Platinum vs. White Gold

Platinum is one of the rarest metals on earth.   This precious metal comes out of the ground pure white. Some of the most delicately made vintage engagement rings and jewelry is made in platinum. Eighty percent of platinum production comes from Africa. During times of economic stability, platinum is twice as expensive as gold.  Economic uncertainty brings the price of platinum down sometimes lower than gold. The biggest benefit of platinum is that it is very tough.  It is soft but tough and pliable. Platinum is resistant to wear.  Just look at vintage rings that are one hundred years and older.  They look brand new, untouched by time.  Should you have an accident with a platinum piece of jewelry it is resistant to knocks and would have little damage to the metal whereas, white gold tends to be brittle. Platinum does not need to be rhodium plated unlike white gold.  Rhodium is in the platinum group.  Fourteen karat white gold is a little over half gold being mixed with other alloys such as nickel, zinc or other white metals whereas platinum is pure and heavier. As mentioned before, white gold needs to be rhodium plated to cover its yellowish cast and must be re-rhodium plated as it wears off.   Vintage white gold is alloyed with different white metals than is used today. Today’s white gold uses alloys that gives white gold its yellowish tint.  If you can find a platinum engagement ring that you like, that is the best way to go and is something that will last your lifetime and generations to come.