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. -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).- This is a difference that probably stands out the most to the discerning eye. White gold is finished with different types of metals and many of these metals may possibly irritate the skin, especially for the sensitive type. 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. (Updated May 1, 2020. This video discusses the differences between platinum and white gold: What factors have created this difference? 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. Buying an engagement ring in platinum or white ring is always a contemplating question. White gold is generally mixed with palladium or nickel. If the scratches all dissolve, the piece is not platinum, silver, or white gold. Although we carefully make a choice of alloying metals they still have a sign of yellow color, which can be distinguished from platinum. White gold is soft and pliable metal. The look Very simply, silver tarnishes. Usually, the additional metals that can be used in white gold … There’s lower risk of damaging the jewelries being fixed. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. While platinum is heavier and more durable than white gold, it can be fabricated much better than gold in jewelry making. 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. Although we carefully make a choice of alloying metals they still have a sign of yellow color, which can be distinguished from platinum. For these reasons if you have any allergy it is better to stick to platinum jewelry instead of white gold. 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 about 30 times rarer than gold 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. 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. In fact it is the only metal that can be used in the purest form. The first thing you want to look for is the shape of the stamp. The alloys of platinum are very pure and are generally 20% lighter in density than white gold. While the key differences between these two precious metals are composition and price, they look nearly identical to the naked eye. The naturally white Platinum will never fade to yellow. Some may prefer the white lustre of plated gold jewelry and some may prefer the natural look of the platinum jewelry. The two main differences between platinum and white gold are the composition and price. Rhodium Plates All White Gold . These alloys are generally used to harden the metal. 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. An oval stamp would indicate the item is silver. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. RIAA’s historic Gold® & Platinum® Program defines success in the recorded music industry. 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 is more delicate and luxurious compared to white gold. Ultimately the choice to choose between white and platinum comes down to a personal preference. Nickel is often one of the white metals alloyed with yellow gold to produce white gold. White gold and platinum … The color of platinum is naturally white. Rhodium on a ring is a short term plating anyway so it is only an intial “look”.People will almost always recommend platinum, if you can afford it. It is the matter of choice – price, look, sensitivity and durability. The price can vary considerably between platinum and white gold jewelry. Platinum is denser, and thus more material weight is needed to produce the same ring than from white gold. A rectangular shape with the corners shaved off will tell you immediately that the item is gold. 1957 Silver Quarter – The Value Is In Silver and Proofs. 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 … When you do, ask about shipping costs. It’s your choice. To the naked eye, they look almost the same. The softness of gold is based on its purity. Hypoallergenic metals will help out to diminish the opportunity of any allergic reaction by reducing the number of potentially irritating substances. White gold is mixed with many white metals like nickel, palladium or silver in order to get its white color. Originally Published Dec. 4, 2015) "Please tell me how I can tell whether a ring is 14k white gold. Platinum, white gold, stainless steel are almost impossible to tell apart. Imagine, walking into a jewelry store and seeing two rings made of platinum and white gold, respectively. However, experienced laser welders and jewelers who are experts in this field are more likely to prevent potential damages. 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. Most often, the alloy is made from gold and Platinum, white gold, therefore, is a bit more expensive conventional yellow gold. Regarding white gold, Nickel is generally used as the alloy, but often white gold is plated with Rhodium, a silvery-white metal in the platinum family. 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. Platinum is truly the only hypoallergenic valuable jewelry metal because it is 95% pure. 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. White Gold is an alloy, better known to us yellow gold with Platinum or other metals that give him white, or rather say matte silver color. The purity of gold is described with the term karat. White gold is the new platinum around the town. Your items could qualify for free or discounted shipping when you send them to us. Can you tell the difference between platinum, silver and white Gold? Platinum is hypoallergenic and does not pose any reactive instances. White gold is a mixture of pure yellow gold and other metals that make the resulting alloy harder and give it a white color. If you do not want to spend more on it, you can always go in for rings made of white gold. white gold and platinum actually look identical in their finished forms and appear white to the eyes Choose as per your budget or style. How was it white? (It may be possible, however, to find nickel-free white gold. And certainly, any white gold that tests higher than 18K will have a 'warmer' look than platinum. Finding an engagement ring is no longer a tough task. The finest gold is described as 24 karat. Platinum was used by pre-Columbian natives in America as part of a white alloy of gold and platinum. 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. If the bride-to-be has an allergy to nickel, then platinum is the way to go. Because platinum itself has a much whiter tint to it than the traditionally, well, silver color of silver. It is interesting to know the fact that the nickel in gold is sensitive to a lot of people. Platinum is a naturally occurring white metal. White gold jewelries on the other hand are easier to repair compared to those made from platinum. Silver Bars Cooling. It is not always easy to tell with the naked eye but this is may help. The first and easiest way to tell what a ring is, look for the hallmark inside the ring. White gold is mixed with many white metals like nickel, palladium or silver in order to get its white color. 