BOSTON, MA., February 15, 2021
White gold and platinum are the most commonly used metals for making engagement rings. This is due to their durability and high value, not to mention their stunning appearance. These two metals are ideal materials for making contemporary wedding and engagement rings because they have a modern and sleek look. What separates them are their varying compositions, purity, price, appearance, and durability.

So, before deciding which engagement ring to go for in white gold vs. platinum, Alex and Company offer to educate you first on their differences. This helps customers to make informed buying decisions.

Purity in White Gold vs. Platinum

To make facts clear, wedding and engagement rings are rarely made of 100% pure platinum or gold. In jewelry, to make these two metals workable and durable, gold and platinum are alloyed with other materials. Engagement rings made from platinum alloys consist of between 85% to 95% pure platinum. Metals such as cobalt, palladium, or copper make up the other percentage. An alloy ring that is made up of 80% platinum cannot be marked with the platinum stamp because it is not considered platinum.

White gold alloys are mostly composed of a lower pure gold percentage. A white gold engagement ring will only consist of 58% pure gold if it weighs 14k. An 18k white gold ring is made up of 75% pure gold. Metals such as nickel, copper, and silver make up the rest of the alloy.

Importance of Purity in White Gold vs Platinum

One of the reasons why platinum engagement rings are more expensive than white gold is their purity percentage difference. In other words, the amount of precious metal found in a platinum ring is far more than the precious metal in white gold rings. Since the other metals that complete the alloys are not precious, they don’t count when setting up the price. The percentage of other metals in white gold alloys affects the overall color of an engagement ring. Other alloys are meant to make the ring strong and durable. This means that the customer will enjoy the ring more.

Hypoallergenic Properties in White Gold vs. Platinum

Another characteristic of platinum that makes it more valuable than white gold is that it’s bio-compatible. This means that people who suffer from metal allergies won’t get any reaction from platinum rings. Platinum rings are safer than other types of rings for people with skin sensitivities. Gold is also a hypoallergenic metal, but since white gold is made up of different compositions of alloys such as zinc and nickel, it may cause skin irritations. An alloy of gold, copper, silver is the best type of white gold ring because it is hypoallergenic. Alex and Company guide customers on jewelry properties to help them make informed jewelry buying decisions.

Color in White Gold vs. Platinum

White gold and platinum are both silver-hued metals. However, only one of these precious metals. White gold is created, while platinum is all-natural. White gold is not naturally available. To get white gold, the natural yellow gold is mixed with other metals, giving it a yellowish-whitish color. A highly reflective metal called rhodium is then used to plate the alloy, which gives it that lustrous look.
The problem with rhodium is that it wears out or flakes off after a period of time. This causes a dull or discolored appearance in white gold. This problem is solved by re-plating the white gold ring after 6 to 12 months. Platinum, on the other hand, has a natural whitish look.
Platinum, on the other hand, is a naturally white metal. The smooth, shiny look is brought out when the precious metal is polished. It is a strong and durable metal. However, it is also susceptible to scratches over time. In white gold vs. platinum, the difference in scratches lies in how both metals handle scratches. A little bit of white gold is left on the object that scratched it when it is scratched, and a slight groove will be seen on the ring’s surface. When platinum is scratched, it tends to displace itself since it’s more malleable. This makes way for any groove.

About Alex and Company Jewelers

Alex and Company is a family of jewelers that designs and sells unique and authentic jewelry in Newton, MA. They attend to their clients through appointments, offering exclusive jewelry Boston designs and jewelry financing to those who can’t afford to pay cash. To get more details about Alex and Company Jewelers, visit them at https://alexandcompany.com/