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Platinum vs White Gold

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Jo

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 20, 2004
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Platinum is softer than white gold. So why does platinum seem to be more popular for ring settings?
 
In my opinion, there are a few of reasons:

1. Loss of metal: when platinum is nicked, the metal gets "pushed around" on the setting (because it is so soft), so there is no loss of metal. With white gold, the metal actually comes off, so there is a net loss of material.

2. Wear: when platinum is worn a lot, it develops what people call a "patina" -- sort of a softer, less-shiny look that many people prefer. White gold may stay shiny (and should never get that softer look), but may also change color over time. This is because white gold sometimes has to be rhodium-plated (typically because some white gold alloys exhibit a yellowish color) to give you that shiny, silver color. Rhodium is a very hard substance (which could also contribute to the hardness of WG). Over time, the rhodium wears away and you may see the yellow of the gold alloy peeking through -- so you would have to get the ring rhodium-plated again (some people hate this maintenance of white gold).

3. Weight: Platinum has a more substantial feel than white gold -- some people like how heavy it feels on the finger.

4. Cost and rarity: Platinum is much more expensive because it is rarer. Some people like to know they are getting a metal that''s considered rare and "high-end".

5. Purity: Platinum metal is used in an almost-pure state (>90-ish percent platinum) for settings, whereas white gold is an alloy that is not so pure (i.e., 14K, 18K, etc).
 
I agree with everything elsie mentioned. Also some people''s body chemistry causes people to have to replate their WG jewelry every year which would be a huge pain and extra expense. Some people also have metal allergies.
 
There are newer alloys for WG that do not require rhodium plating. My three stone is a stuller setting made from X1 14K and it is WHITE! I have had it since last May and I have worn it everyday...it is still as white as the day I got it, and it has not been rhodium plated once.

Some people like the patina of platinum, but I don''t so that is what helped me decide on the WG.
 
My personal preference is white gold - I like the SHINE!
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I have replated and polished my rings 1x in 7-years. It was around $60 for that service.
 
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