White gold vs. rose gold is a common debate in the jewelry world. Many prefer white gold’s classic look for pieces like engagement rings but enjoy rose gold’s romantic tones for fashion pieces. If you have rose or white gold pieces in your collection that you don’t wear, you may wonder whether you can sell them to get a little extra money.
Understanding the differences between white gold vs. rose gold is essential if you’re considering selling gold jewelry. The amount of gold contained in each piece and its weight in troy ounces will determine how much money you can get for your items.
AU Precious Metals offers non-invasive testing to determine the value of your pieces and will make you a fair offer so you get the highest return on your items.
What is White Gold?
White gold is a popular metal alloy created by blending different amounts of precious metals to get the final product. It contains pure gold with other white metals, such as palladium, silver, and nickel, giving it a silvery hue.
White gold typically contains between 58.30% and 75% gold, depending on the karat. This composition makes it scratch-resistant and durable, ideal for fine jewelry, such as engagement and wedding rings, necklaces, and bracelets.
What is Rose Gold?
Rose gold is a precious metal alloy made from pure gold, silver, and copper. This unique blend gives it a characteristic pinkish-red hue, distinguishing it from traditional yellow and white gold. Typically, rose gold contains between 58.30% to 75% gold and about 22.2% copper.
In jewelry, rose gold is appreciated not only for its captivating aesthetic but also for its durability. It is prized for crafting various items, from delicate rings to statement necklaces. Its warm undertones complement vintage and contemporary designs, offering a harmonious blend of tradition, beauty, and resilience.
How Do White and Rose Gold Differ From Yellow Gold?
In its purest form, gold is a soft, yellow metal renowned since ancient times. While it is the primary metal in many jewelry pieces, pure gold is too soft and malleable for everyday wear. So, many jewelry items are made from gold alloys, like white gold and rose gold.
Gold karats (K) denote the purity of the metal, indicating how much of the content is pure gold relative to other metals in an alloy. 24K gold indicates pure gold, while alloyed pieces such as white and rose gold are often referred to as 14K and 18K.
Understanding karats is vital when assessing the value and authenticity of jewelry, especially when considering selling your pieces. The following table shows some common yellow, white, and rose gold alloy percentages in fine jewelry making.
| Gold Type | Caratage | Gold (Au) | Silver (Ag) | Copper (Cu) | Zinc (Zn) | Palladium (Pd) |
| Yellow Gold | 14K | 58.30% | 30% | 11.70% | – | – |
| Yellow Gold | 18K | 75% | 15% | 10% | – | – |
| White Gold | 14K | 58.30% | 32.20% | – | – | 9.50% |
| White Gold | 18K | 75% | – | – | – | 25% (or Pt) |
| Rose Gold | 14K | 58.30% | 9.2% | 32.5% | – | – |
| Rose Gold | 18K | 75% | 9.2% | 22.2% | – | – |
Many people invest in gold bullion bars to diversify their portfolios and grow their wealth. This differs from white and rose gold, which are typically only used in making jewelry or artistic pieces.
Gold is also used in numismatic coins, valued for their metal content and unique rarity, design, and historical relevance.
How Much Is White Gold vs. Rose Gold Worth?
White gold and rose gold values primarily depend on their gold content, current market rates, and any additional metals in the alloy. It also varies based on the weight of these metals in troy ounces, which is the standard measurement used to determine the value of precious metals.
Here are two examples of how much a white gold vs. rose gold piece may be worth:
Example: 18K White Gold Engagement Ring
You have an 18K white gold engagement ring you’d like to sell. You bring it to your local precious metals dealer, who performs an assessment and determines that the ring weighs 5 grams and is made from 75% gold and 25% palladium.
This means your ring would have about 3.75 grams of gold and 1.25 grams of palladium. The dealer converts these grams to troy ounces to determine the market value. Since there are roughly 31.1035 grams in a troy ounce, this means your ring has .1206 troy ounces of gold and .0402 troy ounces of palladium.
Based on current market prices, with gold at $1,926.55 per troy ounce and palladium at $1,217.49, the gold in the ring is valued at approximately $232.34, and the palladium at about $48.94. This brings the total metal value of your engagement ring to roughly $281.28.
However, factors like craftsmanship, design, brand, and gemstones in the ring can influence its buy-back value.
Example: 14K Rose Gold Bracelet
You want to sell a 14K rose gold bracelet for cash. Your precious metals buyer determines the piece weighs 2 grams and contains 58.30% gold.
