tip: platinum vs. white gold!

I went into the city last week to get our wedding bands. I have a platinum setting so naturally I wanted to stick with platinum. Fi wasnt sure if he should go with white gold or platinum.

heres the basic difference: $$$$$

the jeweler is a good friend of my fathers and he said that the only thing white gold does over the years is slightly discolor and I mean slightly. Platinum does not. but he said its nothing a good buff cant take out. I mean we go to get our rings buffed anyway.

My fi did go with platinum only because the jeweler gave us a huge break on his ring and he found one he really liked that happened to be platinum.

But that was the only difference.

Hope that helps!!

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

ditto on that point. Besides changing a white gold mounting is defintely cheaper than changing a platinum mounting. I agree with one of the previous posts, ditch the platinum and get a big diamond

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

Here are some other differences besides cost:

As you search for engagement rings, you primarily have two options for settings: platinum or gold (yellow or white). We've tried to analyze the basic differences and similarities between these two metals below.

Platinum is more expensive

because there is less platinum in the world and a greater demand for it than gold.

Platinum is a very rare Precious Metal. Platinum is extremely difficult to mine and is in high demand in industries other than Jewelry.

Platinum is also very dense. If you were to weigh two rings of equal size the Platinum ring will weigh approximately twice as much as the Gold ring.

Since Precious Metals are purchased by weight the heavier the ring the more it will cost.

Platinum is more durable.

Platinum is actually softer than gold in its pure form, however it is significantly more durable than gold due to its density.

Gold tends to wear over time as layers of metal are worn away, whereas platinum molecules adhere together more tightly and tend to resist wearing. All circumstances being equal platinum will outlast gold.

Platinum enhances the beauty of the inset stone

better than gold (especially yellow gold). Sometimes a setting of yellow gold around a diamond or other gem will compete with the beauty of the set stone.

On other hand, platinum's white color and overall sophisticated and refined look never competes with the color of the inset stone(s); in fact, its deep, almost incandescent luster entirely complements the gem's inherent qualities.

With regard to a diamond engagement ring, when the diamond is closely surrounded by platinum, there is no extraneous color cast on the stone, so the diamond reflects maximum sparkle and brilliance.

Both platinum and gold are graded on a purity scale

, which demonstrates the proportions of other mixtures used within each metal for jewelry making purposes.

Since gold is more malleable than platinum, it is usually blended with small amounts of copper, ore and even silver. The added component gives gold it's shades of white, yellow, orange, rose and even green and adds more durability.

For platinum, a very hard and difficult to work with metal, iridium is added to soften it up and make it more workable yet preserve its long lasting qualities in jewelry.

In the purity scales for both metals, proportions of the mixture determine the purity of the precious metal used.

In gold jewelry, the proportions determine the grading scale, which we know as 10k 14k, 18k, 22k and even 24k. The purer or higher the gold karat, the harder it is to work into jewelry. Therefore 18k gold is the grade of choice for many jewelry leaders.

Similarly, platinum comes in grades of PT900 and PT950. The higher the number is, the higher the quality of the precious metal.

PT900 indicates purity of platinum utilized in the jewelry industry, where the proportion of the mixture is 90% - pure platinum, and 10% - iridium.


PT950 indicates the highest purity of platinum utilized in the jewelry industry, where the proportion of the mixture is 95% - pure platinum, and 5% - iridium.

(I copied this from a wedding/e-ring site.

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

my engagement ring is platinum and due to the high cost of planning the wedding I had a tough decision to make about my wedding band.

I could not find anything I liked. Then I found a few rings in platinum with diamonds....woo hooo the price was outragous. I do not think your wedding band should cost as much as your engagement ring!

well, i was very upset because I wanted a platinum band and the only one I could afford was with out any diamonds.

hello fleamarket find!

just on a whim mil and i go to attias flea market hoping to see something nice. first place we went found it. it is an insert, white gold with 12 diamond chips in a setting from the 1920's. the price $350! Sold! I have never seen one like it before, nor do I think I will see one again.

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

I owned a platinum ring once.

I wore it to my classes every day. No hard work, no manual labor, no sports, nothing. Classes.

It broke. Twice. I took it back to the store where we bought it, where they assured me that it was platinum, because it had the markings that platinum had to have. (put those markings on me, I'll be platinum! ) The ring had also lost its lustre and was quite dull looking.

I returned it for a white gold ring. My E-Ring is also white gold.

