Which Is Better Platinum Or White Gold Engagement Ring?

Platinum and white gold are two popular metals for engagement rings and wedding bands. White gold is lighter and less dense, giving it a more wearable feel. It is also lighter and less expensive than platinum, making it a more affordable choice. However, both metals are durable and strong, with platinum being more cost-effective in the long run and having better investment value in the long term.

Platinum is about 20% denser than gold and is a more durable metal than either 14k or 18k gold. White gold is typically plated with rhodium, which provides the white shine and improved durability. However, rhodium plating wears off over time and requires additional maintenance, such as re-plating.

The composition of platinum vs white gold varies depending on the karat of the white gold wedding ring chosen. The most common karat of gold for wedding bands and engagement rings is 14k (58% pure gold, 42% other metals), 10k (42% pure gold, 58% other metals). Platinum is also considered stronger than 18k gold, making it more difficult to bend and shape.

White gold is more durable due to its heavier weight and density, while white gold is more fragile and less malleable. Both metals are durable, but platinum is considered stronger and requires more regular upkeep to retain its white color.

In terms of comfort, platinum is denser and heavier than white gold, making it more comfortable for earrings. At times, it can be lower in price than platinum, allowing you to focus on the stone over the metal. Overall, both platinum and white gold are durable and strong options for engagement rings and wedding bands.

Why avoid white gold engagement ring?

White gold, compared to platinum which has a similar white hue, is less durable than its counterpart because it is actually a softer metal. Every time gold is scratched, a little sliver of the gold falls off and is lost. This is what causes visible scratches on your wedding bands. To avoid this, you might want to consider platinum for your wedding band which actually hardens over time and creates a more durable patina finish.

Surprise – white gold is not actually white! White gold is made by combining gold, which is naturally yellow, with other alloys that create that white color that you love. Over time, your wedding band will start to turn a faint yellow through everyday wear. If you wear your wedding band 24/7, your beautiful white ring may start changing color as soon as 12 months after first wearing it. Definitely something to think about, especially if seeing your ring changing colors will bother you.

To keep your white gold wedding band that white color, you will need to have your wedding band rhodium plated right when it starts noticeably fading to yellow. Rhodium plating sometimes needs to be done once every six to twelve months, which definitely starts adding up after a few years. While some people dont see a problem with this, others, especially those who are hard on their hands, may find this extremely inconvenient. If you want to avoid this all together, a great alternative is platinum which doesnt change color over time and will never need to be rhodium plated.

Why choose white gold over platinum?

Price & Affordability. Budget is always something to consider when investing in a piece of fine jewelry, an engagement ring, or a wedding ring. White gold is generally more affordable than platinum, because platinum is a more pure metal, it is typically also more expensive.

Prices, however, fluctuate as the price of gold and the metals that make up white gold can increase for various reasons. So while white gold is generally less expensive than platinum, this is not always true depending on market considerations.

Finally, the cost of replating white gold is something to consider. While the initial out-of-pocket costs of white gold may be cheaper, if you need to replate your piece, then this is a future cost to keep in mind.

Why do jewelers not like platinum?

ServiceabilityWhite gold is more widely serviceable than platinum, meaning that more jewellers are able to resize and repair white gold jewellery. In addition to this, platinums higher melting temperature pose a risk to gemstones and diamonds that may get burnt when repairing platinum jewellery. However, modern tools such as laser welders and an experienced platinum jeweller eliminate these problems.Investment.

Since gold is a widely traded asset and investment, gold in both pure and alloy form is a lot easier to sell than platinum. Whilst numerous gold buyers have sprung up in recent times, very few of these buy platinum.

This entry was written by and was posted on on Thursday, June 6th, 2013 at 3:16 pm and is filed under Buying Advice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Does platinum last longer than white gold?

What about the alternative – does white gold scratch? Yes, however, when this occurs the gold is scratched away and is lost, rather than moved around. Compared to platinum, gold is softer and less durable, leading to slight loss of the precious metal over time.

Platinums weight and durability is one of its strongest assets as a precious metal. It will help hold precious stones in place securely for a lifetime. In fact, platinum prongs are often used in rings made of less durable metals, like white gold.

Because platinum is able to handle scratches and wear and tear more, a platinum piece can last for generations. Platinum jewelry is easy to get looking like new again and can easily be resized or reconditioned if it is passed down.

When comparing metals, youll also want to think about the possibility that the metal could irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. Hypoallergenic metals will help to reduce the possibility that you will have an allergic reaction by minimizing potentially irritating substances.

Why is white gold better than platinum?

Platinum VS white gold – The final verdict. The main advantage of white gold over platinum is that it is much more affordable. However, the disadvantage is that you may need to have your white gold item recoated in rhodium every so often. This is inconvenient and the cost can add up over the years.

Platinum jewellery, on the other hand, is initially more expensive than white gold, which can be limiting if youre on a low budget. However, it can be argued that platinum is better than white gold because it is more cost-effective in the long run (no need for recoating) and has better investment value in the long term.

Visit TheDiamondStore.co.ukto view beautiful platinum and white gold jewellery.

What are the disadvantages of white gold?

Cons- To retain its white color and luster, it needs to be re-plated with rhodium every few years. Its an inexpensive process, but still takes effort.- Its often mixed with nickel, a metal that causes an allergic reaction in some people.

As with most things regarding the design and style of your engagement ring, metal choice will be based on personal preference. While white gold has maintained its popularity over yellow gold, the latter is coming back into the widespread appeal it once enjoyed. If you’re drawn to both colors, consider the undertones of your skin.

