For the same karat and weight, white gold and yellow gold have almost the same intrinsic gold value.
Price in practice
In jewelry stores, white gold is often slightly more expensive than yellow gold because of the extra alloy metals (like palladium) and the added rhodium plating step used to give it a bright white finish. Yellow gold does not usually need this plating, so production can be a bit cheaper even though the amount of pure gold is identical at, say, 14k or 18k.
Key cost factors
- Karat (purity): 14k vs 18k matters far more to price than white vs yellow; higher karat costs more regardless of color.
- Alloys and finishing: White gold can cost a bit more because palladium/platinum-group alloys and rhodium coating add material and labor costs.
Simple comparison table
Aspect| White gold cost| Yellow gold cost
---|---|---
Base gold value| Same as yellow at same karat and weight 19| Same as white at
same karat and weight 19
Extra processing| Often higher due to rhodium plating and alloys 145| Usually
lower, fewer extra steps 19
Typical retail outcome| Slightly higher or similar price 179| Slightly lower
or similar price 179