What Is White Gold: Meaning, Purity & Market Value Explained

For all those wondering what is white gold, it is essentially a gold alloy made by combining pure gold with white metals such as nickel, palladium, and silver. This blend gives white gold its distinctive silvery appearance along with added strength and durability.

In simple terms, white gold represents a modern alloy that combines the elegance of yellow gold with a sleek, contemporary silver finish. Its purity and alloy composition directly influence its appearance, durability, and value, especially when used as collateral for gold loans.

White gold has gained significant popularity in India due to its use in engagement rings, luxury jewellery, and investment pieces that balance modern aesthetics with long-term value.

Understanding White Gold: Meaning and Composition

White gold means a combination of yellow gold and selected white metals that together create a lighter colour and improved durability. Many people ask what white gold is because its composition is not always widely understood.

White gold is produced by alloying gold with metals such as nickel, palladium, silver, and zinc. These metals enhance strength while giving the gold a brighter, white-toned appearance.

White gold rose to popularity during the 1920s as a cost-effective alternative to platinum, offering a similar look at a lower price point. In the jewellery industry, white gold is still classified as gold, with its colour determined by the alloy used.

Today, white gold remains a preferred choice among younger buyers who seek stylish, durable, and valuable jewellery that aligns with both Indian and Western design preferences.

What Is White Gold Made Of?

To understand what white gold is made of, it is important to note that it is not a naturally occurring metal. Pure gold is too soft for daily wear, so it is combined with other metals to improve strength and colour.

Common metals used in white gold alloys include:

• Nickel: Adds strength and a bright white appearance

• Palladium: Improves durability and offers a hypoallergenic option

• Silver: Lightens the alloy and enhances polish

• Zinc: Improves smoothness and reduces oxidation

In India, white gold is most commonly available in 18K (75 percent gold) and 14K (58.5 percent gold) variants. These blends maintain gold’s intrinsic value while making the jewellery suitable for regular wear.

White gold jewellery is typically finished with rhodium plating, which enhances shine and protects the surface from scratches. Although this plating wears off over time, simple re-plating restores the jewellery’s original brilliance.

The Purity of White Gold Explained: Karat and Hallmarks

White gold purity is measured using the same karat system as yellow and rose gold. The karat indicates how much pure gold is present in the alloy.

For example, 24K gold is 100 percent pure gold, while 18K white gold contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts alloy metals. Higher karat white gold contains more gold, increasing value but slightly reducing durability.

In India, jewellery purity is verified through BIS hallmarking, which includes the BIS logo, karat marking such as 18K750, and the jeweller’s identification code.

Purity plays a critical role in gold loans, as lenders assess karat value and hallmarks to determine the exact gold content. Properly hallmarked jewellery often qualifies for higher loan amounts.

Why White Gold Is Popular in India: Trends and Benefits

White gold sales in India continue to grow because Indian consumers have adopted this metal through their cultural preferences and their preference for modern designs. Young consumers choose white gold because it offers both fashionable design and durable construction.

Here are some key white gold advantages: that explain its growing popularity: Key advantages of white gold include

• Elegant appearance that enhances diamonds and gemstones

• High durability suitable for daily wear

• Hypoallergenic options when alloyed with palladium

• Versatility across men’s and women’s jewellery

• Platinum-like finish at a more affordable price

• Strong appeal in both traditional and contemporary outfits

Its resistance to tarnish, neutral tone, and long-lasting finish make white gold a preferred choice for weddings, festive jewellery, and investment purposes.

How to Calculate the Price of White Gold Jewellery

Understanding how to calculate white gold price is essential for anyone buying, selling, or using jewellery as collateral for a gold loan. Since white gold contains both gold and other alloy metals, its final cost depends on several combined factors.

Price formula:
Price = Current gold rate × purity percentage × weight + making charges + plating cost

Example:
If the 22K gold rate is ₹6,000 per gram and you own 10 grams of 18K white gold:
₹6,000 × 0.75 × 10 = ₹45,000 (excluding making and rhodium charges)

Final prices vary based on craftsmanship, plating, and daily gold rates. Always check updated rates before making a transaction.

Factors Affecting the Market Value of White Gold

White gold value depends on various elements which originate from internal and external sources. The market value and resale worth of these items depend on these factors. The value of white gold depends most on purity but other economic and design elements play a significant role in the process.

Here are some factors that determine the value of white gold:

• Global gold rates: Gold's market value of gold depends on worldwide market trends and economic performance.

• Karats & Purity: White gold's value depends on its purity level which shows the amount of actual gold in the alloy.

• Alloy Metals: Palladium and nickel alloy are two metals, the combination of which affect both product durability and production expenses.

• Rhodium Plating Cost: The cost of rhodium plating for white gold increases its brilliance but makes maintenance more expensive.

• Design: Jewellery design and craftsmanship determines aesthetic and resale appeal

• Market Demand in India: Market trends and demand within India’s evolving fashion and bridal segments

How White Gold Jewellery Is Valued for Gold Loans

When evaluating white gold for a gold loan, lenders focus primarily on the actual gold content.

The gold loan valuation process typically includes:

• Purity testing through hallmark verification or karat measurement using specialized devices

• Weighing the jewellery after removing non-metal components like stones or beads

• Applying the latest market rate of gold to the pure gold weight in the item

• Adjusting the value based on alloy content and rhodium plating condition

• Calculating the eligible loan amount as a percentage (commonly up to 75 percent) of the assessed gold value

Minor wear on rhodium plating or lower karat purity can reduce the overall white gold valuation, as lenders prioritize the actual gold content. Keeping jewellery hallmarked and in good condition ensures you get a higher and more accurate loan offer. Financial institutions like IIFL Finance also offer the facility of online gold loan calculator, allowing borrowers to easily estimate their loan eligibility and repayment terms based on purity, weight, and the latest market gold rates.

How to Check the Loan Value of Your White Gold Jewellery

If you are planning to pledge your jewellery, it is easy to check white gold loan value at home before visiting a lender. A basic calculation gives you an approximate estimate of how much loan amount you may receive. Follow these steps to calculate loan on white gold:

• Weigh your jewellery using a digital scale

• Verify purity through hallmark stamps

• Check live gold rates from trusted sources

• Apply the formula: Gold rate × purity × weight × loan-to-value ratio

• Compare offers from banks and NBFCs

Recommended tools and resources:

• IIFL Finance Gold Loan Calculator: For accurate loan estimation and eligibility checks.

• BIS Care App: To verify hallmark authenticity and purity of jewellery.

• MCX India or Goodreturns.in: For checking daily live gold rates