Metals & Alloys · common
White Gold
White gold is a pale gold alloy made with white metals and often rhodium plated. It is common in rings, watches, necklaces, bracelets, and jewelry settings.
Also known as: White gold alloy, Rhodium plated gold, White gold ring, 14K white gold, 18K white gold.
White Gold properties at a glance
| Type | Metals & Alloys |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | Gold alloy with white metals; karat varies |
| Mohs hardness | 3 |
| Luster | metallic |
| Streak | White metallic |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Ductile to uneven |
| Specific gravity | 14 |
| Transparency | opaque |
| Common colors | White silver, Pale gold, Silver, Warm gray |
| Rarity | common |
Geology & background
White gold is manufactured by alloying gold with metals such as palladium, nickel, silver, or zinc, then often applying a bright rhodium plating.
White gold became popular as a platinum-like jewelry metal, especially for rings and diamond settings.
How to identify White Gold
- Look for a bright white-silver jewelry metal.
- White gold can resemble platinum, sterling silver, or stainless steel by sight alone.
- Worn edges may look slightly warmer or yellower if rhodium plating has thinned.
- Hallmarks and karat marks are important for verification.
Full White Gold identification guide: checklist, home tests and look-alikes →
White Gold vs similar stones
Not sure it isn't something else? Side-by-side comparisons with the stones most often confused with White Gold.
Where White Gold is found
White Gold is manufactured, refined, recycled, or traded worldwide; verify grade, purity, and origin from markings, documentation, or provenance when available.
How much is White Gold worth?
| Entry-level specimen | $20 |
|---|---|
| Typical collector specimen | $400 |
| Premium specimen | $8000+ |
Value depends mostly on the object, purity or alloy grade, weight, brand, condition, markings, and whether it is jewelry, hardware, a coin, a tool, or a raw material sample.
Common uses
- Rings
- Watches
- Necklaces
- Bracelets
- Jewelry settings
Interesting facts
- White gold is not naturally pure white; many pieces are rhodium plated for brightness.
- Worn plating may reveal a slightly warmer gold tone underneath.
- Karat markings such as 10K, 14K, 18K, 585, or 750 help verify gold content.
Care & safety
White Gold can scratch, dent, tarnish, corrode, or lose its surface finish depending on the alloy, coating, and use wear.
Check sharp edges. Manufactured metal objects can have sharp edges, burrs, broken points, or worn plating; handle damaged pieces carefully.
White Gold FAQ
What is White Gold?
White gold is a pale gold alloy made with white metals and often rhodium plated. It is common in rings, watches, necklaces, bracelets, and jewelry settings.
How much is White Gold worth?
Entry-level White Gold specimens sell for around $20, a typical collector specimen for about $400, and premium pieces for $8000 or more. Value depends mostly on the object, purity or alloy grade, weight, brand, condition, markings, and whether it is jewelry, hardware, a coin, a tool, or a raw material sample.
How hard is White Gold?
White Gold has a Mohs hardness of 3. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not.
What is White Gold used for?
White Gold is used for rings, watches, necklaces, bracelets, and jewelry settings.