This equals 1.166 grams of gold or .0375 troy ounces of gold.
Based on current spot prices, the gold in this bracelet would be worth around $72.25.
How Do Precious Metal Dealers Determine the Value of White Gold and Rose Gold Items?
Determining the value of white gold and rose gold items is a multifaceted process that involves several key steps. Precious metal dealers use a combination of technical evaluation, market assessment, and expert judgment to arrive at a fair value for your items.
Determining Purity
The dealer’s first step is to identify the purity of the gold, usually represented in karats (K). The karat number, often marked on the item, indicates how much gold is in the alloy relative to other metals.
At AU Precious Metals, we use in-house X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) to determine the purity of your white gold and rose gold jewelry. XRF assaying uses low-wavelength X-ray beams to interact with the atoms in the metal.
When the X-ray beam hits the jewelry, it ejects inner-shell electrons, causing higher-energy electrons to fill the lower-energy vacancy. This transition releases a characteristic fluorescence, allowing our analysts to identify the elements present and their concentrations.
Unlike traditional fire assaying, which requires melting a portion of the sample, XRF is non-destructive. This means we can provide an accurate quote for your jewelry without reducing its intrinsic value.
Weighing the Jewelry
Once a precious metal dealer has determined the purity of the jewelry, the next step in the valuation process is weighing the items. This process needs to be precise, as even minor variations in weight can impact the item’s value.
Dealers typically weigh gold in troy ounces, a unit specifically used for precious metals, where one troy ounce equals approximately 31.1 grams.
Comparing With the Market Price of Gold
After determining the purity and weight of the jewelry, the next step is to compare these figures with the current market price of gold, which fluctuates daily. Reputable dealers closely monitor this rate to offer a fair valuation.
Understanding the market price enables you to gauge whether you’re getting a reasonable offer and serves as a negotiation baseline.
Tips for Selling White or Rose Gold Jewelry
Selling your white or rose gold jewelry can be an excellent way to secure quick cash, especially if you approach the transaction with savvy know-how. Precious metal dealers can offer you a fair value for your jewelry, but it’s essential to be prepared to get the best deal. The following are some tips for selling your white and rose gold jewelry collection:
Know Your Gold’s Purity
Gold jewelry often has markings that indicate its purity. For instance, 14K means it’s 14 parts gold and 10 parts alloy. The purer the gold, the higher the value.
Research Current Gold Prices
Gold prices fluctuate daily. By staying updated on current market prices, you can better gauge the offers made by dealers. Apps like Gold Price Live and the Trade Economics app track gold prices in real-time. Some apps even allow you to set up notifications for when gold reaches a certain price point.
Get an Appraisal
Before selling, consider getting your jewelry appraised by an independent professional. While a fee may be involved, it will provide you with a benchmark when negotiating with dealers.
Ensure the appraiser is certified by institutions like the Appraisers Association of America and the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. This ensures they have the qualifications necessary to provide an accurate appraisal. They’ll also provide you with a certificate detailing each piece’s value.
Photograph Your Collection
Good quality photographs can be beneficial, especially if you’re considering multiple buyers or dealers. It provides a record of your items and helps with potential online inquiries. Ensure you use ample light and a white background and take photos from multiple angles.
Separate by Karat
Separate your jewelry by its karat weight. This will make it easier for dealers to weigh and value your items. Look for tiny markings on the clasp or the inner band of rings that indicate the karat weight.
If possible, weigh each group of similar karat jewelry. This will give you an idea of how much gold you have in each category, enabling you to estimate its value based on current gold prices.
Consider Mail In Selling Options
If you need to sell your collection quickly, traveling to a precious metals dealership may not be possible. Look for a reputable dealer with a transparent mail-in program. AU Precious Metals offers a simple 3-step mail in process to our Rochester location.
Print out the label, ship your items, and we’ll use our X-ray assaying technology to determine the purity and provide you with a quote. If you accept the offer, you’ll receive payment via cash, check, wire transfer, or bullion.
Sell Your White and Rose Gold Pieces at AU Precious Metals
If you’re interested in selling your unwanted white gold and rose gold jewelry for cash, AU Precious Metals can ensure you get a fair market price for your collection. Our state-of-the-art assaying technology and convenient mail in service can provide you with a fast quote and faster payments.
Contact us to find out more about selling white gold vs. rose gold and how you can earn cash selling your jewelry.