White gold or silver? How to tell them apart at a glance (and avoid mistakes)

Worked by the expert hands of goldsmiths and artisans, gold and silver are two materials capable of taking the form of rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings—small wearable works of art. Knowing how to distinguish white gold from silver is important: the two materials look very similar, but they differ in composition and, above all, value. 

An untrained eye, in fact, could be deceived by silver that looks like gold, but discovering their characteristics is the first step toward protecting yourself from fraud and making more informed choices.

Difference between white gold and silver: composition and alloys

The same color and shine, but a completely different essence. Silver is a material found in nature, either in its pure form or more often combined with other minerals such as lead and sulfur. It is a very ductile metal, harder than pure gold, which must be combined with other metals to be worked.

This is how precious alloys are created: specifically, the composition of 18k white gold 18k is achieved by combining 75% gold with 25% silver, palladium, or manganese, creating a material that is stronger and more durable than silver. 

Then there are gold-plated silver jewelry pieces, in which a layer of gold is applied exclusively to the surface of a silver base. 

How to care for white gold and silver

Because white gold and silver are so different by nature, they require different, specific care to restore their original shine. Silver tarnishes easily and needs to be polished with a professional product. White gold is low-maintenance, but after a few years it tends to yellow and may require rhodium plating by a jeweler. Rhodium plating can also be applied to silver jewelry and accessories to make them more resistant to oxidation.

How to distinguish white gold from silver: hallmarks and fineness

To distinguish white gold from silver or any other material that looks similar, you need to look for and check the hallmark, which is the small distinctive mark that, at 

an international level, indicates the nature of the metal. In particular, the hallmark refers to the fineness of the alloy, expressed in thousandths: it is a numerical code that indicates the percentage of pure gold or silver in the jewelry. 

The finenesses used for gold are 750, 585, and 375 (which correspond to 18k, 14k, and 9k, respectively). For example, a hallmark with the number 750 indicates that 750 out of 1,000 parts of the metal are pure gold (75%), while 585 contains 58.5%, and so on. For silver, the finenesses are 925 and 800. 

925 white gold: why the term is incorrect

You may often come across the term “925 white gold,” but 925 is not a fineness used for white gold, so in this case you are dealing with a fake or a silver jewelry piece with an incorrect designation. 

Various methods for identifying gold and silver, such as the “bite test,” using a ceramic stone, floating, etc., which you may read about online, are not fully reliable and some may even damage the beauty of the jewelry. 

To identify white gold, verify its authenticity if you have doubts, or be certain that a piece of jewelry is made of genuine silver, it is recommended to consult a trusted jeweler who, thanks to their experience and proper equipment, can provide a reliable verdict. For secure purchases, the advice is always to rely on certified retailers. 

Read our in-depth article on the real difference between white gold and yellow gold.

White gold and silver: how much they are worth and how prices change

The price of precious metals changes every day based on supply and demand and stock market trends. When pricing white gold, the fineness is considered—that is, the amount of pure gold expressed in thousandths or carats relative to the weight. 

To determine precisely how much white gold is worth, you must therefore consult the prices for a specific date. Silver is worth far less than white gold. For comparison: the first is priced in cents, while 18k gold during the period considered (July 2023) exceeded €35 per gram. 

If you have noticed that the silver or gold of your watch looks faded or worn, learn more about proper cleaning and maintenance to preserve the appearance and durability of your valuable accessory.

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