It's prettier, more durable, and much more affordable. I agree with whomever said to ditch the platinum and get a big rock!

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

My 2cents: I love my platunim ring! I got it steam cleaned and buffed out and it comes out like the day I bought it. I would agree though, to get the bigger diamond and get gold or white gold If thats what youd rather have. I CANT wear gold because I'm allergic to it, and Platinum is the only thing that never gave me a problem. And its the most beautiful piece of jewlery I ever owned.

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

I know too many women who lost their big diamond in a white gold setting.
My FI told me that if he was going to spend that much money on a
diamond, he is going to make sure it stays!
My ring is a solitaire and aside from the weekly cleaning riutal, it stays
shiney and beautiful. I get compliments all the time.

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

I heard that it's not good to have two different metals rubbing against each other in jewelry. Anyone know if this applies to say a white gold ring and a platinum one? Does it cause one to discolor/damage quicker/easier?

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

I have 2 platinmum rings (my e-ring and another one) they are the most durable rings I own. They are both rings that I wear constantly and neither one shows that. I am a klutz and am constantly banging my ring on things but if you look at either you would never know. I agree platinum is more $$$ but I so think its worth it. The look of my diamond in the setting is gorgeous and I truly believe it has to do with the platinum as well the quality of the diamond.

Personally, I say go with an equal combo of size and quality and you wont get much better quality than platinum!

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

Although platinum is more $$$, I feel that is worth it. The durability and the shine (imo) far outweighs that of white gold. And for me, I don't want to be worrying that my ring will discolor over time...at all...even if it is slight.

I have a platinum solitare e-ring and a platinum pave diamond eternity band as my wedding band and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Obviously though, if the $$$ is key and you need to save those extra dollars, WG is a good option b/c you get the look of platinum at the cost of gold.

just my $.02

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

Personally, I think platinum is a heavier metal & stronger, especially for the setting.

Furthermore, when platinum gets marks or 'patinas' it enhances the metal, whereas White Gold scratches & dulls it. I have my great grandmother's platinum ring & it looks better each year, whereas my WG ring needs to be 'dipped' frequently to remain lusterous.

JMHO.....

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

I have to agree with the others who feel the platinum is worth every $$$ spent.

Also, if you have a platinum e-ring and buy a white gold wedding band - you will notice the difference immediately. Platinum is a greyer metal whereas white gold is whiter (and as mentioned, will discolor over time). I don't think it matters if you wear the rings on seperate hands, but you can def see it if you wear them together.

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

I agree that platinum is worth the extra $$.

White gold is yellow gold dipped in chemicals (I think it's rhodium), thus it will fade and turn back to yellow over time and you must get it re dipped.

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

Also keep in mind gold molds to your finger in time - so if you have white gold you can bend the ring - I know people who have done that and they have to get it reshaped if they are hard on their hands.

Every jeweler we looked at (and I spoke to my aunt who owned a jewelery store years ago) All said you will have to re-rhodium plate it every 3-5 years or it will noticable yellow.

Also I was told at the places if you have white gold to get white gold band but if you have plat if you wear a white gold band that it will yellow MUCH quicker. Honestly you don't save that much money - but your ring also have a higher value - I say if money is an issue get FH the white gold ring and you the plat. That is what we plan on doing.

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

I also agree that platinum is worth the $$$. Gold doesn't scratch up as much, but it definitely discolors!!
My engagment ring is platinum, but my wedding band is white gold because I fell in love with it and it wasn't available in plat.
I wear them on different hands so it doesn't really matter much, but my wedding band has totally discolored and needs to be dipped soon. And I've worn it for a full year less than my enagagement ring!

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

the wedding memories fade...but you wear your rings EVERYDAY!! I am so glad that I took time and spent the money for 2 good rings (well DH did...but thats besides the point)


and if you think you are going to buy a nicer one on your 1 year anniversary...it most likely will not happen...there are so many expenses as you start your new life together...


just my $.02

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

THats what my jeweler also said! She favors- white gold over platinum (not sure why). I think it depends on taste.

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!

ladies, i agree that i love platinum and its durable and all of that. but for the women out there who cant afford the platinum ring, i was just saying that white gold isnt that bad either. thats all. believe me i love my platinum ring and wouldnt change it but it still is a big difference in price and I feel girls shouldnt break the bank just for a platinum ring....

Re: tip: platinum vs. white gold!