So what's the difference?
Platinum is a beautiful metal, known for its unmatched durability, natural white brilliance, and luxurious feel. Its dense and strong nature makes it perfect for creating fine jewellery. Being a pure metal alloyed with a 5% alloy of ruthenium/iridium or copper. This is what gives it, its hypoallergenic properties make it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin. Unlike other metals, platinum doesn't tarnish or fade over time, keeping its stunning shine with minimal care. However, it can develop a soft matte layer called a patina over time, giving it a unique frosted finish.
To keep your platinum jewellery looking its best, regular cleaning is key. A simple mix of mild soap and warm water, combined with gentle scrubbing using a soft-bristle brush, can easily remove dirt and oils. Thanks to its inherent durability, platinum can handle the rigors of daily wear, making it a cherished choice for significant pieces like engagement rings. It also happens to burnish itself over stones as opposed to wearing away like gold.
White gold is created by combining pure gold with white metals such as palladium or nickel. 18ct is the best choice for fine jewellery, which is 75% pure gold with only the 25% to make it white. This results in a warm grey white as opposed to the cool white of platinum. Most jewellers rhodium plate white gold to give it the same appearance of platinum. I don't recommend this as it wears off over time and is a needless constant maintenance for your jewellery. If you are after the pure white colour, choose platinum. If you love the warm grey, choose white gold. Unless you are comparing both side by side, most people will not be able to tell the difference.
It's also worth noting that white gold isn't usually hypoallergenic due to its nickel content. So, if you have sensitive skin, consider white gold alloys with palladium or opt for hypoallergenic metals like platinum.
Price wise, platinum used to be far above white gold. These days it tends to work out the same. The metal is slightly cheaper however the extra work involved with platinum brings it back to the same price.
If you are interested in your own piece, or to see the difference, contact me for a consultation and I will be more than happy to help.
Fill out the My Dream Piece form at the bottom of Custom Orders for a more in depth consult.
Comments