Platinum/ White Gold alloy mix question - which is hardest?

[Rye]

Hello -
I''ve spent hours reading posts on white gold vs platinum but haven''t been able to answer this question. Out of all the alloy mix options for 14k, 18k, 19k white gold and 900, 950 platinum, which one is the hardest? Is there a chart I can refer to? Thanks to John Pollard, I have an understanding of which metals are the whitest, now I just need to nail down which one will wear the best.

Our diamond will be set in a lucida-type, x-prong setting, so there will be a lot of smooth metal surface surrounding the stone. I''m not the type that will embrace scratches, dents, patina - overall signs of wear. I understand you can have both wg and platinum polished but I''d like to at least start out with the hardest metal possible.

Any/all feedback is appreciated.

Kelly

 

[Skippy123]

Hi Kelly, this article may be useful to you; it talks about hardness and wear

http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/47/1/An-Overview-Of-Common-Alloys-Used-In-Jewelry.aspx

 

[Rye]

This is a great resource. Thank you, Skippy!

By the way, do you have a preference - white gold vs. platinum? I need to decide by tomorrow so I''m welcoming all opinions.

 

[oldminer]

At one time it was most common for 18K and the rare 19K white gold to be very hard, almost brittle. Now, with advancement in alloys we have platinum and gold that can both be very hard and durable. I suppose white gold gtends to be generally "harder", but wide exceptions apply so you just can''t generalize. The newest white gold alloys are very white color, too. White gold is so much less costly and it is not a problem for most mountings. Also, white gold is lighter, so there is less gettinbg used to wearing the ring. Its all rather minor differences. Platinum definitely has the reputation for being put into higher quality jewelry. It is more your choice rather then a pure science.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 7/20/2008 5:50:01 PM
Author: Rye
This is a great resource. Thank you, Skippy!

By the way, do you have a preference - white gold vs. platinum? I need to decide by tomorrow so I''m welcoming all opinions.

Well, WG is lighter and will stay shiny longer and platinum is heavier and patina''s so I take my ring into be polish from time to time. I own both so I guess it is all personal preference like Dave says.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

which is harder - glass or steel?

Answer glass

Which will dent the most - WG or platinum

platinum

which will you see the dents in the most?

white gold

 

[Rye]

So, according to my research on PS and other sites, I’ve concluded the following:

If one is searching for a ring setting that will dent/scratch the least and will not need to be plated, palladium white gold is a good choice. Regarding platinum, 95% platinum/5% ruthenium (Vickers hardness = 135) or 90% platinum/ 10% iridium (Vickers hardness = 110) are good choices as well.

How’d I do? Am I missing anything?

One more question, does palladium white gold have the same “yellowing” issues as white gold alloyed with nickel (hence the need for plating)?

I''m sorry if my questions have already been addressed in other threads. I''ve read so many my eyes are going cross-eyed - I can''t scan anymore!

Thank you.
Kelly

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

You are wrong

Date: 7/21/2008 1:29:58 PM
Author: Rye

So, according to my research on PS and other sites, I’ve concluded the following:

If one is searching for a ring setting that will dent/scratch the least and will not need to be plated, palladium white gold is a good choice. It is a greyish colour
Regarding platinum, 95% platinum/5% ruthenium (Vickers hardness = 135) or 90% platinum/ 10% iridium (Vickers hardness = 110) are good choices as well. harder to dent and there for the dents will be fewer and more easily seen = you will need to polish frequently as opposed to developing a patina which takes longer with harder alloys

How’d I do? Am I missing anything?

One more question, does palladium white gold have the same “yellowing” issues as white gold alloyed with nickel (hence the need for plating)?

I''m sorry if my questions have already been addressed in other threads. I''ve read so many my eyes are going cross-eyed - I can''t scan anymore!

Thank you.
Kelly

 

[Rye]

Ok, the mist is clearing. Thanks, Garry. If I may, two more questions:

Does palladium white gold have the same “yellowing” issues as white gold alloyed with nickel?

And lastly, this is a chart John Pollard posted on PS. The 18K gold line doesn''t mention an alloy companion. How would a palladium alloy affect its HV rating (if at all)?

# 18K Gold = 125 HV…29,000 PSI
# Pt900/Ir = 110HV…55,000 PSI
# Pt950/Ir = 80HV…40,000 PSI
# Pt950/Ru = 130HV…66,000 PSI
# Pt950/Co = 135HV…64,000 PSI

Thank you!