Platinum or White Gold Engagement Rings - What’s best?

Choosing platinum versus white gold engagement rings has been a long debated subject. While there are pros and cons to both, it is also down to the wearer's personal taste. It’s wise to find out all the facts before you purchase a ring so you can put your mind at ease. So just what are the main differences between the two?

Cost

When it comes to cost, white gold wins by a mile. In order to turn yellow gold white, the gold is mixed with alloys and then coated with rhodium plating. This result is engagement rings that look very similar to platinum but with more of a white tint, as platinum is greyer. Per gram, gold and platinum are evenly matched in price, but the problems lies in the density of platinum. As it has a much higher density than gold, more of it is required to create the ring, and the ring is therefore heavier - which is how jewellers measure the price. White gold, therefore, costs almost half the amount platinum does, which means the buyer can focus more money on the ring’s centre stone.

Appearance

The downside of the reduced expense of white gold engagement rings is that after a while the white will begin to fade back to the original yellow colour. However, now many jewellers do re-polishing and re-plating for free, or include it with the purchase of the ring, so it doesn’t require any future outlay to maintain. Platinum’s colour doesn’t fade as the gold does, but as with most metal, wear and tear will eventually mean the surface of the ring develops a patina. Some people don’t mind this, as they believe it makes the centre stone look shinier, and some find they actually prefer a matte finish as opposed to polished, although it can be polished by a professional to restore the original gleam. Many people believe the appearance of platinum and white gold is so similar that platinum isn’t worth the extra money.

Durability

In terms of strength, platinum is certainly a lot stronger so the prongs that hold the centre stone are more likely to break on white gold engagement rings. With a lower density, white gold thins whereas platinum rarely does. Both metals can be scratched, but the difference is that platinum doesn’t change colour when scratched, as the purity of the metal is present through all layers of the ring. When white gold is scratched, it can often reveal the gold layer beneath and so the scratches can be a lot more obvious. This, in turn, can be more expensive to resolve than a platinum scratch, which will often go unnoticed.

Frederick Holm is staff writer for the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. From the best white gold engagement rings to precious metals, coloured stones and vintage styles, we have ideas and opinions covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.