White Gold vs Platinum

Engagement rings and wedding bands have traditionally been made of gold. In recent years, yellow gold has gone out of style and has been replaced by white gold or platinum. Both metals appear the same with a white metallic look that shines much better than yellow gold and illuminates the diamonds more. However, there are some major differences between the two metals.

Purity

White gold is created from yellow gold by adding white alloys to give the gold the appearance of being white. 18kt. gold is 75% pure gold, 14kt. gold is just under 60% pure. Platinum doesn’t need alloys to make it white and is 95% pure.

Color

Both metals appear to be white, however white gold is given the bright white appearance by a rhodium plating and platinum is naturally white. For white gold to maintain the bright white color, it typically requires annual rhodium plating which will wear off over time due to contact with other metals, chemicals, and body oils. Platinum will lose its luster over time and will become grayer more quickly than the rhodium plating wears off of the white gold. The main difference is that to restore the original appearance of a platinum ring, a professional polishing is all that is required.

Durability & Security

Although platinum is a very heavy metal and is approximately 60% denser than gold, it is more malleable than gold. True, platinum is stronger than 24kt. gold, but the alloys added to create 18kt, 14kt, and 10kt. gold make gold more durable, and more secure than platinum.

Cost

The cost of platinum jewelry is, on average, twice the price of gold. Platinum has a higher melting point than gold, giving the ability to work with platinum to a select group of jewelry designers with the experience and technology required to create platinum jewelry. The rarity, weight, purity, and labor to create platinum jewelry, causes the price to be higher than gold.