Platinum vs White Gold
The primary distinction between platinum and white gold lies in their composition; platinum is a pure metal, while white gold is an alloy. Various precious metals exist, including gold, silver, diamond, and platinum. Platinum is often favored for engagement rings due to its sparkling beauty, elegance, whiteness, and durability. However, white gold has become increasingly popular among people and jewelers, with many now choosing white gold engagement rings. This article will discuss the differences between white gold and platinum to help people decide on the best material for their engagement rings.
White gold is not platinum. It is an alloy of yellow gold combined with other precious metals, such as silver or palladium, to give it a whitish appearance. Both white gold and platinum have different properties, so it is essential to be aware of their features before selecting either material for engagement rings.
What is White Gold?
White gold is created by adding other materials to gold, turning it into an alloy. White gold can be 18kt, 14kt, or even 9kt, depending on the added metals. When 75% gold is mixed with 25% other materials, such as silver and palladium, 18kt white gold is produced. As the percentage of gold decreases, so does its karat (carat). In the past, nickel was commonly used to make white gold. However, since nickel can cause adverse skin reactions, jewelers no longer use it for this purpose. To make a finished alloy whiter, a plating of rhodium is applied. Rhodium has properties similar to platinum and makes ornaments look as white as platinum. However, rhodium plating is prone to wear, so it should be reapplied every 12-18 months to maintain the ring’s whiteness.
What is Platinum?
Many people prefer platinum over white gold, even though it is more expensive. Platinum is a pure metal that is naturally white. It does not require any plating, as it is highly durable and long-lasting. Platinum is denser than gold, so a ring of the same karats as gold feels heavier. Because platinum is denser, it is more challenging to form jewelry from it, resulting in higher costs for platinum jewelry.
What is the difference between Platinum and White Gold?
- White gold is an alloy of yellow gold made by adding white metals such as silver and palladium, while platinum is a pure metal.
- Platinum is naturally white, while jewelers apply rhodium plating to white gold rings to make them look as white as platinum.
- The whiteness of platinum remains intact, while white gold rings need rhodium plating every 12-18 months.
Key Takeaways
- White gold is an alloy created by combining yellow gold with other white metals, while platinum is a naturally pure, white metal.
- Platinum is denser, more durable, and more expensive than white gold, and it does not require rhodium plating to maintain its whiteness.
- White gold is harder than platinum but requires periodic rhodium plating to keep its white appearance.