Cool skin tones tend to look best with the sharp luster of white gold. Consider our Lorelei, combining sculpture and symbolism in a vine-like band that contours to the finger. The lustrous white gold makes the hand-engraved bark texture and prongs crafted to look like leaves appear elegant and refined.

Those with warmer skin tones tend to make the warmth of yellow gold really pop. Consider our Katie, the epitome of subtle beauty in a classic, minimalist look. A fine, polished yellow gold band supports a bezel-set center stone for a truly vivid contrast of white diamond and yellow gold for a modern ring.

Why use white gold instead of platinum?

Although not as dense as Platinum, White Gold is intrinsically strong and fine details have more rigidity. If a design features hand engraving, mill grain or square edges, these details will be retained by White Gold better than Platinum. The downside of White Gold is that it is more susceptible to wearing away. If you have ever seen an old White Gold ring, it is likely you would have noticed that it has become very thin due to the metal wearing off over time.

Your jeweller will assess your design and ask you questions about your lifestyle, occupation and how often youre most likely to wear your piece to determine which metals durability is better suited for you.

Another separating factor is colour. While Platinum is a naturally white metal, White Gold is made by combining pure gold (which is yellow in colour) with alloying metals such as Palladium. Because of the yellow metal content, White Gold is actually slightly grey/off-white in colour. This can be corrected by a surface treatment called Rhodium plating.

What is the disadvantage of platinum?

Platinum is a very dense metal which means it has excellent resistance to wearing away. A wedding ring made in Platinum could be worn for decades and barely lose any thickness at all. The downside of Platinum is that it tends to lose its high polish and sharp edges fairly quickly. This is not because they are being worn away but, more accurately, they are being moulded like clay around the surface of the ring. This can result in small ‘bruises and dents on the metal surface that over time creates its own unique finish called a patina. It is this particular characteristic that can mean some design elements are better in White Gold.

Although not as dense as Platinum, White Gold is intrinsically strong and fine details have more rigidity. If a design features hand engraving, mill grain or square edges, these details will be retained by White Gold better than Platinum. The downside of White Gold is that it is more susceptible to wearing away. If you have ever seen an old White Gold ring, it is likely you would have noticed that it has become very thin due to the metal wearing off over time.

Your jeweller will assess your design and ask you questions about your lifestyle, occupation and how often youre most likely to wear your piece to determine which metals durability is better suited for you.

Why is platinum better for engagement rings?

Platinum is a sticky metal – it does not wear away. When you scratch platinum the metal is just displaced and does not flake off. It can be polished multiple times without loss of metal. Over time gold will become thin as a result of wear and repolishing, causing prongs to get weak and brittle.

Platinum is the most popular choice of precious metal for engagement rings, and with good reason. Many brides and grooms opt for platinum wedding sets. The everlasting quality of the metal is a cherished symbol of eternal commitment and love. With cultural associations as being ‘the best of the best’, the appeal of platinum has become even greater than gold for diamond jewelry.

Rare, enduring and naturally bright and beautiful; when choosing a metal for your engagement ring, platinum is sure to be top of the list.

Unlike white gold, platinum is naturally white in color. White gold must be plated with rhodium to give it its silvery white sheen, and this plating process will need to be repeated over the years to prevent the yellow tones of white gold from emerging. The naturally white gleam of platinum perfectly complements the radiance of a colourless loose diamond, and the light play between the metal and the diamond enhances the overall brilliance of the piece. A simple solitaire like this Classic Six-Prong Solitaire from A.Jaffe is elevated to a new level when set in platinum.

Is platinum or white gold better for a ring?

White gold is durable but slightly softer than platinum. It may develop scratches and wear over time, but these can be easily polished by a jeweller.

Platinum is incredibly durable and dense, making it highly resistant to everyday wear, but itll also scratch and show signs of wear over time.

White gold may require rhodium plating every 12-24 months if you wish to maintain its bright white colour and shine. Some prefer to let the rhodium plating wear away to display a very very slight yellow tinge as part of its charm.

Platinum naturally maintains its white colour without the need for plating over time, however it can develop a patina finish over time. This patina is often described as a slightly frosted finish which reduces the lustre of the polished metal. Many appreciate this as part of the metals character, but it can be easily polished to restore its original shine.

Is platinum much more expensive than white gold?

Why is 18ct White Gold cheaper than Platinum?. Platinum tends to be more costly than non-Palladium White Gold by about 40-50%. This is because Platinum is rarer, has a higher density, and is used in its pure form – more Platinum is required to make a Platinum ring than Gold is required to make a White Gold ring.

Platinum and Palladium White Gold Jewellery Care. The Rhodium Plating on Palladium White Gold protects the precious metal, and pieces should be re-plated every few years to maintain shine and ensure maximum protection. Platinum pieces do not regain their shine once they have earned their patina, and require more polishing and cleaning than Palladium White Gold to maintain a smooth appearance. These services should be kept in mind when considering overall price.

Pairing. When considering your options, take note of the other jewellery that may come into continual contact – engagement rings, for example, traditionally sit next to a wedding band. These two pieces should be made of the same material, otherwise a Platinum ring will wear away a Palladium White Gold piece.

What are the disadvantages of white gold ring?

DISADVANTAGES OF WHITE GOLD. White gold jewellery can become scratched, especially when worn on a daily basis.

White golds rhodium plating will wear away over time. Youll need to have it re-plated (called rhodium plating) to keep its ‘white colour however, this is a simple process.

Because nickel may be present in the gold alloy, white gold may not be suitable for metal allergy sufferers.