Posted by shellyru
I've heard that Platinum wears down and that you have to be careful since the stones might get loose. As far as price, I can afford the half eternity in platinum and the full eternity (I know I'm just making up these names![]()
) in 14K white gold. I'm leaning towards the eternity in 14K. Just worried about the color issue (which might not end up being an issue at all!).
I'm just quoting you but this applies to almost all responses. I HATE WHEN JEWELERS LIE!
![]()
Ladies, do your research and don't let anyone talk you into or out of what you want!!
![]()
ALL metals scratch...all metals tarnish...all metals dull. This applied to platinum, gold and silver.
All metal 'wears down' and the reason why stones become loose is not necessarily due to the metal, it has to do with the how you wear your ring and care for it. Over time, prongs do loosen and need to be tightened...no matter the metal! It is recommended that you take your e-ring and w-band (if it has stones) to a reputable jeweler once every six months...or at least once a year so that the prongs, the stone (s) and the shank (metal) can be checked for wear. At this time they should clean your ring and give it back looking brand new.
The below is from an old post. A search on the word 'platinum' will bring up many topics. Please don't let anyone talk so much tha they confuse you!!
I prefer platinum, but I just have to add this for some points that were made since no one should make a decision based on missonceptions:
1) Platinum, Gold and Silver (all precious metals) SCRATCH. Period. One doesn't scratch more than the other, one isn't more 'resilient' than the other. They all scratch. The difference is that white gold has a layer of rhodium so the scratches might not be as visible, especially if it's 'brushed' metal. But platinum is valued for its patina (long term it's considered vintage) which happens with scratches over time.
Also, platinum and silver can simply be polished when scratched, white gold needs to be polished and re-dipped in rhodium since that's what makes it 'white'.
2) The difference IS visible. Platinum is grayer in color, deeper. White gold is 'paler' and looks 'whiter'. So if you put a white gold band next to a platinum ring you can most definitely tell the difference. However, it's subtle, and if you're happy, who cares?
3) Platinum is NOT 'hard and expensive' to re-size. Whichever jeweler said that is a liar. Technically, white gold is harder to re-size because if you cut the metal and solder it together (whether to make smaller or adding metal to make larger) you will have to re-dip it in rhodium when finished to make white again. Platinum can simply be cut and soldered and the polished, no dipping needed. You should NEVER pay your original jeweler to make a ring smaller. Every jeweler should size down for free at least once. Why? Because they're just providing a service and
removing metal. There's no cost for additional metal like when you size up.
I truly hope this helps. Feel free to FM me with any questions and good luck!
![]()
Platinum vs White Gold from UltimateWedding.com
To understand the differences between these two metals you first need to understand what each of the metals are.
White Gold
White gold is an alloy of gold and white metals. White metals such as silver, nickel, palladium and platinum change the color of gold to a white color.
The properties of the white gold will vary depending upon which metals were mixed and the proportions used. Therefore, white gold alloys can be custom made for specific purposes, for example, alloys using nickel are very hard and strong and can be used for rings and pins. White alloys using palladium are softer and more pliable and can be used for settings to hold gemstones.
White gold is not strictly speaking white, it is a grey steel-like color which is treated to make the article look white. The treatment used is an electroplate of another metal called rhodium. Rhodium plating makes the finished white gold article look white, but unfortunately is wears off and the plating should be replaced approximately once a year.
Platinum
Platinum on the other hand is a white metal. Platinum is used as an almost pure metal, approximately 95% pure, whereas white gold is only 75% pure in 18ct and only 58.5% pure in 14ct.
Being a naturally white metal, platinum does not need the rhodium treatment, because it starts off white and will always stay white.
Platinum is more dense (heavier) than gold. You can feel a noticeable difference in weight between the same article made in platinum and gold.
Platinum's best property as far as jewelry is concerned is its abrasive resistance. Platinum rings and in particular platinum claws will still be in great condition many years after the equivalent gold article is worn away. This is quite amazing when you consider that platinum is relatively soft and bends more easily than gold.
Summary of Platinum's properties
- natural white color
- looks better than white gold when it is old and scratched
- feels heavier than gold
- will wear better and last longer than gold
- is very expensive
Summary of white gold's properties
- stronger than platinum
- more rigid than platinum
- half the price of platinum
