Does White Gold Cost More than Yellow Gold?

Posted on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016 in Gold, Informational, Uncategorized.



We often have customers ask us this question, and the truth is while white gold is usually a little more expensive than yellow gold, the price differences aren’t by any means substantial. If you’re interested in creating a jewelry piece that is 14 karat gold, the price point shouldn’t vary too drastically depending on the color of gold. It doesn’t matter if the jewelry is yellow or white, if it’s 14 karat gold, it will have 14 parts actual gold in it and 10 parts alloy. What you’re paying for is the gold, not the other alloys. As a refresher:

  • 24 karat gold is 100% pure gold
  • 18 karat gold is 75% gold
  • 14 karat gold is 58% gold
  • 10 karat gold is 42% gold

Given the same karat weight, there are a couple reasons why white gold may be slightly more expensive than yellow gold:

#1: Demand: Because white gold is currently more in demand than yellow gold, some jewelers and wholesalers may charge more. While this certainly is not the case everywhere (Kloiber Jewelers included), it is something to keep in mind.

#2: Rhodium Plating: Unlike yellow gold, white gold requires rhodium plating to make it more durable and give it that bright white finish it’s known for. Depending on the size of the jewelry piece, rhodium plating can cast an extra $50-$100. It’s important to note that this is not just a one-time expense. You’ll most likely need a fresh rhodium layer put on your jewelry piece every 2-3 years. Rhodium plating tends to wear down, especially if you’re wearing the jewelry piece every day. This additional expense can add up over time, making white gold much more costly than yellow gold.

You may now be thinking, why would anyone ever want to pay more for white gold? Well it all comes down to preference. Many people like to wear white-colored jewelry, and white gold can be a more affordable option compared to other white-metals like platinum. White gold is also more durable than yellow gold. Because yellow gold doesn’t have the added protection of rhodium plating, it is more prone to scratches.