When it comes to any type of jewelry, whether you are buying it for yourself, getting an engagement ring, or buying it for someone else, it really pays to get to know the differences between all the different materials out there. Not just the stones if you are getting one with a stone, but the actual material of the jewelry itself. Two of the most common types of jewelry bought are platinum and white gold. But, these two materials are very different from each other. So what are the differences between white gold vs platinum, is one better than the other? Below, we will be talking about the positives and negatives of white gold vs platinum.
Cost Differences
For the question white gold vs platinum, you should be aware that right off the bat, platinum will cost more, but it might be worth it to you if you are purchasing something like an engagement ring. Platinum tends to be a better material, its rarer than white gold, and it has a higher purity level which brings the higher price tag. White gold, on the other hand, will cost less in the beginning, but over time, it will cost about the same because of upkeep costs. To top it off, platinum jewelry that us going to be sold, can also be sold for a higher cost than white gold.
Scratching White Gold vs Platinum
Since platinum is the better and stronger material, it makes sense that when its scratched, it shows very little wear and tear. This is mainly because of the strength of the material. White gold on the other hand, when scratched, will lose tiny slivers of the metal over time. If its scratched enough times, the plating on the jewelry will begin to show significant wear and tear.
What Is White Gold vs Platinum Made From?
Platinum, plain and simple, is a real white metal. On the other hand, white gold is a yellow gold that has been mixed with other materials like nickel. If you don’t replace the plating on white gold continuously over the time you have the jewelry, the material will start to have a yellow tint to it.
Diamond Settings
Since platinum is such a strong material, it creates the perfect setting for a diamond setting. For instance, on something like a diamond engagement ring, the metal setting will move rather than break completely. White gold might be pretty to look at, but its not an ideal option for a diamond setting. Its a brittle material so after some time has passed, the prongs that hold the diamond, or other stone, will break.
Allergic Reactions
If you’ve ever had a piece of jewelry that has given you an allergic reaction, chances are it was white gold or another material with nickel added to it. Platinum is a hypoallergenic material because its a pure gold. White gold is not. It has nickel in it which can cause reactions in some people.
Rarity White Gold vs Platinum
White gold is much more common than platinum. In fact, somewhere around 2700 tons of gold is mined and produced every single year to make jewelry. But, platinum is much rarer. You only get about 88 tons produced each year. This makes platinum more than 30x rarer than white gold.
As you can see here, the debate between white gold vs platinum isn’t just about the feel or it looking different. Platinum genuinely is the better material in all aspects, from rarity to strength, to how long its going to last.
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