A while ago I published a post that talked about the Difference Between Yellow White & Rose Gold. The next step is smelting. Platinum and white gold resemble each other aesthetically, but differ in composition, density, hardness and other properties. Platinum is a natural white metal, while white gold is given its color artificially by alloying gold with silver or palladium and by adding rhodium plating to it. It’s platinum’s rarity that makes it generally more valuable than white gold, hence the higher price tag. As mentioned above, platinum will always stay white but white gold needs to be re-polished and re-plated occasionally to avoid a yellow hue. Platinum has the most luminescent white hue of all metals used for jewelry. The two main differences between platinum and white gold are the composition and price. However, the disadvantage is that you may need to have your white gold item recoated in rhodium every so often. Effectively your net platinum weight will not change over time, due to scratching. Meaning of Jewellery Symbols and Signs – Which is Yours? We have often been asked by customers what the differences are between white gold and platinum. What’s the difference, we hear you asking? Hardness and Malleability. 1. Platinum is a natural white metal, while white gold is given its color artificially by alloying gold with silver or palladium and by adding rhodium plating to it. Platinum does not micro-scratch the same as Gold, but actually “furrows” instead. Not all platinum is the same, you do see on the market platinum pt600 or pt800. Did you find this article useful? Platinum also has a shine, but it does not last very long. Nikhil Says: January 30th, 2014 at 1:28 pm. Platinum is 30 times rarer than gold. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Pros: Palladium is slightly harder than platinum on the Mohs scale and is slightly more scratch resistant than platinum. White gold became popular in the 1920's as an inexpensive alternative for platinum. 12 Tips Before You Buy. Platinum is the original luxury precious metal of choice. Afterwards, it’s given a beautiful coating with a rare, silvery-white metal called rhodium. However, it can be argued that platinum is better than white gold because it is more cost-effective in the long run (no need for recoating) and has better investment value in the long term. The highest quality white gold is usually at least 17 karat, and made up of gold and palladium, sometimes with trace levels of platinum for weight and durability. Platinum is also more durable than gold, particularly when it is blended with a small percentage of Iridium or ruthenium to toughen it up, which is one of the reasons it is a popular choice for engagement rings. Platinum and white gold are two altogether different metals. Diffen LLC, n.d. Gold comes in different karats and color forms. Platinum is also highly reflective and is 60% denser than gold. Platinum is not measured on a karat scale, but … January's Birthstone Meaning. Platinum vs White Gold . In order to obtain pure platinum, the ore is crushed, made into a slurry, and then mixed with a detergent containing 'collector' molecules. This is especially true for engagement and wedding rings worn on your hand day in day out, as they come into constant contact with hard surfaces. Platinum doesn’t fade to yellow like white gold but the finish will dull, so like white gold, platinum jewelry may require some maintenance to keep it shiny. Any prices quoted in this article are meant as guidelines, not offers, and may change any time after the publishing. Platinum is a naturally occurring white metal. Thank You Arlene Belk. This is. This is inconvenient and the cost can add up over the years. However, as we’ve already covered, pure gold is too soft for use in jewellery. So, two brand new, unworn rings, one platinum and one 18ct white gold would look very similar, indeed, many people would find it difficult to choose between them. Finally, both gold and platinum in their pure state can be scratched even with the nails; however, platinum is heavier and unlike gold, it is white by nature. Being a Jeweler would he not be able to tell the difference between white gold and Platinum. Platinum and palladium are both naturally white metals that will stay white forever. Because of its hardness, platinum can be used in a purer form than gold. Platinum is a chemical element with the atomic symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. The distinction in expense is principally because of platinum’s extraordinariness and more elevated level of immaculateness in platinum gems. It’s made from yellow gold mixed with white metal alloys like palladium or silver. 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