Platinum vs. White Gold

Platinum vs. White Gold – Which is Right for You?

When you’re looking for that perfect "ice-white" look for your engagement ring, you’ll inevitably face the big question: Platinum or White Gold? While they look nearly identical on day one, they are fundamentally different metals that age, feel, and cost differently over time.

1. Durability: "Displacement" vs. "Loss."

This is the most critical difference for a high-value setting like our 5-prong solitaire.

• Platinum: Is a "sticky" metal. When you scratch or bump it, the metal is simply displaced (moved to the side). It doesn’t flake off. Your ring will weigh exactly the same in 50 years as it does today.

• White Gold: Is a harder, more brittle alloy. When it is scratched, tiny amounts of metal are actually lost. Over decades of wear, white gold prongs can thin out, eventually requiring "re-tipping" to keep the diamond secure.

2. The Maintenance Factor (The "Rhodium" Secret)

• White Gold: Naturally has a slightly yellowish tint because it is mostly yellow gold. To get that chrome-white finish, it is "dipped" in Rhodium. This plating wears off every 1–2 years, requiring a trip to the jeweler for re-plating.

• Platinum: Is naturally white. It will never turn yellow. While it develops a soft, satiny finish called a patina over time, it never requires chemical dipping to maintain its color.

3. Purity & Allergies

If you have sensitive skin, Platinum is the clear winner.

• Platinum (95% Pure): Naturally hypoallergenic. It’s the safest choice for a ring you intend to wear 24/7.

• White Gold (75% Pure for 18k): Often contains traces of nickel or zinc to help "bleach" the yellow gold. For those with nickel allergies, this can cause irritation over time as the Rhodium plating wears thin.