What are the most popular metals used for wedding or engagement rings? The majority of couples opt for white gold or platinum, although there are many kinds of precious metals available. However, what is the difference between these two metals?
White gold- What is it?
It is important to choose the metal for the engagement ring according to the preferences of your partner. In addition to the karat weight, you need to consider durability, maintenance, color, sparkle, and price. But what exactly is white gold?
Among the metals used to make white gold are pure gold, nickel, silver, and palladium, which are usually coated with rhodium. White gold, however, is not entirely gold. By strengthening and improving the durability of white gold, other metals are used in jewellery. In white gold rings, the karat (14K versus 18K) and gold content determine the value.
Platinum- What is it?
Platinum is a naturally white metal whose pure form, 95-98%, is typically used for jewellery. As long as they both are maintained and cared for properly, platinum will look almost identical to white gold for many years to come.
How much does platinum cost? A simple platinum solitaire setting may cost approximately £200. The cost varies depending on factors such as the style of ring, the amount of platinum used, and where you purchase the ring.
Platinum versus white gold
Gold and platinum are dense, malleable, and ductile metals, which are used to make jewellery and industrial components. Throughout history, gold has served as a symbol of wealth. However, platinum is now more valuable than gold. There are other important differences between these two metals.
Gold is represented by the symbol Au in the periodic table of elements. Gold can be used in industrial applications because it is thermally and electrically conductive, and won't rust or corrode. However, gold is primarily used for jewelry and coins. White gold is not a naturally occurring substance; it is alloyed with white metals like silver, nickel, manganese, platinum, and palladium in order to attain its silvery hue. For white gold to attain the desired sheen, it is normally plated with rhodium. Rhodium must be replaced periodically so that the gold does not turn yellow.
The periodic table symbol for platinum is Pt. In addition to white gold, platinum is often used to make jewelry. Although it appears similar to white gold, the color of platinum is slightly grayer. Unlike white gold, platinum will not turn yellow, but the finish will dull over time, so platinum jewelry may require some maintenance in order to remain bright.
Reliability
Metallic elements such as white gold and platinum are both highly durable and react differently to impacts, pressure, and scratches.
Due to its density, platinum is a very durable metal that does not corrode easily. Platinum wedding rings can be worn for decades without losing their thickness. Despite its high polish and sharp edges, Platinum tends to lose its luster fairly quickly.
White Gold is not as dense as Platinum, however, and it is more rigid, which makes fine details more prominent. If you have engraved details, mill grain or square edges in your design, White Gold will preserve these details more effectively than Platinum. White Gold has the disadvantage of being more prone to wear.
Pricing
Platinum jewelry is generally more expensive than white gold jewellery. However, White Gold must be replaced periodically, resulting in additional maintenance costs over time, as opposed to Platinum, which only needs to be polished every few years. While platinum and gold are similar in price per gram, platinum is denser and therefore requires more material to produce an engagement ring. The price of platinum rings is considerably higher than that of white gold rings.
Allergic reactions
Since platinum is hypoallergenic, it makes it the perfect metal to use for those of us who suffer from allergies. Due to the nickel alloy it contains, there may be some individuals who are allergic to white gold.
Color
A platinum metal is a naturally white metal, whereas white gold is formed by combining pure gold (yellow in hue) with alloys such as palladium. Due to the presence of yellow metal, White Gold appears slightly gray or off-white. Surface treatments such as rhodium plating may be employed to remedy this problem.
Final Verdict
Although largely dependent on personal preference and style, it's helpful to understand the differences in composition and price of the various metals when choosing a wedding or engagement ring.
Platinum, for example, appears to be identical to the naked eye to white gold, but platinum is much more expensive.
Generally, jewellers recommend using more of your budget on diamonds than on platinum settings. Sogani Jewels London offers a collection of diamond rings of the highest quality.
