White gold is mixed with many white metals like nickel, palladium or silver in order to get its white color. It’s just as simple as that, because silver tarnishes and needs to be polished and platinum jewelry and white gold do not. It is a white metal that somewhat resembles platinum, forms a strong bond over the gold alloy, takes a high shine, resists corrosion and oxidation, and is … The price can vary considerably between platinum and white gold jewelry. White gold is generally mixed with palladium or nickel. Platinum jewelries look more lavish and they are more comfortable to wear compared to white gold. It is rarer than gold, and much heavier and harder. I know some dials and features are only offered on certain models; that's sometimes a way to tell the difference. The rhodium in both white gold and platinum eventually wears off giving a dull grey look, but the shine can be replaced by re-plating the rhodium. Platinum, white gold, stainless steel are almost impossible to tell apart. And certainly, any white gold that tests higher than 18K will have a 'warmer' look than platinum. When white gold is scratched, it leaves a little bit of itself on the object that scratched it and acquires a slight groove on its surface. As a white gold jewelry made of nickel alloy is cheaper compared to palladium, most jewelry makers prefer to use nickel instead of palladium. The color of platinum is naturally white. How can you distinguish them? Some may prefer the white lustre of plated gold jewelry and some may prefer the natural look of the platinum jewelry. It's an industry standard that all white gold used for jewelry is plated with rhodium.Why rhodium? The two main differences between platinum and white gold are the composition and price. White gold and platinum do not. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between platinum and white gold. Now that you know how to tell platinum from white gold, it will be easier for you to make a decision – based on your budget and preference. Platinum always has an upper hand in comparison with white gold as the coating of rhodium only gives the gold its sheen. It is not always easy to tell with the naked eye but this is may help. Platinum jewelry is hypoallergenic in spite of the alloy used. Platinum is a naturally occurring white metal. The durability of platinum metal is far greater, as it loses very little weight with polishing and everyday wear and tear. white gold and platinum actually look identical in their finished forms and appear white to the eyes The naturally white Platinum will never fade to yellow. Platinum always has an upper hand in comparison with white gold as the coating of rhodium only gives the gold its sheen. When it comes to metals, some, such as yellow gold and rose gold, can hide the faint yellow color of a lower grade diamond better than platinum and white gold. Can you tell the difference between platinum, silver and white Gold? There are a couple of differences between two metals. Platinum is easier to hand engrave, but there is plenty of engraved white gold jewelery, too.When not rhodium plated, white gold is a bit yellowish and platinum is more grayish in color. These alloys are generally used to harden the metal. Here is how to tell platinum from silver. A true platinum ring will feel far more heavy in the palm of your hand. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. White gold is the new platinum around the town. Since most platinum alloys are 95% platinum and 18kt white gold is 75% gold, less gold is require to produce an 18kt white gold ring. The main difference between platinum and white gold is on how they are formed; platinum is a pure metal while white gold is an alloy.There are many precious metals such as gold, silver, diamond, platinum, and so on.When it comes to engagement rings, people prefer platinum over other metals because of its sparkling beauty, elegance, whiteness, and durability. Platinum is about 30 times rarer than gold (Updated May 1, 2020. More platinum is needed to make a ring though, causing the price to be 40-50% more. It is shinier and white in colour compared to white gold. The first thing you want to look for is the shape of the stamp. Hypoallergenic metals will help out to diminish the opportunity of any allergic reaction by reducing the number of potentially irritating substances. Platinum rings with diamonds or other precious gemstones are always a welcome amongst most. White gold jewelry is considered sophisticated and stylish. Ultimately the choice to choose between white and platinum comes down to a personal preference. Examine the interior of the band. Make new scratches on the stone for each different kind of acid. While platinum is heavier and more durable than white gold, it can be fabricated much better than gold in jewelry making. Platinum is very much expensive compared to white gold. The purity of gold is described with the term karat. For these reasons if you have any allergy it is better to stick to platinum jewelry instead of white gold. Originally Published Dec. 