At one look, it can be hard to distinguish a platinum vs white gold engagement ring band because they have the same white color. However, as you’ll learn in this article, there are significant differences between the two popular metal choices. If you still don’t know which of them you will put on your bride-to-be’s finger, keep reading.
Which Engagement Ring Should You Buy?
Torn between platinum vs white gold engagement ring? For your shopping consideration, here are the things you have to remember.
Consider your budget
Price is one of the biggest differentiators between platinum vs white gold engagement ring. Going for platinum will take up a huge chunk of your engagement (and wedding) budget but will be more cost-effective in the long run. But if you’re concerned with your current financial capacity, white gold engagement rings won’t also let you down. They’re still gold, after all.
Find the right jeweler
Your jeweler can make the whole buying — and ownership — experience easier for you. Apart from getting guaranteed and certified engagement rings, you can count on reputable brands and shops to offer reliable after-sales services such as re-plating and resizing.
Style matters, but never forget about comfort
We get it. You want to buy an engagement ring matching your bride-to-be’s personality and style. Whether she prefers a minimalist band or a grander one (i.e., a ring with a sparkling diamond center stone, complete with intricate detailing in the metal), there’s one thing you should never forget: comfort. Make sure you get the right ring size and that the ring won’t have elements that could cause allergic reactions.
Reputable jewelers such as James Allen, Blue Nile, and Zales, among others, have ready-to-ship engagement rings and custom-made rings. You can easily pick the type of metal to use for your ring and the diamond to add that sparkle of forever when you pop the question.
Platinum Engagement Rings Pros & Cons
One of the rarest jewelry metals, platinum exudes an unmistakable elegance. Not to say that feelings can be measured in material things — but your investing in such a valuable engagement ring would speak volumes.
However, know that it has its upsides and downsides. Here are the key things you need to know.
Composition
Pure platinum is too soft that it won’t be a practical material for jewelry. This is why master crafters mix them with other elements. In the jewelry world, you’ll find top-notch platinum rings composed of 95% platinum and 5% palladium or cobalt.
Because the main element in a platinum ring is denser and is present in more amounts than its white gold ring counterpart, it is heavier. This weight further adds to the jewelry piece’s luxurious feel.
Price
If we’re talking about white gold vs platinum price, the latter will be significantly more valuable than the former. Some experts estimate that, on average, platinum rings will be 40 to 50% pricier.
This isn’t only because platinum is a rarer metal than gold. Its alloy, palladium, is also more expensive than gold. Combining these two in a ring will certainly drive the price tag upward.
Another reason is the purity of the ring: As stated, platinum rings have 95% platinum. On a side note, the 95% purity of platinum rings also makes them a true hypoallergenic metal. If your partner has sensitive skin, consider proposing with a platinum engagement ring.
Color
Platinum rings are naturally white. The element that jewelers mix with platinum seal the rings’ undeniable luster. When put side by side with white gold rings, they even have a silvery, metallic hue.
The greatest thing about platinum rings is that they will retain their color for a long time — unlike white golds, which could develop yellowish tints due to wear and tear. Platinum is the metal to choose if you don’t want to be bothered by constant re-plating.
Durability
Engagement rings and wedding bands are some of the most-worn jewelry pieces. Therefore, durability is a huge factor to consider when choosing between platinum and gold rings.
Both metals are hard-wearing when worn and maintained with care. However, platinum is more durable, thanks primarily to platinum’s dense composition. It’s also more resistant to tarnish.
But keep in mind that platinum isn’t exempted from getting scratched. Compared to gold, platinum is the softer metal. It means that it can be more prone to scratches than white golds with 14 karats or below (In jewelry, the higher the karat, the softer the metal will be).
The “scratches” here are like tiny bumps and ridges that may develop over time — not the usual losing of particles attached to the word.
Popularity
Considering that platinum is scarce, many brides-to-be would love to wear them more than white golds. Rings with this metal simply give off that opulent vibe.
This consumer preference can also be traced to the fact that the color of platinum engagement rings won’t fade and will have hints of yellow. The lack of need for re-plating compensates for their more expensive upfront cost.
White Gold Engagement Rings Pros & Cons
Is your significant other a huge fan of the gold-made jewelry items — but not quite of their classic yellow color? White golds will come to the rescue. It’s a type of gold metal that has a white color. To the naked eye, it looks just like the pricier platinum.
Thinking of going for a white gold engagement ring? Here are the pros and cons to consider.
Composition
Pure gold is yellow (sometimes with a reddish hint). Jewelers combine gold with other metals such as silver, nickel, zinc, or copper, and plate the final metal with rhodium, to give it a white look.
Nickel and copper can trigger allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. So be sure to check the alloy’s composition before buying any engagement ring.
Price
As stated, white gold rings are on the more inexpensive side of the spectrum. But as the rhodium plating could fade in the long run, you would need to set aside a budget for re-plating. Though this process isn’t that expensive, the cost of traveling to and from a jewelry shop once in a while could add up.
Color
Why invest in constant re-plating? The rhodium plating is responsible for this ring’s bright white appeal. Without it, your bride’s ring will have a yellowish hue and may appear dull as time goes by.
Durability
When it comes to platinum vs white gold durability, white gold has an advantage in the sense that it’s not as scratch-prone as platinum. However, the former is still the more durable metal all in all.
But if what you want is something that can be durable enough for everyday wear, white gold is still a strong contender.
Popularity
Platinum appeals to the market because of its scarcity and all the other perks attached to it. However, white gold has its fair share of patronizers. After all, it has a somewhat similar color and is a budget-friendly option if you want to ask for her hand in style.
