Platinum vs. gold: how to decide

If you’re like me, you like to get the best value for your money. But when it comes to choosing the precious metal for your jewelry, there’s more to consider than just price.

Appearance

A big difference between gold and platinum is colour. Platinum is naturally white; gold is naturally yellow. If you want a yellow piece, then gold is definitely your best option. If you want a white piece, you can choose either platinum or white gold.

Material

The purer the gold, the softer it is. For jewelry, gold is mixed with other alloys to give it strength.

  • White & yellow gold have the same proportion of alloy to gold. It’s the combination of alloys – like nickel or palladium – that make gold white. Rhodium plating your white gold piece gives it an even whiter, more lustrous finish. But over time, the plating will wear and need to be reapplied.

  • 14k gold is 58.3% gold while 10k gold is 41.7%.

  • There’s no noticeable difference in colour, strength, durability or weight between 10k and 14k gold. Generally speaking I find women lean towards 14k gold and men tend to go with 10k.

Platinum is 90 to 95% pure. Although a platinum piece doesn’t need rhodium plating to make it white, many customers have it plated for extra shine. Over time, platinum will dull to a natural patina.

Cost

While gold and platinum are close to the same price per gram, platinum jewellery is more expensive because more of it is used in each piece (that 90 – 95% purity!).

Strength

Gold and platinum are both durable precious metals however platinum is stronger. The prongs holding the center stone of a platinum  ring are less likely to break then those on a gold ring.

Scratching

Despite being more durable, platinum is a softer metal than 14k gold. This means it will scratch a little easier. But because of its density, the platinum is just displaced on the piece (not removed). When white gold is scratched, that small part of the metal is actually removed. Over time, this will lead to a thinning of the piece.

Comfort

Because platinum is more dense, the piece will be heavier than in gold. Some prefer the more substantial feel of platinum while others find the lightness of gold more comfortable.

Another consideration: platinum is hypoallergenic & isn’t a problem for people with sensitive skin. While most people aren’t allergic to gold they can react to the alloys, particularly the nickel, used in white gold. It’s possible to adapt the ingredients of the gold if this is an issue for you.

The Choice Is Yours

Ultimately the choice between white gold and platinum comes down to a personal preference. I’m happy to give you a quote in both metals to help you make the right decision for you!