Choosing between platinum jewelry and white gold jewelry

There are many differences between white gold and platinum as precious metals for jewelry. When choosing a piece, there are a variety of factors to consider. This guide explains them from allergy to cost.

Differences between the two metals

One essential consideration is weight. Suppose you are getting your wedding ring. Would you like a light ring or a slightly heavier ring? Because platinum is more dense than gold, a platinum ring will be heavier. If you are considering the two metals, make sure you try both on in the store.

Even cleaning the jewelry should be a consideration

Another difference to consider is maintenance. Every few years, white gold needs to be re-plated. To make white gold shinier and whiter, jewelers often plate it with rhodium. This repair is inexpensive, but to keep your ring or earing bright, do not forget about this. Platinum is an easier metal to take care of. One only needs to have it professionally shined every few years. This is a fast and easy process, and depending on the composition of the platinum, it may not even be necessary.

These jewelry repairs will prevent white gold from loosing its shine and will keep the platinum from returning to its original grayish color.

Cost

Platinum costs more than gold, in part because more gold is mined per year than platinum. Additionally, because precious metals are sold by weight and a platinum piece of jewelry weighs more than the same piece made of white gold, platinum is even more expensive than white gold.

Allergies

If someone is allergic to nickel, then he or she should not wear white gold jewelry. That is because nickel is sometimes mixed with yellow gold to form white gold. It is possible to find nickel-free white gold, however, so be sure to check with your local jeweler.