custom designing silver ring jewelry
Since platinum is the most durable metal in addition to being the densest, it shouldn’t be a surprise that this metal is also the most expensive. Being about 20% denser than white gold, platinum is about two-and-a-half to five times more expensive than white gold. Because it’s less malleable, platinum is a more difficult material to work, so the cost of labor that goes into molding that piece increases.
white gold vs platinum rings with and without patina
Although scratches in rings or jewelry are inevitable, when platinum is scratched, the metal is not lost as it is in white gold. Rather, the color shifts within the ring itself, creating what is known as a patina finish. In some cultures this is actually seen as a beautiful thing, and a symbol for how long you and your paramour have been together. In the U.S., opinions differ from person to person, but some people embrace the platinum patina.
Platinum Ring Catalog
Benefits of White Gold and Platinum
In comparison to platinum, white gold is typically more prone to damage because of its use of alloys. Jednakże, white gold is also a much lighter metal than platinum, which can better suit people who don’t desire heavy metals in their rings. White gold is also of a much lower cost than platinum, making it a more affordable option.
Hypoallergenic Rings
Another benefit of platinum is that it’s hypoallergenic. Being a naturally white metal, there’s no need to combine it with nickel, which can be an allergen for certain individuals. Nickel is one of the alloys required to create white gold’s finish, which can be a problem for wearers whose skin is sensitive to this metal.
But if white gold is coated with a top layer of rhodium plating, it reduces and sometimes even completely eliminates the contact that exists between the nickel and one’s skin. (This plating can wear off over the years, giving the metal a yellowish tint and requiring the ring to be replated by a jeweler, which can add cost.)
White Gold vs Platinum Price
Just like there are the four C’s of diamonds, there are a variety of factors to consider when it comes to choosing your engagement ring metal. Cost is one of main Cs of metals. There are two things to consider when looking at price: cost of buying and cost of care. If you’re looking at sticker price, white gold is the more budget-friendly option. We generally recommend purchasing white gold so you can maximize other aspects of your engagement ring, such as the diamond.
White Gold vs Platinum Durability
Durability and cost should be considered together. Platinum is more durable and requires less repolishing. But that doesn’t mean you only need to re-polish your white gold engagement ring every so often to keep it shining. White gold is finished with a rhodium plating to give it a pure white shine and improve durability. But it does wear off over time. That means you’ll need to replace it.