4, 2015) "Please tell me how I can tell whether a ring is 14k white gold. https://www.mygemologist.com/learn/jewelry-metals/white-gold-and-platinum-differences/, http://thevalleymart.com/articles/white-gold-platinum.html, http://www.jogiadiamonds.com.au/blog/white-gold-vs-platinum-what-jewellers-wont-tell-you/, http://www.specialtymetals.com/blog/2015/3/31/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-silver-white-gold-and-platinum, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImEEVD4nXuA, This post may contain affiliate links. Platinum is naturally white metal whereas White gold is an alloy of yellow gold which is mixed with silver, nickel to give it a whitish appearance & later rhodium polished to give it a temporary platinum-like appearance. Only few people are interested in investing on platinum metal, although it needs less maintenance than white gold. Platinum is denser than white gold and the wearability of jewelries made from it is high compared to white gold. Usually, the additional metals that can be used in white gold … Because of its hardness, platinum can be used in a purer form than gold. Using an Acid Scratch Testing Kit Use an acid testing kit on hard-to-verify jewelry. They almost resemble the platinum ones, but cannot duplicate them. Platinum vs White Gold . Related Posts: How to Tell the Difference Between Silver, White Gold and Platinum This is a difference that probably stands out the most to the discerning eye. Rhodium Plates All White Gold . Silver Bars Cooling. The finest gold is described as 24 karat. The look Very simply, silver tarnishes. Platinum costs more than white gold, as it is a very rare metal and also very pure. The fineness of platinum is marked with.900 or marked as.950. If a gold is 22 karat, the remaining 2 karat is mixed with alloy. Platinum is truly the only hypoallergenic valuable jewelry metal because it is 95% pure. Whether it is white or platinum jewelry, imitating deigns in other metal is a possible option. Nickel free alloys can reduce this problem. If you see white/gray tarnish on the surface of the item, it is made of silver. If the bride-to-be has an allergy to nickel, then platinum is the way to go. 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. Platinum, on the other hand, is purer and is considered hypoallergenic. The softness of gold is based on its purity. Platinum vs. White Gold: Scratches. You can read the full disclosure, TreasurePursuits.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The first and easiest way to tell what a ring is, look for the hallmark inside the ring. Platinum is also used to make jewelry and looks similar to white gold, but when compared side by side with white gold you can see that platinum has a more grayish color. How was it white? In fact it is the only metal that can be used in the purest form. In some cases, there will be a stamp that reveals the composition of the ring, whether it be gold, silver, or platinum. Platinum was used by pre-Columbian natives in America as part of a white alloy of gold and platinum. White gold is more fragile so there’s a bigger chance that jewelries made from this element might break, especially if force is applied. It is true that platinum engagement rings are priced high over white engagement rings. But because platinum used for jewelry is 95% pure versus only about 58.5% (for 14Kt) or 75% for 18 karat gold, the cost per gram for platinum is still greater than the cost of gold. A rhodium plated white gold ring looks very similar to a Platinum ring when first purchased, but over time the rhodium plating in white gold will wear off and fade to a yellowish tinge. Any scratching does not result in the thinning of the ring band, but it does happen with gold rings. Platinum is more delicate and luxurious compared to white gold. There is a difference in how platinum and white gold react to scratches. By sight alone, 18K should have a slightly buttery or a yellowish tinge compared to platinum. Crafting platinum jewelries requires experienced professionals who are experts in this area, as well as special tools that were designed for this job because of the complexity of the process. Platinum is denser, and thus more material weight is needed to produce the same ring than from white gold. There are several ways to tell if a ring is white gold or platinum. If you do not want to spend more on it, you can always go in for rings made of white gold. An oval stamp would indicate the item is silver. 