Is white gold an investment?

Is white gold an investment?

ByThomas Goldfreburg
7 min read

White gold is an alloy made from gold and other metals: palladium or platinum and needs rhodium plating, so it is more expensive than yellow gold; nevertheless, it is often preferred despite its higher price point and is not just a fashion statement but a smart investment choice. Both white gold and yellow gold hold value well if they are of the same karat, and white gold retains its value over time while its resale value is another compelling reason for savvy investors.

Expert behind this article

  • Thomas Goldfreburg

    Thomas Goldfreburg
    Thomas Goldfreburg is a gold investment advisor, author and founder of Goldfreed. Thomas's expertise is built on an academic foundation of a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Stanford University and complemented by market experience. Thomas specializes in gold IRA, ETF, 401k, and physical gold investments.

Is white gold an investment?

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White gold retains intrinsic value as a precious metal, so it converts into cash when necessary, and gold investment provides quick liquidity during financial difficulties with minimal paperwork and swift evaluation. Gold jewellery is an investment that holds value over time, yet white gold is coated with rhodium for extra shine and durability, and it requires occasional re-plating with rhodium, a cost that slightly tempers its resale return. Because the gold price fluctuates due to the intricate nature of global gold markets and alloy costs, any calculation must be based on weight and current gold rate, and the decision depends on personal preference, maintenance considerations, and market trends.

White gold jewelry can appreciate over time, yet its price is subject to the similar market changes as any metal commodity. I researched light-colored precious metal from an analytical view and found that its worth is intrinsically attached to the precious metal content. I analyzed its structure as a mixture of gold and palladium, and I recognized its durability. Although white gold jewelry can hold value, it should not be deemed a main financial medium. My first attempt into white gold was not a deliberate venture, I was attracted to its neat silvery gloss that looked contemporary than colored precious metal. I just loved wearing it and recognized the manner it complemented my clothing, so the emotional worth I attached to the item far outstripped any fiscal benefit. This understanding consolidated my view: buy it for adornment, not for speculation.

Thomas Goldfreburg
Thomas Goldfreburg
Investor at Goldfreed

Is white gold a good investment?

White gold contains less pure gold than yellow gold due to alloying, meaning it's not a strong investment choice. White gold isn't as attractive for reselling, because white gold loses its shine over time and must be recoated. 14k is 58.5% gold and 41.5% base metals, while 18k gold contains 75% gold, therefore 18k white gold requires less maintenance than 14k white gold and, unlike lower alloys, 18k white gold does not need to be rhodium-plated. Even so, gold is a stable asset and gold prices are near record highs, yet the buyer still pays for repeated rhodium plating, so platinum is more cost-effective in the long run because it does not need recoating. Platinum is rarer than gold and platinum polishing results in minimal loss of metal over time, so platinum is more cost-effective in the long run. A collection built only on white gold will incur regular upkeep costs, viewed strictly as bullion, gold serves as collateral for a gold loan, but white gold mixed with nickel or palladium represents first a fashion choice, not a primary investment.

Firstly, I bought white gold because of desire rather than strategy, yet I noticed that the selling amount was less than the first buying cost. I focused on noble-metal ingots and exchange-traded finances connected instantly to the element's spot cost, but its functioning frequently deviated from that of noble metal. I discovered that the white-gold market is less liquid and uncertain, and the considerable profit for workmanship and retail margins came evident. Furthermore, I recognized that my venture was not in the alloy itself, instead, it was mainly in decoration, because noble-metal's cost is extremely determined by industrial demand, especially from the automotive field. This led me to a simple conclusion: white gold is a poor store of value.

Thomas Goldfreburg
Thomas Goldfreburg
Investor at Goldfreed

Is white gold a bad investment?

Judged purely as a financial asset, the answer tilts toward yes. 14 karat white gold is less precious than platinum because of lower purity, and 14 karat white gold has lower purity than 18 karat white gold, so the melt value of the alloy is low. White gold is not as attractive for reselling, because most buyers discount the piece for the cost of the tiny gold content and for the eventual rhodium replanting needed every two to three years. Rhodium plating gives a bright, shiny finish, yet rhodium plating wears off over time, therefore white gold loses its shine when rhodium plating fades, and rhodium plating must be reapplied to keep white gold looking best. Each service call erodes resale margins, while rose gold does not require replating. On top of these upkeep costs, white gold is not hypoallergenic due to its nickel content, narrowing the pool of future buyers. Gold jewelry value depends on weight and purity and craftsmanship, but white gold's craftsmanship is tied to a surface layer, not to the underlying metal, so the piece often returns only a fraction of the original retail price. In short, white gold looks transcends trends, yet its upkeep and alloy mix make it a weaker store of value than bullion or platinum.

I remember my first attempt into noble metal investment when industry experts referred to it as "light precious metal" and its "colorless precious metal" nickname was misinforming. I allocated a part of my portfolio to platinum exchange traded funds because the alloy's cost presented a constant upward flight, and I was confident that its highly-developed technologies and scarcity would protect it from the volatility I had experienced with other products. The constant upward trajectory gave me confidence in its long term prospect, yet its performance often diverged from that of conventional precious metal. My view changed dramatically during a time of worldwide uncertainty when the automotive industry, being a principal user of platinum for catalytic converters, experienced a substantial downswing. I watched with despair as the price of my asset dropped, and this experience was a lesson in the industry-specific factors that determine noble metal price.

Thomas Goldfreburg
Thomas Goldfreburg
Investor at Goldfreed

Which is better: investment white gold or yellow gold?

Yellow gold tends to hold its value best over time, and it is also the easiest to resell due to its timeless attractiveness. White gold offers a luxurious look similar to platinum, while it is less worthwhile than yellow gold. White gold requires rhodium plating that must be renewed every few years. Both metals contain the same intrinsic gold value when the karat is identical, yet white gold usually costs 10-15 % more per gram at retail because it needs extra alloy metals: palladium or platinum and the added labor of plating. Over decades, the higher upfront cost and recurring maintenance make yellow gold provide better long-term value for budget-conscious buyers, even though white gold is slightly more scratch-resistant and durable for daily wear.

Deciding between the two colors usually comes down to personal preference and skin sensitivity: yellow gold is less likely to cause reactions and combines traditional warmth with minimal maintenance, whereas white gold offers a sleek, modern appearance that still looks classic. Because the price of any gold jewelry is mainly based on its gold content rather than its color, the purity stamped on the tag influences resale value more than the alloy mixture. Therefore, if the goal is to preserve purchasing power, choose the higher-karat yellow item, if the goal is everyday elegance with a contemporary edge, white gold remains enchanting and treasured, yet expect to pay a little more at purchase and again when the rhodium layer dulls.

I view that the choice between white and yellow gold as a venture is more about its underlying structure and business sense impression. Yellow gold carries a more universally accepted value and offers a trustworthy worth across societies, giving me better confidence in its long-term performance. Gold jewelry will invariably hold the value of its noble metal, whereas lighter alloys are intrinsically connected to the cost of the additional metals used in its mixture. I prefer investments with a long-term history record, and gold provides exactly that history.

Thomas Goldfreburg
Thomas Goldfreburg
Investor at Goldfreed