Silver White Yellow Gold Foiled Murano Glass What is Difference

We are often asked what is the difference between silver and white gold foiled Murano glass beads, and why we stock both.

Silver foil gives a very bright/ harsh effect to the finished bead. White gold is a alloy of yellow gold combined with small amounts of white metals such as nickel, palladium, platinum, and manganese which result in a softer look.

Of course being predominantly gold, the cost of white gold beads are higher than silver and similar to yellow gold.

Putting cost aside, beadmakers tend to favour gold over silver since it is easier to work; Gold has a higher melting point than silver so is more resistant to burning at the high melting temperature of glass. The 'low' temperature soda-lime glass supplied by Effetre has a melting temperature only slightly less than silver which can be easily spoiled.
Melting temperatures: Silver - 962°C, Gold - 1069°C, Effetre glass - 945°C

Shown below are identical beads using the three foils overlaid with clear glass.
Silver on left, white gold centre with yellow gold on the right. See our range of Murano glass beads here