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Platinum and white gold are two popular choices for engagement rings, but what sets them apart?
In this article, we’ll explore their unique qualities, durability, and maintenance requirements, so you can confidently choose the perfect metal for your special ring.
Gold
Did You Know?
One ounce of gold can be beaten into a sheet that is much thinner than paper.
One ounce of gold can be drawn into a thin wire 50 miles long.
All the gold that has ever been mined would fill up 3 1/2 Olympic swimming pools.
All the worldwide gold production in a single year would fit in a
20 by 30-foot room with a 8-foot ceiling.
Gold has been a favorite choice for jewelry throughout history. Its natural form stands up against rust and tarnish, keeping its shine year after year. This lasting beauty is why people still treasure gold, passing it down through families and generations.
Pure gold bends and scratches easily, so jewelers rarely use it by itself. To make it sturdier and easier to shape, they mix gold with other metals. Yellow gold often includes small amounts of zinc or cobalt, along with silver and copper, to boost its strength and keep its warm color. These blends let gold jewelry hold up to daily wear while still showing off its natural shine.
White gold blends pure gold with other metals like zinc, palladium, nickel, manganese, or copper. These extra metals blend with gold to give white gold its soft, silvery color and more strength.
Jewelry makers use stamps to show how pure the metal is. In the United States, laws say that gold pieces must have their karat marked with numbers like 14K or 18K. You can easily spot the stamp that tells you how pure the metal is. Just check the inside of the ring’s band.
Outside the US, many jewelers use a three-digit stamp instead. This number shows the amount of gold in each thousand parts of metal. For instance, when you see a 750 stamp on a ring from Italy, it means the ring is 18-karat gold. A 585 mark means the piece is 14-karat gold. These numbers help buyers understand what they are getting, whether the jewelry is made in America or overseas.
What you should know about Gold
Gold is more resistant to scratching than platinum.
White gold is not completely white. It is plated with rhodium to make it bright and shiny. In time,
the plating will begin to fade and it will need to be replated. This is a simple process at a
reputable jeweler. It’s relatively inexpensive (approx $75) and takes a few minutes.
It is estimated that 10-12% of the female population is allergic to nickel (which is often used
in white gold jewelry). If you want white gold and you suspect you are allergic to it, you can
ask if the mounting is made with nickel. Platinum and its alloys are also an option
because it does not cause allergic reactions.
Gold prongs will wear over time. Diamond jewelry should be checked every 6 months
at a reputable jeweler. They can professionally clean your ring at that time. Prongs should be
re-tipped or replaced if recommended by the jeweler rather than take a chance of losing a diamond.
Platinum
Did you know…
Spanish conquistadors were the first Europeans to encounter platinum.
They considered it a nuisance because it had a similar appearance
to the silver they were seeking.
Platinum was first discovered as a distinct metal in the 1700’s. Its real moment in the spotlight came during the 1920s and 1930s, when platinum jewelry was highly sought after. This demand did not last, though. During World War II, the U.S. government classified platinum as a strategic resource and banned its use in jewelry. Today, platinum jewelry is enjoying a strong comeback, with more people drawn to its unique luster and lasting beauty.
Platinum jewelry carries the “Platinum” stamp when it holds at least 95 percent pure platinum. If a piece contains between 85 and 95 percent, you’ll see marks like “950 Plat” or “950 Pt” and “850 Plat” or “850 Pt.” These numbers show the actual platinum content, making it easy to understand what you’re buying.
Platinum is often mixed with rare metals like iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, and osmium. The blend keeps the bright, white luster that makes platinum engagement rings so special. With this mix, the ring stands up to daily wear while holding on to that clean, shining look.
What you should know about Platinum
Platinum does not require rhodium plating like white gold. Its natural grayish-white color
and non-tarnishing quality make it ideal for setting diamonds in engagement rings.
Platinum will scratch and in time develop a satin-like finish which many consider desirable.
Platinum requires minimal maintenance.
Platinum and its alloys do not cause allergic reactions.
Platinum is known for its secure, diamond-holding power and durability.
