When you want to sell gold jewelry, whether it's for resale or appraisal, one question always comes up: Does the color of the gold affect the price?
Between yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold, many people believe that certain colors are worth more than others. However, the reality is simple: color has NO impact on the buyback price.
In this article, our gold buying experts in Belgium explain why and what really influences the value of your jewelry.
What determines the value of gold jewelry: carat weight
What matters when selling gold is NOT the color.
It's the karat, i.e., the proportion of pure gold contained in the jewelry.
The most common carats in Belgium:
- 18K (75% pure gold) – the most common
- 14K (58.5%)
- 9K (37.5%)
The price is therefore determined by the quantity of pure gold, not by the color (rose gold, white gold, or yellow gold).
Why does the color change, but not the price?
The color is simply related to the alloys added to the gold:
- Yellow gold: silver + copper
- White gold: palladium, nickel (sometimes rhodium plating)
- Rose gold: copper
But in all cases, the proportion of pure gold is the same.
An 18-karat piece of jewelry is worth the same whether it is rose, white, or yellow. When buying back jewelry, we only pay for the pure gold extracted from the piece.
Concrete example (18K)
Two 18K rings:
- 18K rose gold ring
- 18K white gold ring
Result:
- Same weight
- Same carat
- Same price per gram
Only solid gold jewelry (9K/14K/18K) has resale value. Gold-plated jewelry has no metal value.
Why is it important to know this?
Many customers believe that:
❌ White gold is more expensive
❌ Rose gold is rarer
❌ Yellow gold is less noble
That's not true. This misconception can lead to an inaccurate valuation when selling gold jewelry.
Knowing the facts allows you to get the best price, without confusion.
How can you determine the carat weight of your jewelry?
✔️ Look for official hallmarks:
- 750 → 18K
- 585 → 14K
- 375 → 9K
✔️ Check for wear:
A coppery hue = often rose gold
A paler metal = white gold
But only the hallmark is reliable.
✔️ Need to be sure?
An expert can test your jewelry for free.
Where can you get your gold jewelry appraised?
Our gold buying experts will appraise your jewelry free of charge at our branches in: Braine-l'Alleud, Wavre, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Uccle
- Accurate metal testing
- Free estimate
- Fast payment
- No obligation
Your most frequently asked questions
Is white gold more valuable than yellow gold?
No. The price depends on the carat, not the color.
Is rose gold rarer?
No. It's simply a mixture with more copper.
Does the price of gold buyback depend on the jewelry?
It depends on the weight and carat, not the design or color.
Can I sell 18K, 14K, or 9K gold?
Yes, those are the three carats bought in Belgium.
Are you buying white, rose, or yellow gold?
Yes, all colors, at the same price per carat.