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. They almost resemble the platinum ones, but cannot duplicate them. Platinum always has an upper hand in comparison with white gold as the coating of rhodium only gives the gold its sheen. Related Posts: How to Tell the Difference Between Silver, White Gold and Platinum It also lasts longer compared to white gold. Only few people are interested in investing on platinum metal, although it needs less maintenance than white gold. Platinum alloys used in jewellery are purer. If a gold is 22 karat, the remaining 2 karat is mixed with alloy. Most jewelers will not set a precious stone in silver. These factors will help you in learning how to tell platinum from white gold. In some cases, there will be a stamp that reveals the composition of the ring, whether it be gold, silver, or platinum. 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. A true platinum ring will feel far more heavy in the palm of your hand. Platinum is denser than white gold and the wearability of jewelries made from it is high compared to white gold. Platinum jewelry is hypoallergenic in spite of the alloy used. The most common hallmark is meant to tell you an item's precious metal purity. By sight alone, 18K should have a slightly buttery or a yellowish tinge compared to platinum. The first difference between white gold and platinum is the most basic and is the foundation of all the other differences. 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 do not. Platinum, on the other hand, is purer and is considered hypoallergenic. Continue testing with other acids if the piece is not platinum to find out what it is. I inherited a bunch of jewelry from my grandmother, I’m pretty sure that the majority of it is real because my grandfather loved her very much and liked to spoil her. Platinum also has a shine, but it does not last very long. Here is how to tell platinum from silver. 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. They can all be polished to very different finishes. If you see white/gray tarnish on the surface of the item, it is made of silver. How can you distinguish them? 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. These features make platinum jewelries to cost 2.5 or 5 times more than the white gold. Other than that, you'll have to test. You are now ready for the final test (for white metals), which uses the 14-24ct acid (the 'BLUE' acid) and the Platinum (Green) acid and a strip of test-paper. Platinum vs White Gold . Whether it is white or platinum jewelry, imitating deigns in other metal is a possible option. Using an Acid Scratch Testing Kit Use an acid testing kit on hard-to-verify jewelry. 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). 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. Examine the interior of the band. More platinum is needed to make a ring though, causing the price to be 40-50% more. 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 more fragile so there’s a bigger chance that jewelries made from this element might break, especially if force is applied. Any scratching does not result in the thinning of the ring band, but it does happen with gold rings. It is shinier and white in colour compared to white gold. Platinum rings with diamonds or other precious gemstones are always a welcome amongst most. What You Need To Know When Buying Her A Diamond. Usually at about 95%. Platinum vs. White Gold: Scratches. Gold in the form of alloy or pure gold is an extensively traded asset so it can be sold very easily compared to platinum. Because of its hardness, platinum can be used in a purer form than gold. 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. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between platinum and white gold. There are a couple of differences between two metals. It’s just as simple as that, because silver tarnishes and needs to be polished and platinum jewelry and white gold do not. There are a couple of differences between two metals. It is rarer than gold, and much heavier and harder. Platinum jewelry contains 90% to 95% of platinum and the remaining 10% to 5% is mixed with an alloy such as iridium or ruthenium. 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 … There are acid platinum solutions. Platinum ring with patina. 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. They are much affordable and are available in a plethora of choices. 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. Many people suffer from nickel allergies, which is why they avoid buying jewelries made from white gold. Nickel free alloys can reduce this problem. White gold is has very high reflectivity and therefore shines much brighter and whiter when new. The fineness of platinum is marked with .900 or marked as .950. For example, compare these two complete rings from Jame… If the ring stamp reads "Pt" or "Plat," it contains platinum. Platinum is almost grayish white and does not necessarily demand rhodium polishing. While platinum is heavier and more durable than white gold, it can be fabricated much better than gold in jewelry making. There are several ways to tell if a ring is white gold or platinum. If you can't find … 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. Make new scratches on the stone for each different kind of acid. When gold is scratched, part of the alloy is scrapped off, but for platinum there is no loss in metal. There is a difference in how platinum and white gold react to scratches. It's an industry standard that all white gold used for jewelry is plated with rhodium.Why rhodium? White gold jewelry is considered sophisticated and stylish. Easiest way - Jewelry in most countries are required by law to have a stamp on it that identifies the Karat quality or the metal. Also, the chemicals used in everyday house hold items like chlorine can destroy the white gold by eating up the alloy in it. As a white gold jewelry made of nickel alloy is cheaper compared to palladium, most jewelry makers prefer to use nickel instead of palladium. I know some dials and features are only offered on certain models; that's sometimes a way to tell the difference. The purer the gold, the softer it is. It is true that platinum engagement rings are priced high over white engagement rings. Platinum is very much expensive compared to white gold. White gold is the new platinum around the town. Platinum always has an upper hand in comparison with white gold as the coating of rhodium only gives the gold its sheen. Platinum jewelries look more lavish and they are more comfortable to wear compared to white gold. Test one acid on the stone at a time. The stone If you are looking at a precious stone in a setting, you are most likely looking at a gold or platinum piece. 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