PLATINUM OR WHITE GOLD? your opinions

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Posted by beautyq115

Well I have a platinum engagment ring...but I am considering a white gold wedding band only because my e-ring gets scratched to easily

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here is a great website that explains both metals: link

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


More info here...

I love platinum!

there are positives and negatives to both, MORE THAN JUST MONEY too- so I would get whatever matches your Engagement ring

personal preference is white gold although platinum is beautiful as well...had nothing to do with budget, just preference

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Posted by beautyq115

Well I have a platinum engagment ring...but I am considering a white gold wedding band only because my e-ring gets scratched to easily

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i was thinking the same thing.....is there a noticable difference though? next to each other?

Since I have a band of each, I will post both to see if anyone here can tell which is which.

Here's 2 pics. One of the bands is white gold, the other is platinum. Can you see which one is which or can you tell the difference?

w/o a doubt platinum (if it is in your price range)

it is the most precious metal for jewelery & much more valuable than gold. platinum rings are also purer than gold.

white gold loses its color & will need constant redipping in rhodium

fyi, everything scratches. some jewelers give a very high polish to their platinum pieces and thus the scratches may seem more visable to you. over time platinum looks better (platina)

however, white gold is nice too if platinum is out of your budget. but if its in your budget, than i would go for platinum.

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Posted by Goldi1021

I am reading these posts and I have to wonder that if a person has the same band throughout their marriage (and lets hope we are all blessed with a long marriage), how can we expect our rings NOT to show signs of wear. Its not a vanity thing, its a longevity thing.

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I couldn't agree more. I happen to love 'wear and tear'...I expect my rings to turn over time, just like my marriage.

If your engagement ring is platinum, then go for a platinum wedding band.
If you have a white gold engament ring, then a white gold band.

I just must add

I have been wearing white gold for years and have all different necklaces, rings, bracelets etc.. and I have yet to have to have any of them re dipped EXCEPT one very light bracelect that FH got me for my 18th birthday (Im 24 now) and that was only once.

So I guess what Im saying is that I think people are exaggerating a bit when they say white gold needs to be CONSTANTLY redipped.

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Posted by Jen2999

I just must add

I have been wearing white gold for years and have all different necklaces, rings, bracelets etc.. and I have yet to have to have any of them re dipped EXCEPT one very light bracelect that FH got me for my 18th birthday (Im 24 now) and that was only once.

So I guess what Im saying is that I think people are exaggerating a bit when they say white gold needs to be CONSTANTLY redipped.

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I absolutely agree. My mother's wedding band is white gold. She got married in 1965 and it still looks super shiny and brand new.

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Posted by leighdvm

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Posted by Jen2999

I just must add

I have been wearing white gold for years and have all different necklaces, rings, bracelets etc.. and I have yet to have to have any of them re dipped EXCEPT one very light bracelect that FH got me for my 18th birthday (Im 24 now) and that was only once.

So I guess what Im saying is that I think people are exaggerating a bit when they say white gold needs to be CONSTANTLY redipped.

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I absolutely agree. My mother's wedding band is white gold. She got married in 1965 and it still looks super shiny and brand new.

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My mom too! Her e ring and wedding band are white gold and they are still beautiful with no redipping.