White gold is the same as yellow gold as far as value is concerned. Equal weights of either white or yellow gold will be the same carat. White gold that is used for making jewelry is mixed with other white metals such as silver or palladium, whereas yellow is mixed with copper or zinc.  This is why both types of gold are a different color. White gold in its natural state is actually a type of gray color, however in order to make it look whiter is it plated with a substance called rhodium, which is closely related to platinum.

Traditionally, yellow gold has been used for wedding bands for many years, however more recently white gold has been gaining in popularity amongst both men and women. White gold wedding rings are usually either 14 or 18 carat, and while that is softer than 9-carat gold it holds up to everyday use quite well. These rings will need to be re-plated with rhodium approximately every eighteen months; this is a simple process that can be done by local jewelers.

Common ways to buy wedding rings are in matching sets.  Sometimes a wedding and engagement ring will be bought, as a set yet, other times the two wedding bands will be bought separately, yet will look like a set. Generally, you will choose the same type of gold for both the man and woman’s bands, and for the woman’s engagement and wedding ring. Many wedding rings are simply a plain band without any stones set in them; others have small precious stones around the band. It is fairly common for partners to have something inscribed either inside or on the outside of their wedding bands.

Many white gold wedding bands are part of a set and combine with an engagement ring. The benefit of buying a wedding and engagement ring set is that if you want to have some stones or patterns set in the wedding ring, you can choose one that matches and actually enhances your engagement ring. These sets are made so that both rings complement each other and fit perfectly together.