Platinum has recently gained a lot of popularity in the jewelry industry. More and more people are choosing platinum for their engagement rings other the traditional metals. Ultimately, the most consequential question is, when it comes to your preferences, is platinum better than gold?
Platinum is a great investment as it is one of the highest-quality precious metals for jewelry. However, yellow gold and white gold are still some of the most common metals for engagement rings.
If you’re looking for a platinum engagement ring, make sure you know about the difference between platinum and white gold or yellow gold.
What Is Platinum?
Platinum is one of the most durable metals. It also has a beautiful inherent white color, making it perfect for a diamond ring. Platinum rings surely shine almost as bright as diamonds.
Platinum is a naturally white crystalline metal. It is a malleable metal but also very durable for the jewelry you wear daily.
Why is Platinum Used in Jewelry?
If you want a silver-colored ring, you may be deciding between platinum or white gold. Both gold and platinum are great choices for wedding bands and engagement rings, but platinum has an edge over gold for several reasons.
Platinum has become popular in jewelry because of its durability and elegance. Many people are investing in platinum engagement rings for a long-lasting ring that doesn’t tarnish.
Others prefer platinum jewelry over white gold jewelry because platinum is a higher quality metal than white gold. It has a luxurious feel and is a hypoallergenic metal, so people with sensitive skin can wear platinum without any irritations.
Can You Engrave Platinum?
Platinum can certainly be engraved. With current engraving technology, engraving can be super precise and detailed. Gold, palladium, and silver are also etched without problems. Platinum is still a great choice if you want to engrave your wedding ring.
Different Types of Gold in Jewelry
Gold is probably the most popular metal used for jewelry. There are many different kinds of gold you can shop for in various colors.
Gold Colors
White and yellow gold are the most popular types of gold for engagement rings.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is the most traditional gold. It is pure gold mixed with other metal alloys to give the traditional gold color. Yellow gold rings may have traces of copper, zinc, or silver in them.
White Gold
White gold has a silver color but is still gold. It is made by mixing white metals like nickel, palladium, or silver with pure gold. A white gold ring will also have a rhodium plating which contributes to the white metal color.
Rose Gold
Rose gold, also called pink gold, is a very feminine and romantic gold. It is made by mixing gold with copper alloys and other metals, which gives it a unique pink color. Since many things can be the color rose gold, it’s important to make sure you are getting an authentic rose gold when buying jewelry.
Gold Content
The percent gold content determines how much pure gold is mixed in the jewelry. 24-karat gold is too soft for jewelry, so most gold is mixed with other metals. This gives it a unique color and more durability.
18k and 14k Gold
For example, 18-karat gold has a mixture of 75% gold and 25% other metal. Other jewelry may be made out of 14-karat gold which has 58.3% gold and 41.7% other alloys.
The less pure gold a metal has, the more durable it is. While 18-karat gold may be more expensive because it has more pure gold, it is actually less durable than 14-karat gold.
You can find 18-karat and 14-karat gold in all colors.
Platinum Vs. White Gold
Both platinum and white gold are white metals. However, there are still quite a few differences between the two metals.
White gold is an alloy of gold and other metals. White gold rings also have rhodium plating on the outside of the ring.
Because white gold has other metals mixed in, it may turn yellow or wear out over time. The color of white gold can fade over time with continuous rubbing.
This is because the rhodium plating on a white gold ring fades with everyday wear. About every two to three years, the ring will need to be re-plated.
Overall Pros and Cons of Platinum
Platinum has a lot of pros, but there are also other factors to consider before you buy platinum jewelry.
Pros of Platinum
Here are some of the main pros of buying a platinum ring.
- Wedding rings made of platinum are more durable than gold, making it harder to scratch or dent them
- As an almost entirely pure metal (90-95% pure), platinum is great for people with metal allergies
- Maintenance of platinum is less costly than for gold
- Scratches on a platinum ring can be burnished without losing any of the metal
- Unlike white gold, platinum won’t turn yellow or turn colors over time
Cons of Platinum
There are still many reasons why more people may prefer white gold or yellow gold over platinum for their jewelry. Here are some of the cons to consider before buying platinum.
- Platinum is more expensive than gold and may be out of budget
- Platinum scratches easier than 14-karat gold which means more maintenance to polish it
- Many ring styles may not be available in platinum
Which Metal Should I Choose?
Whatever metal you choose for an engagement ring or other jewelry is ultimately up to you. There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding on gold vs. platinum.
For people with more active lifestyles, 14-karat gold is a good choice because it is very durable. Platinum is softer than 14-karat gold and will scratch more often. If you don’t want to have to get your ring polished frequently, then platinum may not be the best choice.
Also, if you prefer a different metal color, you’ll most likely be shopping for gold jewelry. Yellow gold rings are popular, and rose gold is another metal that has a unique color. Platinum only comes in one color.
Platinum is a Long Term Investment
However, if you plan to wear the ring for a long time and even pass it on to your children, it’s important to consider that when gold scratches, the gold wears away. When platinum scratches, no metal is lost, and by polishing it, it will be good as new.
As a pure precious metal, platinum is a forever piece of jewelry that feels luxurious without being flashy. It is something that will last for generations to come.
Cost of Platinum Rings
Platinum is rarer than gold, so it is more expensive. It also doesn’t wear down like gold which contributes to its price.
Most platinum jewelry will cost more than the same style in gold. This is an extra upfront cost, but many believe it is worth it since platinum will last forever.
Comparing Platinum and White Gold Rings
Platinum may cost 40 – 50% more than white gold because of its rarity. In addition, more platinum is required to make a ring because of its density.
If you’re shopping for a ring that has an intricate design or is super detailed, you will probably pay even more for platinum.
Platinum is expensive but still comes at affordable prices. Take into consideration the value of the product before making a judgment on the extra cost of platinum. Different retailers will price their jewelry differently, so be sure to check if the prices are fair before buying.
The Julia Ring
The Julia Ring is a simple solitaire engagement ring from Clean Origin that is offered in 14k gold, 18k gold, and platinum.
- 14k white gold, it costs $720.
- 18k white gold, it costs $930.
- In platinum, it costs $1045.
Men’s Classic Domed Band
This simple men’s wedding band comes in white gold and platinum.
- 14k white gold, it costs $225.
- 18k white gold, it costs $258.
- In platinum, it costs $335.
Nova Halo Ring
As a more intricate engagement ring, the Nova Halo Ring features a stunning diamond halo that gives the appearance of an extremely large diamond. The halo setting and small diamonds flanking the center stone make this ring shine like no other.
It is offered in all the metals sold by Clean Origin.
- 14k white gold, it costs $2475.
- 18k white gold, it costs $3185.
- In platinum, it costs $3570.
Engagement Rings
Whether you’re sold on platinum or not, if you’re shopping for an engagement ring, you also have to think about the diamond.
There are different diamond shapes and styles of diamonds you can choose for your ring. Platinum will complement any diamond and make it sparkle and shine even more.
You should also think about the setting of the diamond. A solitaire ring features a single center diamond, and the band may be set with smaller diamonds or be completely smooth. The halo setting features a center diamond surrounded by a circle of small stones called accent stones.
Clean Origin Platinum Rings
Clean Origin offers many engagement ring styles in platinum. You can browse our selection online to find the perfect wedding ring for you or your partner.
