Choosing White Gold vs Platinum: What’s the Difference?
Wedding bands and engagement rings – an elegant statement piece, a lasting memento, and a brilliant symbol of commitment. So, when you decide to buy this elegant piece of jewelry, there are a few decisions that you have to make.
If you are choosing white metal, you have two options: white gold and platinum. Confused about which one is right for you? You have come to the perfect place!
| White Gold | Platinum |
| They are made of a combination of alloys. | They are naturally white in color. |
| They are quite budget-friendly. | They are expensive and rare. |
| They need replating. | They maintain their shine and radiance. |
| Can be worn every day as they are durable. | They are not so durable. |
Difference Between White Gold And Platinum
Although both these metals have a white aesthetic, there are considerable differences between these two metals. Let’s explore which metal you should go for and why.
Color
White gold has been a hot trend for decades, but do you have any idea how they are made? As opposed to popular belief, any white gold jewelry, such as white gold ring rings for women, is not a pure white metal. A combination of metals goes into making them.
You know the color of gold is yellow. Jewelers mix it with a combination of alloys to make it white in color. Cheap white gold appears grey, and sometimes they even appear yellow. They sometimes need rhodium plating to appear bright white.
Sometimes, a fair portion of palladium alloy is mixed with white gold with palladium to give it a shiny white luster naturally. Palladium is also quite rare and is thus more expensive than white gold. As palladium is quite durable, it does not need rhodium plating.
Platinum, on the other hand, is very rare and appears naturally white. It does not require any mixture of alloys and maintains its color for a long period.
Tip for you: If you have any metal sensitivities or allergies, you should use platinum as they are hypoallergenic.
Price
If you are thinking of white gold price, let us tell you that they are 40-50% less expensive than platinum as the latter is required more to make a piece of jewelry due to its density. Platinum is rarer than gold which is also responsible for its high price.
When both the metals are compared by their price per gram, you will see that there is not much price difference. But the difference in their densities and the amount of metal needed comparatively makes up for the price difference. Since white gold is made of a mixture of durable metals, they are much more affordable than platinum.
However, it would help if you remembered that white needs replating every 5 to 10 years to maintain its color. Thus, platinum may come off as expensive in the initial years, but it requires less maintenance cost. Check out our online website to buy exquisite white gold rings online.
Durability
Since Moissanite Wedding Bands and engagement rings are pieces of jewelry you will wear for the rest of your lives; it is essential to ensure that the metal is durable. Although heavier than gold, platinum is a purer metal and is more bendable because of its density.
However, platinum is malleable and more susceptible to wear and tear. It will require regular cleaning and polishing to maintain its smooth look.
On the other hand, white gold is quite durable and is perfectly suitable to wear every day. The mixture of durable metals in its composition contributes to its durability and strength.
Popularity
While many trends come and go, the pure white metal always comes at the top of the chart. Platinum tends to be more popular for engagement rings than white gold.
There is a kind of charm and elegance associated with platinum. You can explore our white gold jewelry online to choose from a plethora of options.
Tip for you: Compared to white gold moissanite rings, platinum doesn’t have much difference in style. The malleability of platinum makes it the preferred metal by jewelers.
In a nutshell, the pros of platinum include:
- It is hypoallergenic in nature.
- It is rare.
- It is often considered a sign of prestige and dignity.
- It is more durable and heavier than white gold.
- It looks best on people having fair and rosy skin tones.
The pros of white gold include:
- Much more affordable and budget-friendly than platinum.
- Nowadays, it is more in trend than yellow gold.
- It is more durable and scratch-resistant as its composition has alloys of stronger metals.
- According to some people, white gold better complements white diamonds than yellow gold.
- It goes well with rosy and fair skin tones.
The metal you choose for your piece of jewelry depends on your preference and style; it is helpful to know the key differences between them. For instance, white gold and platinum look similar, and the latter is more expensive than the former.
You can also check our blog, Best metal for moissanite diamond earrings, to gain more perspective on this topic.