Why are certain gems only set in white gold?

[Molon Labe]

Hi,
I've recently been looking at blue stones - specifically sapphire and tanzanite. In almost any store I've been to, nearly all of these stones are set in white gold. Lighter colored blues (topaz, aquamarine, ect) are available in yellow frequently. Am I just an outlier in thinking that yellow gold looks better with darker blue, or is there some reason I'm unaware of?

 

[idola]

I like them in yellow gold too. I've seen a lot of teal sapphires set in it and I love the look.

 

[T L]

I’ve seen those kinds of stones set in yellow metal too. I just think white gold is a more popular metal nowadays. Yellow gold rings used to be very popular in the 80s and 90s.

 

[Molon Labe]

I’ve seen those kinds of stones set in yellow metal too. I just think white gold is a more popular metal nowadays. Yellow gold rings used to be very popular in the 80s and 90s.

That's what I thought at first, that it was just a trend thing. However Emerald and Ruby seem to be available in yellow everywhere. It might just be my location - northeast US - but darker blue stones here seem disproportionately set in white.

EDIT: sorry, forgot to mention I'm looking at earrings, not rings.

 

[Voodoo Child]

It’s a conspiracy to prevent University of Michigan alums from rocking blue/yellow jewelry.

 

[Molon Labe]

It’s a conspiracy to prevent University of Michigan alums from rocking blue/yellow jewelry.

Solved!

 

[ShinyPink]

I'm glad you asked this as I've been wondering too. I have some stones I want to set and I've been Googling jewelry and looking through this forum trying to figure out what metal looks best or that I'm "supposed" to use. I thought emeralds are always in yellow gold, then a seller on IG went and posted a bunch of white gold pieces, totally throwing me off!

I set all my red stones in yellow. I think my blues have all been in white, but I have one that is going in yellow. It's all waaaaaay too much for my brain, which is about to explode.

 

[LD]

You can get any stone in any colour metal. White gold is more in favour at the moment than yellow gold which might be why you're finding things difficult.

EDIT: I know you were looking at Tanzanite earrings. I don't know where you live but TJC (the Jewellery Channel) have a few pairs in yellow gold. https://www.tjc.co.uk/tanzanite_2/jewellery/earrings/?prefn1=metalColor&prefv1=Yellow

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Hi,
I've recently been looking at blue stones - specifically sapphire and tanzanite. In almost any store I've been to, nearly all of these stones are set in white gold. Lighter colored blues (topaz, aquamarine, ect) are available in yellow frequently. Am I just an outlier in thinking that yellow gold looks better with darker blue, or is there some reason I'm unaware of?

It must just be the fashion of the moment
ive never seen an aqua in a store set in yellow gold and my dark blue saphires are in yellow gold

often when you see something in a store its not a problem getting it made in another colour metal

its what you love that matters not what is a current trend

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I’ve seen those kinds of stones set in yellow metal too. I just think white gold is a more popular metal nowadays. Yellow gold rings used to be very popular in the 80s and 90s.

Love the '80's