Articles · Updated
White gold is one of the most popular choices for engagement rings, wedding bands and everyday jewellery – so many of us have a piece or two we no longer wear. Is it worth as much as yellow gold? Is it white gold at all, or silver? Here’s how to tell, what decides its value and how to find out what yours is worth.
Is white gold worth as much as yellow gold?
Yes – when the carat and weight are the same. White gold isn’t a different metal: it’s pure gold mixed with white metals such as palladium or nickel. An 18ct white gold ring contains 75% gold, exactly like an 18ct yellow gold ring, so the gold in it is worth the same.
Most white gold is plated with rhodium for a bright finish, and that plating wears thin over the years, leaving a yellowish tone. That’s purely cosmetic and doesn’t change the gold content, so there’s no need to re-plate a piece before a valuation. We explain why it happens in understanding different gold colours.
White gold, silver or platinum? Follow the mark
White gold, silver, platinum and even stainless steel can look almost identical, especially when freshly polished. The mark – usually inside a ring or near a clasp – tells them apart. Find the number on your piece and follow the path:
What does the mark say?
375 · 585 · 750White gold – 9ct, 14ct or 18ct
925 · 958Silver – sterling or Britannia (silver can be rhodium-plated too)
950 · PTPlatinum – a heavier, naturally white precious metal; ask the expert how it’s handled
STEEL · 316LStainless steel – durable, but not a precious metal
No markCould still be white gold – marks wear away, and items under 1 g don’t need one. A test will tell.
For a full explanation of these numbers, see understanding gold and silver terminology. And if your “white gold” turns out to be silver, that’s worth knowing too – read silver is more valuable than you think.
What decides the value of white gold
Three things, exactly as with yellow gold: the purity (carat), the weight of the gold and the current gold market price. Colour, scratches and worn plating don’t come into it. In the UK, much white gold jewellery is 9ct – so the carat makes a real difference to how much gold a piece holds.
Example: one drawer, three pieces
18ct wedding band · 4 g3.00 g gold
9ct chain · 6 g2.25 g gold
9ct earrings · 2 g0.75 g gold
12 g of jewellery6.00 g of pure gold
Illustrative weights only. Your own items’ weight and purity are only known once they’re weighed and tested.
The example shows why total weight alone doesn’t tell you much: the 6 g chain holds less gold than the 4 g ring because it’s 9ct rather than 18ct.
Diamonds and stones in white gold
White gold is a favourite setting for diamonds because it makes them look brighter. At a valuation, only the precious metal is valued – stones aren’t included in the offer. If you allow it, the stones can be removed before weighing so you can take them home. If you’d rather leave them in place, their approximate weight is deducted before the offer is calculated.
Find out what your white gold is worth
Gold Arthur visits local stops across the UK. Your free, private valuation takes around 15 minutes. Your white gold is tested and weighed in front of you, and the expert explains the purity, the weight and how any offer relates to the current gold market price.
You decide what happens next – sell everything, sell some pieces or take it all home. There is no obligation to sell. If you do sell, you’re paid by bank transfer no later than the fifth banking day, never in cash.
Frequently asked questions
Is white gold worth anything if the plating has worn off?
Yes. Worn rhodium only changes the colour. The gold content depends on weight and purity, which stay the same.
Should I get white gold re-plated before selling?
There’s no need. Re-plating improves the look but doesn’t add any gold, so it only makes sense if you plan to keep wearing the piece.
How can I tell white gold from platinum?
Check the mark: white gold shows a gold fineness such as 375, 585 or 750, while platinum is often marked 950 or PT. Platinum also feels noticeably heavier. A test confirms it.
Is 9ct white gold real gold?
Yes. 9ct white gold is 37.5% pure gold and is a common UK standard, marked 375. It holds less gold than 18ct, but it is genuine gold.
Do I have to sell if I bring my white gold in?
No. The valuation is free, and you’re welcome to take everything home and think it over.
