Platinum or White Gold? We Sum Up The Benefits of These Popular Choices for Diamond Engagement Rings

For those who are looking for the perfect diamond engagement ring, there are indeed many choices in store. There are many different diamond engagement ring shapes and styles, and you can, of course, decide on the carat and clarity you want for the actual stone itself. But apart from these choices, there’s one other important choice that not many of us are completely knowledgeable about – and it can affect the price and longevity of the ring you choose: should you go for platinum or white gold? They look almost the same, so it can be quite difficult to decide which one to opt for. Here, we sum up the difference between the two.

The basics on white gold

Not everyone is aware of it, but white gold does not actually exist in nature. It is, in fact, comprised of yellow gold which is mixed or combined with white metal alloys, such as silver or palladium. The gold is then coated with another metal with a silver-white colouring, referred to as rhodium; this results in the white-silvery sheen associated with white gold.

 
You may be wondering why white gold has to be combined with metal alloys. The reason for this is simple: because gold is a very soft metal. If used alone, it will be bent out of shape in no time. This is why both white and yellow gold are mixed with metal alloys so gold jewellery can be made

The basics on platinum

Platinum is different from white gold in that it occurs naturally – which means that it isn’t a mixture of gold and other alloys. It’s a pure metal, and it’s also heavier, harder, and rarer than both yellow and white gold. It is naturally hard, so its purity can be as much as 95% – and this in itself makes it more expensive.

Comparing the two

Both platinum and white gold have their merits, although the main – and most obvious – difference between the two is their price. Platinum is costlier than white gold, so if you’re on a budget, it might be wiser to choose white gold. Keep in mind, though, that the coating of rhodium on white gold can fade over time, so you may have to have it re-coated regularly (about once a year) so the yellow gold colouring does not show.

Platinum, on the other hand, doesn’t need to be re-coated, because it is already naturally white-silver in colour. It’s also heavier than gold, and some individuals may prefer the more substantial ‘feel’.  However, as it is a softer metal it will gain surface scratches during day to day wear and will want polishing every 12 to 18 months in order to stay looking its best.

At the end of the day, the choice is really up to you. The colouring of both is basically the same and both can indeed be quite beautiful, but it also comes down to the pricing and maintenance, which are also major considerations.