1957 Silver Quarter – The Value Is In Silver and Proofs. If you can't find … These factors will help you in learning how to tell platinum from white gold. It is the matter of choice – price, look, sensitivity and durability. View our, How to Date Ball Mason Jars: 9 Ways the Jar Will Tell You, How to Recover Platinum from Catalytic Converters: 5 Easy Tips, 1944 Jefferson Nickel – Silver Wartime Nickel, 1950 Wheat Penny Value in Uncirculated Penny, 1907 Barber Quarter – Value in the Proof and Silver, 1952 Half Dollar – Higher Value with Full Bell Lines. Buying an engagement ring in platinum or white ring is always a contemplating question. This will tell you if the item is 14ct or 18ct (though a white metal could also be steel) or 22ct to 24ct (though gold this pure cannot be white in colour). Most often, the alloy is made from gold and Platinum, white gold, therefore, is a bit more expensive conventional yellow gold. Just like cut quality, clarity and carat weight, color is one slice of the pie to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a diamond. Gold in the form of alloy or pure gold is an extensively traded asset so it can be sold very easily compared to platinum. Originally conceived to honor artists and track sound recording sales, Gold & Platinum Awards have come to stand as a benchmark of success for any artist—whether they’ve just released their first song or Greatest Hits album. Usually at about 95%. The fineness of platinum is marked with .900 or marked as .950. A rectangular shape with the corners shaved off will tell you immediately that the item is gold. There are a couple of differences between two metals. Many people suffer from nickel allergies, which is why they avoid buying jewelries made from white gold. (It may be possible, however, to find nickel-free white gold. It is interesting to know the fact that the nickel in gold is sensitive to a lot of people. Combined with the difference in weight, the cost of a platinum ring is about 4 times the cost of a similar ring in white gold. The most common hallmark is meant to tell you an item's precious metal purity. However, experienced laser welders and jewelers who are experts in this field are more likely to prevent potential damages. Platinum also has a shine, but it does not last very long. Imagine, walking into a jewelry store and seeing two rings made of platinum and white gold, respectively. It’s your choice. If the ring stamp reads "Pt" or "Plat," it contains platinum. Other than that, you'll have to test. There’s lower risk of damaging the jewelries being fixed. There are acid platinum solutions. When you do, ask about shipping costs. Platinum jewelry contains 90% to 95% of platinum and the remaining 10% to 5% is mixed with an alloy such as iridium or ruthenium. White gold is the new platinum around the town. Most jewelers will not set a precious stone in silver. The purer the gold, the softer it is. Your items could qualify for free or discounted shipping when you send them to us. Continue testing with other acids if the piece is not platinum to find out what it is. The stone If you are looking at a precious stone in a setting, you are most likely looking at a gold or platinum piece. If the scratches all dissolve, the piece is not platinum, silver, or white gold. White gold consists more of a mixture of durable metals like nickel, zinc and copper while platinum is more pure with 95-98% platinum composition. White gold jewelries on the other hand are easier to repair compared to those made from platinum. If you have a silver-toned item that could be made of platinum, call us at 800-426-2344 and ask us to test it for you. Once the ring is re-polished and re-plated, it will look white again. Choose as per your budget or style. It also lasts longer compared to white gold. Easiest way - Jewelry in most countries are required by law to have a stamp on it that identifies the Karat quality or the metal. The Rhodium plating will initially protect wearers from any nickel within the gold, but it will eventually wear off, which can leave the skin irritated if … Platinum ring with patina. Platinum is almost grayish white and does not necessarily demand rhodium polishing. -As you can see by the chart above, platinum was worth more than gold for the vast majority of the 20th Century.It was not until the global financial crisis of 2008 that gold prices began to overtake platinum prices in terms of overall, now fully fiat US dollar valuations (Post-1971).- With the best online jewelry stores available across the globe, you can do as much filtration and comparison as possible with regard to price, style, weight, gemstone etc. White gold is has very high reflectivity and therefore shines much brighter and whiter when new. Although we carefully make a choice of alloying metals they still have a sign of yellow color, which can be distinguished from platinum. Finding an engagement ring is no longer a tough task. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While the key differences between these two precious metals are composition and price, they look nearly identical to the naked eye. What You Need To Know When Buying Her A Diamond. These features make platinum jewelries to cost 2.5 or 5 times more than the white gold. They are much affordable and are available in a plethora of choices. It is very difficult to repair platinum jewelry as it has elevated melting temperature and it may burn the diamonds or gemstones that come with it. Platinum is hypoallergenic and does not pose any reactive instances. White gold is soft and pliable metal. 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