White Gold VS. Platinum — Which Is The Best Metal For Your Engagement Ring?

White gold and platinum are both beautiful metals that work well with engagement rings. They look similar but are actually very different from each other. We’re going to compare them in appearance, durability, cost, and comfort.
Appearance

White gold metal is made of gold, alloys, and rhodium plating. The plating is part of what gives this metal its white look. White and yellow gold have the exact same gold content, but the alloys in the white gold contribute to its white look as well.

Over time, the rhodium plating on white gold can fade. Re-plating is very simple and does not take much time. While wearing the ring, you should polish it routinely, and take it off if you’re going to come in contact with rough surfaces or harsh chemicals. Taking good care of a white gold ring will keep it shiny and white for a long time.

Platinum will always have a white look, even though it will show scratches very easily. It will need polishing, and it may need re-plating depending on how badly it is scratched. Platinum also appears to be more dull and less shiny in general.

Cost

White gold and platinum are very similar in price, but platinum is a denser metal, so more of it is needed to make a ring. Platinum rings are typically about 95 percent pure platinum, and white gold is 60 percent pure gold. In the making of a ring, platinum will usually be a little more expensive because of these facts.

Durability

There is a common misconception that platinum is stronger than white gold, which is not true. Platinum is actually a softer metal than white gold, and it is harder to maintain. It does not keep a high polish and dulls very easily. White gold is strong because of its alloy components, and it keeps a high polish for a long time.

Because platinum is a softer metal than white gold, it gets scratched very easily. However, when white gold is scratched, the gold actually gets scratched off, and the mark is very visible. When platinum gets scratched, the metal gets moved to a different spot on the ring, and it becomes very worn-looking. This worn look is called a patina finish, and many people actually want their ring to have this look because they want it to look antique. If you enjoy this look, then you won’t be too worried about your platinum ring becoming scratched.

Polishing both platinum and white gold will restore their original looks. You can purchase jewelry polish from your local jeweler.

It is important to know that when you’re choosing white gold, you should always select 14K over 18K. While 18K is considered to be more valuable, it is a very soft gold and will definitely get scratched. Jewelry that is 14K is much more scratch resistant and will cost you less money.

Comfort

Platinum rings will be heavier than white gold because platinum is denser. Some people do prefer wearing a heavier ring, while others think that the lightness of gold is much more comfortable. Choosing between white gold and platinum-based on the comfort of each is really a personal decision. If you’re unsure, you should go to the jeweler and try on both types of rings so you can make a valid decision.

Final thoughts

At Mark’s Diamonds, we encourage our customers to choose 14K white gold over platinum. However, we will gladly make the ring exactly how you like it. When it really comes down to it, all engagement rings are going to require some routine maintenance. That being said, you should definitely buy your engagement ring from a jeweler that has a lifetime warranty such as Mark’s Diamonds. We will typically re-plate, polish, and clean your rings for free. This will be very useful after a few years when your ring might have a few scratches and might look a little dull. Don’t forget to be very careful with your ring, and to take it off when you’re going to the gym, cleaning, or doing any other activity that might damage it.