 3 to 4 months.
2. Requirement of Extra Care
Plated jewelries require extra care to be taken as any minor scratches or damages can lead to plating wearing off. This will expose the base metal to atmospheric chemicals and tarnishing will start to happen. You as a buyer of 14k white gold over sterling silver jewelry will have to properly store your jewelry in specific storage boxes. Apart from this, also save it from falling or contact with water.
3. Investment Value
While 14k white gold over sterling silver is more affordable than solid gold, it will not have the same investment value. When you will go to sell it, it will not be valued at what you paid for it. The piece will primarily be valued for its design and craftsmanship rather than the metal content.
Should You Buy 14k White Gold over Sterling Silver?
If you’re looking for an elegant, affordable alternative to solid white gold jewelry, 14k white gold over sterling silver might be an excellent choice. Features like whitish luxurious appearance without a high price tag, makes it a popular option for those who want to enjoy the look of white gold on a budget. However, it is to be noted here this is gold plating, not solid gold, so you will have to take proper care and maintenance of it.
On contrary, if you are one who does not prefer plated jewelries and wants jewelry made of solid material, then 14k white gold over sterling silver is not for you. You should either look for solid white gold jewelry or go for platinum based jewelry.
Conclusion
14k white gold over sterling silver is a great choice to look for. It all comes down to a person’s personal preference whether they like the properties offered by the metal such as affordability, non-tarnishing and hypoallergenic nature. Or they want jewelry made of solid metal rather than plated one so they can be sure that any damages or scratches will not effect their jewelry.