The age-old question. Which type of jewelry is more valuable, durable, long-lasting, safest, better looking, etc. Ever since gold and silver started being mined by humans during Classical antiquity, each metal has borne a different meaning and value across cultures, generation after generation. Now, even though there are very few kings, queens, and emperors left in the world, gold and silver have not lost their allure and value akin to royalty. People still trade them and bet their life’s savings on them in order to strike it rich. But which one really is better?

Neither. It’s up to whatever is better for you. That depends on a few different factors. 

First up is the quality. Both metals can be fashioned into high-quality jewelry. However, gold is usually the higher quality metal because it is less prone to tarnish than silver is. But polish your silver and it will maintain its quality for a very long time. 

The look is the second factor to consider. You want to look at the metal and consider, which color do I like more, does it go well with my skin tone, does it look good as part of all the different outfits I can put together, does it look good for what the piece is supposed to be, is the metal appropriate to wear to the different events I attend in my day to day life? This is one of the most important things everyone considers when buying jewelry and it should not be disregarded when picking between gold and silver. 

For the health-conscious, the toxicity of the metal is important to consider. Silver can occasionally cause allergic reactions if there has been nickel used in making the piece. Gold often contains cyanide or mercury inside the metal to make the metal solid. Both types of metals can cause health problems for people so it is important to know what would be the least harmful material to purchase. 

Value is the fourth factor that goes into making this decision. Gold and silver jewelry are both some of the most valuable types of jewelry available. Depending on the type and purity of each metal, sometimes one can be more valuable than the other.  For those of you who care about having the most luxurious jewelry, think about this! 

Fifth is the durability of the metal. Silver can tarnish because it is often an alloy of silver and a base metal like copper or nickel, which are sensitive to sulphur. Pure gold does not have this sensitivity which makes it more resistant to tarnish. This is why considering each metal’s durability is important because if you do not have time to consistently polish your jewelry, you won’t want to buy sterling silver. 

Finally, we have to consider the social views of each of these metals. Gold has a higher social standing than silver in people’s imaginations (think gold medal vs. silver medal). If you want jewelry that portrays you as a winner, go with gold. If you do not care, then go with silver. 

After going through all of these considerations, then you can make your pick. Hope this helps and gives you your answer to that question!