Platinum vs White Gold: How to Choose
Maybe you’re shopping for wedding bands or an engagement ring. Perhaps you’re browsing for the next piece of jewelry to add to your collection. Now, you’re facing a cage match with Platinum vs White Gold.
Both offer a shiny, white appearance, but there are some key differences to realize before you buy white gold vs platinum jewelry.
What You Will Learn
What are Platinum and White Gold?
Before buying white gold or platinum jewelry, it’s essential to understand the makeup of each metal.
What is White Gold?
White gold is not pure gold (little gold used in jewelry is — even yellow gold is a gold alloy, with pure gold mixed with other metals). Instead, white gold jewelry is a mixture of pure gold and white metals, such as palladium, silver, and nickel. Furthermore, white gold typically features a rhodium plating on the exterior.
White gold is very popular for engagement rings and wedding rings, as an alternative to silver, which requires more maintenance and can’t withstand the same level of daily wear and tear.
White gold pros:
- White gold offers a very contemporary appearance.
- White gold is more durable than silver.
- White gold is more affordable than some metal options.
White gold cons:
- Due to the rhodium plating, white gold requires more maintenance than yellow gold or rose gold.
What is Platinum?
Platinum, meanwhile, is a naturally white metal. Unlike gold, it doesn’t need to be mixed with anything to achieve its silvery-white luster. This pure white metal is a popular choice for wedding or engagement rings.
However, pure platinum is one of the rarest precious metals on Earth. As such, it’s also one of the most expensive precious metals on Earth.
Platinum pros:
- Platinum is a relatively durable, strong metal that is resistant to tarnish and scratches.
- Platinum doesn’t require the same level of care and maintenance as some other precious metals.
Platinum cons:
- Platinum is justly expensive due to its scarcity compared to gold and is more challenging to work with.
White Gold or Platinum: Which Should You Buy?
Several factors determine whether you should buy a platinum engagement ring or a white gold engagement ring.
Do You Have Time for Care and Maintenance?
White gold jewelry requires special care due to its rhodium plating. The rhodium plating wears away, especially on high-touch pieces like a white gold ring. As the plating wears away and the metal appears yellow, replicating will be necessary and will cost you.
While this might not seem like a lot, consider whether or not you (or the wearer, if you’re buying the jewelry for someone else) will likely take the time to do this. Suppose you rarely take any of your existing jewelry in for cleaning or maintenance now. In that case, you’re unlikely to do so even with a white gold ring.
What’s Your Budget?
Of course, you must consider your budget when shopping for jewelry. Platinum is more expensive than white gold. If you have a strict budget and want a shiny silver-white appearance but don’t want to spend a lot of cash on platinum, white gold is a perfectly suitable alternative.
Do You Have Any Jewelry Allergies?
You may not want to buy white gold if you’re allergic to nickel. If you buy white gold, you may want to ask your jeweler if the item contains nickel. While this is not always the case, sometimes white gold alloys contain nickel because of its color. If you’re allergic to nickel, wearing the jewelry will give you an unsightly rash.
What’s Your Color Preference?
While white gold and platinum look similar, they’re not identical. When looking at platinum vs white gold color, you may see minute differences between a platinum ring and a white gold wedding ring. Platinum is white with a silver tone, while white gold is more of an off-white, with a gray tone.
White Gold Versus Platinum: The Final Word
Whether or not you opt for a platinum band vs white gold for your wedding or any other rings is a personal decision that will depend on what you want most from your new piece of jewelry. Both platinum rings and white gold rings come with their pros and cons.
In short, if you want something more budget-friendly, go with white gold. If you want something more luxurious and durable and don’t care as much about the cost, go with platinum.
Platinum vs White Gold FAQs
TL;DR? Here are the basic questions we’ve answered above.
Which is Better, Platinum or White Gold?
It depends on what you define as “better.” Platinum is more durable, luxurious, and requires less maintenance but is more expensive. White gold is more affordable but does require special maintenance.
How Do They Make White Gold Engagement Rings?
White gold is made by taking yellow gold and mixing it with white metals, as well as by plating it with rhodium. The yellow metal takes on a white hue as a result.
Which is Hypoallergenic, White Gold or Platinum?
Platinum is hypoallergenic, so it’s best for wearers with sensitive skin. In contrast, white gold sometimes contains nickel, one of the most common metal allergens, which could negatively affect particular wearers. .
Can You Get Platinum or White Gold Wet?
Yes, you can get both of these metals wet without worrying they’ll be damaged. However, don’t expose yourself to harsh chemicals like those in soaps, shampoos, beauty products, or swimming pools. Generally, it’s best to remove any jewelry before bathing, swimming, cleaning, or otherwise engaging in activities that might get it wet.
Which is Easier to Clean, Platinum or White Gold?
You can clean both platinum and white gold using a simple, at-home cleaner made from a mild dish soap and warm water. Soak the jewelry for a few minutes and then clean it of any debris or grime using a soft cloth or toothbrush. Then, rinse the jewelry with clean water and dry the jewelry with a soft polishing cloth.
Keep Your Jewelry Protected
From white gold engagement rings to platinum earrings, protect your favorite pieces with superior jewelry insurance.
With comprehensive jewelry insurance coverage, you can ensure your jewelry is safe whatever happens. BriteCo will be there to help you cover the costs of jewelry repairs or replace jewelry as needed.
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