How To Choose Between White Gold And Platinum?
When you buy jewellery, particularly engagement rings, it is common to be offered a choice between white gold and platinum for the ring. Both give a lustrous white finish, and both look beautiful on the finger. So, which one should you choose?
Both gold and platinum have come to symbolise eternity, remaining unchanged by the passage of years and so they mark a permanent commitment that will endure even beyond the decades of married life.
Gold was the traditional material used in making rings until the late 19th century when platinum became popular because it was durable and did not scratch in the same way as gold. Due to military needs during the WW1 platinum fell out of favour until the late 1960s. Some people say that platinum became popular again when Elvis Presley married Priscilla Presley in 1967. White gold became popular after WW1 as a substitute for platinum and remained popular because it was less expensive.
Today, platinum has become, once again, the most popular choice for engagement rings. The decision to choose white gold or platinum comes down to the preferences of the buyer, but as with so many things, the best choice is an informed choice.
White Gold And Platinum Compared
The appearance of white gold and platinum
Both metals have a white appearance, but platinum is a more greyish-white whereas white gold has a bright lustrous appearance. Most platinum rings are made with at least 95% minimum platinum, White gold is an alloy of gold, silver, palladium, and platinum and is sold as 9k, carat, (37.5%) gold or 18 carats (75%) gold. All gold jewellery is usually made with 9 or 18-carat gold so will always have an alloy added to pure gold. Some jewellers use nickel in the alloy mix, we at All Diamond ensure that all our jewellery is nickel-free so we use different alloys to make 9 or 18 carat Gold. Usually, white gold and platinum are plated with rhodium to give a more durable, whiter finish.
Platinum is more dense than gold, and while it might, for most people, be a small matter, the additional weight can give a platinum ring a more luxurious feeling than a white gold ring.
The durability of white gold and platinum
Platinum scratches more easily than white gold, but the effects are less evident because white gold scratches with deeper marks. Platinum tends to form small furrows, almost like ploughed ground, so the impact is less obvious. The furrowing is called age patina and some people like the effect as the ring ages. The scratches in white gold are more clearly seen because they form visible gouges where minuscule amounts of the gold and rhodium plating have been removed. The amount of metal lost is tiny.
Jewellers say that platinum settings, the fingers that hold the diamond in place, are more durable, hard-wearing, than white gold. Platinum is more resistant to the knocks and damage of life due to its slightly better ductility; that is, it can move and bend more than white gold before breaking or being permanently deformed.
Maintenance of white gold and platinum
All rings need some upkeep to keep them at their best. While some people treasure the age patina caused as platinum wears, others prefer to have their rings re-polished from time to time. Also, all rings need to have their settings checked to ensure they are still firmly holding the stones and a good clean to keep the diamonds shining as they should. White gold needs additional maintenance because the rhodium plating that gives white gold its beautiful bright lustre wears off over time leaving a more yellow appearance that detracts from the beauty of the piece. From time to time a white gold ring will need to be re-plated with rhodium.
Price of white gold and platinum compared
Although prices can vary over time due to market conditions, platinum usually costs more than white gold. Although over the life of the ring maintenance required for both rings to keep them looking at its best. Of course, any diamond ring should be checked and polished regularly to maintain its good as new look.
Ring design using white gold or platinum
A final point to consider, especially if having a custom design made is that white gold, especially 18k, is better than platinum when creating a delicate and intricate piece. For pre-made rings, this is not an issue because you buy what you see and what you like.
Allergic reactions
Although very few people are allergic to gold, the mixture of metals in white gold can cause some people to suffer an allergic reaction, with redness and swelling where the metal is in prolonged contact with the skin. High purity platinum is considered to be hypoallergenic. Almost nobody has an allergic reaction to platinum; this can be a deciding factor in the choice of metal for a ring.
Hallmarking
When buying gold or platinum ring in the United Kingdom, you should make sure that it carries a hallmark that certifies the purity of the metal used in making the ring. In Britain, it is illegal to sell or describe any item weighing more than 1g if it is gold and 0.5g if platinum without a UK hallmark so make sure that your ring carries the correct markings.
Be An Informed Purchaser
Both white gold and platinum make beautiful rings and have their advantages and disadvantages. Many couples prefer to buy platinum rings for appearance, durability, luxurious feeling and long-term value for money. Find out more in our article about precious metals.
