When it comes to finding the right jewelry to match your style, there are many choices to choose from. Whether it’s a necklace, ring, bracelet, or earrings, the material and color that you select can really help express your style.One of the most popular questions when it comes to jewelry is what is the difference between white gold and platinum. While they are both similar at first glance, there are several key factors that you should know to distinguish the two. Today, we are going to look at 4 different characteristics that separate white gold and platinum.

Slight Difference In Color

When you take a close look at white gold, you will notice that it is not actually white, but more of a silver color. To make this color, jewelers must mix yellow gold with a white metal. This can include nickel, silver, or manganese. White gold is a man made product and is not available in a pure form. Some jewelers coat them in rhodium to give the white gold a whiter, shinier finish.


For platinum jewelry, you will get a more natural gray/white color. For jewelry to be sold as platinum, it must contain at least 90-95% platinum. If it does not meet these specs, it must be sold as platinum alloy. 


To get the best comparison of the two, it is recommended to have a look at each side by side. This will allow you to really see the color difference and decide which style you like the best. If you plan on adding other jewelry to the same area on your body, make sure to stick with the same material as you will certainly see the difference if you have two rings of different materials.

Price Tag

When comparing white gold to platinum, you have to consider the price difference between the two is quite drastic. If money is no object, platinum is going to be the clear choice. Platinum usually runs at a higher price due to the scarcity of it when compared to gold. When comparing the two, Platinum is much more dense which means the same ring in each material will weight more if constructed with Platinum. 


 White gold runs a far cheaper price tag as it is mined much more often than Platinum. Gold as a whole is much more popular, which means the prices of gold jewelry can be much more competitive. So if you are looking for a specific piece and are not worried about the type of material that is used, you can save quite a bit of money by choosing white gold over platinum.

Social Status

When it comes to social status, gold has always been regarded as the most prestigious awards. Gold jewelry has always been a social symbol of wealth and is usually used to show off higher end pieces of jewelry. However, as of late, platinum has been used to recognize higher end items. This goes not only for jewelry, but credit cards and name brands as well.

Care

To keep your white gold looking as good as the day you bought it, it is highly recommended to have it redipped every few years to replace the rhodium plating. This will keep it looking shiny and white. If neglected, white gold can revert back to the yellow gold color. Don’t let that steer you away from white gold as many jewelers offer this service for free and the process is quite easy. 


 Platinum will not fade to any other colors like white gold will, however, over time, the shiny finish can start to dull and take on a natural patina. Many people seem to like this natural fading as it make diamonds stand out even more. If you want to get your platinum back to the shiny state, it can be shined by a professional jewelry cleaner.

Conclusion

Now that we have looked at the key differences of white gold vs platinum, you should be able to choose which you would like for your next jewelry piece. As always, you can ask one of the jewelry experts here at All In Faith to assist you if you have any questions!