Platnium or White Gold for an engagment ring? Whats really the difference?

Question

Is it worth the extra cost to get platnium?

Answer 1

The real difference is co$t. White Golds were developed to be substitute alloys (cheaper alternative) for platinum in jewelry. If you go with white gold, be sure to get a top grade so that it will keep a "white" color. Some white gold’s re just rhodium plated gold - and don't stay white long.

The standard for white gold is not determined by the alloying metals - but just by a Yellowness Index. There are three grade of white gold. Grade 1 is premium white grade with good white color, no need for rhodium plating. Grade 2 is Standard grade with a reasonable white color; rhodium plating is optional. And, Grade 3 is on off-white color that needs to be rhodium plated. http://www.gold.org/jewellery/technology/colours/white_guide.html

Answer 2

I can't wear white gold or gold since I am allergic to the nickel in it. My husband decided on platinum since he found out that it does not cause an allergic reaction when wearing it. I had no preference at all and did not really care as long as it was non allergic gold, silver or platinum.
Quote:
"Buyers of white gold engagement rings should be aware of the potential allergy posed by nickel, a metal commonly alloyed with white gold. It is estimated that at least 20% of the population is allergic to nickel, and symptoms include swelling, discoloration, and itching where skin contacts the metal. If nickel allergies are a concern, palladium white gold is a good but slightly more expensive alternative."

I did not want my future husband to spend money on a ring that causes me an allerigic response and makes him feel bad about it. So, he researched it and in the end opted for platinum instead of white gold. No more allergies here... :0)

Answer 3

Go for the White Gold. Every girl loves Platnium but it is way to expensive.

Answer 4

I have platinum, and I love the look of it. Its more grey, than a bright silver like white gold. It does scratch easily, however, and I was advised to have the scratches brushed off no more than once a year.
I just wanted to respond to what another poster said about setting the ring in platinum. My diamond became loose in a bezel set platinum ring. Apparently because diamond is a harder material than any metal, anytime the ring hits something, the diamond essentially hits the metal as well, eventually loosening the metal in that area which would cause it to fall out. This happens with any ring no matter the quality. Im just passing along what they told me at Tiffany, FYI.
I would choose based on the look of the metal.

Answer 5

Personally I don't think so but that's just me. I think for some women having the perfectly rated diamond w/ the highest level of metal (Platinum) is a status symbol....and those women are really shallow to me. The fact is yes...platinum is more precious than white gold BUT it's softer. That means, with every day wear and tear, platinum is much more likely to show scratches. White gold is harder so it can withstand more wear and tear over the years. The disadvantage with white gold is that it can start to discolor slightly after many, many years. In my opinion, platinum isn't worth it. Most women would probably rather have a bigger diamond with white gold than a small diamond with platinum.

Answer 6

There is no difference other than the fact that one cost a lot more. White gold looks a little more silver than gray but most people can't tell the difference by looking. You can afford a much larger diamond if you get the gold. As far as a long term investment you can never go wrong with gold.

Answer 7

I would go with the white gold platnium is supposed t be better but I like the white gold.

Answer 8

My friend is a jeweler and he once told me that platinum became so big because the jewelry market needed a "new" metal to compete with gold so they built up the platinum hype. However, platinum is a softer metal so it bends easier and, although white gold is really yellow gold that is plated, most jewlery stores you buy from will re-dip white gold rings for free when they start to wear and you can shine them easily with a cleaning, platinum quickly loses it's shine and luster and there is NO getting it back. I would go with white gold

Answer 9

Platinum is supposed to be a more durable metal. However, I could really care less if it's platinum or white gold. I doubt that people that are untrained could really tell the difference between the two. I think it depends too if it's going to be a ring that's passed down in the family -- if so, go platinum. If not, white gold.

Answer 10

Most girls have a preference. Find your girlfriend's preference and get her that. The differences in durability or anything like that is nothing. It's all about color preference, really.

But whatever you do, make sure you get a platinum head. That will ensure the diamond won't fall out. Gold bends more so you don't want something like that holding in the diamond.