Choosing between white gold vs platinum is a common decision for anyone shopping for an engagement ring or wedding band.
Though both metals share a silvery-white appearance, they differ significantly in composition, durability, care, and cost. Below, we’ll explore their unique qualities to help you choose the best metal for your needs.
What Is Platinum?
Platinum is a naturally white, lustrous metal known for its exceptional durability, purity, and rarity. Formed over billions of years and believed to originate from ancient meteorites, platinum carries a unique cosmic allure that adds depth to its timeless beauty.
In the world of fine jewellery, platinum rose to prominence in the early 20th century, adored by royalty and aristocrats for its understated elegance and unmatched strength.
Unlike white gold, platinum does not need to be mixed with other metals to achieve its silvery hue. Most platinum jewellery is crafted with 95% pure platinum and 5% alloy—typically cobalt or palladium—for added strength, a composition marked as “950 platinum.”
This purity contributes to its hypoallergenic qualities and ensures that it will not tarnish or fade over time.
Highly resistant to corrosion and wear, platinum is dense and durable enough to hold precious gemstones securely for generations.
Its weighty, luxurious feel and natural whiteness make it a favourite for engagement rings and wedding bands, especially among those who prefer low-maintenance jewellery that still exudes sophistication.
In addition to its role in jewellery, platinum is also prized in industries such as automotive engineering, electronics, and investment—further highlighting its value and rarity.
With only a few hundred tonnes mined annually, mostly from South Africa, platinum remains one of the scarcest and most prestigious metals used in modern jewellery.
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What Is White Gold?
White gold is a popular and elegant choice for engagement rings and fine jewelry. However, unlike platinum, white gold is not a naturally white metal—it’s an alloy created by combining pure 24-karat yellow gold with white metals such as palladium, silver, or nickel.
This process alters its color from rich yellow to a cooler, silvery-white tone that closely resembles platinum.
The resulting alloy is then typically plated with rhodium, a lustrous metal from the platinum family, to enhance its brightness and whiteness. This rhodium finish gives white gold its high-shine appearance, making it visually indistinguishable from platinum at first glance.
In terms of purity, white gold is available in different karat levels:
- 24K white gold is virtually nonexistent in jewelry due to its softness and lack of durability.
- 18K white gold consists of 75% pure gold and 25% alloyed white metals. It has a higher intrinsic value and a slightly warmer tone beneath the rhodium, making it ideal for those who prefer a more luxurious option.
- 14K white gold contains 58.3% gold and 41.7% alloy metals, offering greater hardness and scratch resistance than 18K. This makes it a durable and cost-effective choice, especially for everyday rings.
These karat variations affect not only the durability and price but also the tone of the metal beneath the rhodium layer. Nonetheless, since all white gold is rhodium-plated, the visual difference between 14K and 18K is subtle in finished rings.
Why Is White Gold Mixed with Other Metals?
Gold in its purest form—24 karats—is a soft, malleable metal, making it ill-suited for the daily wear and tear that engagement rings and wedding bands typically endure.
To overcome this limitation, white gold is blended with stronger white metals such as palladium, nickel, or silver. This process enhances the metal’s durability while also giving it the cooler, silvery tone that characterizes white gold jewelry.
Once the gold is alloyed, it is usually coated with rhodium—a rare and highly reflective metal in the platinum family—to produce a brilliant white shine and additional scratch resistance.
While this rhodium finish will naturally wear off over time, re-plating is a simple process that can restore the ring’s original luster.
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What is the difference between White Gold and Platinum?
When deciding between white gold and platinum for your ring, several key differences should be considered — from appearance and cost to maintenance and long-term durability.
Color
White gold has a bright, silvery appearance, but it’s not naturally white — it gets its color from the mix of gold and white metals, and its signature shine from a layer of rhodium plating. Platinum, in contrast, is naturally a soft grey-white and maintains its color over time without the need for plating.
While both metals appear similar initially, platinum tends to age into a rich patina, whereas white gold may lose its rhodium finish over time and require re-plating.
Durability and Hardness
Platinum is softer and develops a patina that some find appealing for its antique look. Despite its softness, its density makes it extremely secure for holding diamonds in place.
White gold is harder and better at maintaining its polished finish, especially when newly rhodium-plated — but may wear down more over the years, especially at the base of the ring.
Weight and Feel
Platinum is significantly denser than white gold, giving it a more substantial feel on the hand. If you like a ring that feels weighty and luxurious, platinum might be your preferred choice. White gold is lighter, making it a comfortable choice for everyday wear.
Cost and Value Retention
Platinum used to be more expensive than white gold, but with gold prices rising, 18K white gold is now often pricier per gram. However, platinum’s higher density means more metal is needed to create the same ring, so the final cost of both metals is now quite close.
In terms of value, platinum retains its worth better due to its purity and rarity, while white gold may require regular rhodium replating, adding to long-term costs.
Skin Sensitivity
Platinum is hypoallergenic and an ideal choice for those with metal sensitivities. White gold, especially when alloyed with nickel, may irritate sensitive skin — although choosing white gold with palladium instead can reduce this issue.
Maintenance and Care
White gold needs more upkeep. To maintain its bright white appearance, it typically needs re-plating with rhodium every few years. Platinum requires less maintenance; its patina can be polished if desired, but many wearers appreciate the vintage sheen that develops naturally over time.
Why Would You Choose White Gold?
White gold remains a classic and visually appealing choice for engagement rings and fine jewelry, known for its bright white appearance enhanced by rhodium plating.
While once considered a more affordable alternative to platinum, rising gold prices—especially for 18K white gold—mean that cost is no longer the defining advantage it once was.
What truly distinguishes white gold today is its hardness and design flexibility. Compared to platinum, white gold—particularly 14K—offers greater surface hardness, making it more resistant to scratches and dents.
This property makes it especially suitable for intricate jewelry designs, such as micro-pavé settings, where numerous small diamonds are delicately embedded.
Its strength helps ensure that stones are held securely in place, making it a reliable choice for those seeking both beauty and practicality.
Additionally, white gold’s lighter weight and crisp finish make it a popular option for those who prefer more delicate or refined styles, while still ensuring long-lasting wear.
Why Would You Choose Platinum?
Platinum is the ultimate choice for those who prioritize durability, rarity, and timeless prestige. It is naturally white, requiring no plating to maintain its silvery hue, and is extremely resistant to wear and tarnish.
Because it doesn’t lose metal over time (unlike gold, which wears down), platinum rings are ideal for heirloom pieces meant to last for generations.
Platinum’s strength makes it particularly suitable for securing large or precious gemstones. Its hypoallergenic properties also make it an excellent option for those with sensitive skin.
For buyers who value substance and longevity — both symbolic and physical — platinum is a powerful expression of enduring love.
Conclusion
Both white gold and platinum have their unique appeal, each offering a luxurious and refined look for your engagement or wedding ring. While white gold is harder and offers brilliant shine through rhodium plating, platinum delivers superior durability, hypoallergenic properties, and low-maintenance longevity.
At Elora, we offer a wide range of handcrafted engagement rings and wedding bands in both 18K white gold and platinum. Whether you're seeking a lightweight, elegant design or a piece that will stand the test of time, our team is here to help you find - or customize - the perfect ring for your love story.
Explore our Engagement Rings Collection or reach out to us for a personalized consultation.