White Gold vs. Platinum Engagement Rings - What is the difference?

Buying an engagement ring is not an easy decision. Not only that, it's a huge commitment to part with your hard-earned money, so you want to be sure it's perfect.

Every engagement ring differs in the materials used, the stones, cost, durability, and other factors that cater to various personalities and preferred styles.

In particular, most people find it challenging to choose between white gold and platinum engagement rings. If you're a guy, you are probably thinking right now, "what the heck is the difference?"

Well, we can assure you, there is a lot to compare between the two! They both have their advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we discuss the primary differences between white gold and platinum engagement rings.

Hopefully, by the end, you feel confident with the peace of mind about which one you want for your beloved. Our goal is to make this tricky process much more comfortable and enjoyable for you! Take it all in and accept the challenge - we're sure that your wife-to-be is going to love it, regardless.

 

The Cost of White Gold vs. Platinum

The difference in price between white gold vs. platinum is something to consider. Platinum is generally more expensive than white gold, varying anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars in price depending on the ring.

Platinum is a denser metal, so the same ring in Platinum will weigh more than a ring in 14k white gold Platinum rings are usually 95% pure platinum while 14k gold is only 58.5% gold. Because they are heavier, they will cost more because the price is based on weight.

If you're on a tight budget, white gold might be the better choice for you. It's an absolutely beautiful metal that won't go unnoticed - we promise!

It's also a good idea to keep in mind for any future rings you purchase for your wife, which you ideally want to match in color and material. This is also something we suggest considering when buying an engagement ring!

If you are buying a Platinum engagement ring, chances are you will be buying a matching Platinum wedding band at some point in the future so make sure you budget for that as well.

 

Comfort

When you wear a ring your whole life, you want to make sure you're comfortable! Many people today refuse to wear their rings due to the discomfort associated with it.

For white gold vs. platinum, there is a slight difference in comfort. We mentioned that platinum is denser in the previous point, and that also makes it heavier than the white gold.

While it's not entirely noticeable for some people, if your partner has sensitive or dainty hands, this factor should be considered. Also, if your bride-to-be favors a thicker band, keep in mind that a thick Platinum band may be very heavy.

Some people actually prefer a heavier ring as opposed to a lighter ring, but this is a personal choice. The comfort will also usually depend on the style of ring, too.

In terms of allergies, platinum is considered hypoallergenic. White gold is generally safe as well, but allergies from the nickel alloy used in gold rings can spur a reaction.

 

Durability

You want the engagement ring to last a lifetime. It's the representation of your love for your partner and the ring that kicked everything off - your proposal, engagement, wedding, marriage, and eternity together.

So, you want it to be durable, of course! In terms of durability and strength, platinum is the winner here. Both metals are robust in composition, although platinum is considered the stronger one of the two.

The prongs used on a platinum ring to hold the center stone in place, for example, are known for their durability and less likelihood of breaking. The higher density also means it will wear more slowly than white gold.

Before you get carried away with platinum, though, there is a downside to platinum. It scratches much easier than white hold, despite its strength. It is the softer metal of the two, and while scratches are inevitable with both variants, platinum is susceptible to more of it than white gold.

However, when platinum is scratched, it develops a beautiful, natural patina finish which is something favored by a lot of people because it resembles an antique ring. It might be a good idea to get a second opinion on this one, depending on what your partner prefers. Ask her friends or family for suggestions.

White gold is also known for fading yellow over time, which we'll talk more about in the next point.

Remember that re-polishing is always possible to restore the ring to its original look when you first purchased it, so there's nothing to fear either way between white gold or platinum engagement rings.

 

Appearance

The appearance is the most distinguishing characteristic of white gold vs. platinum, although it is still quite difficult to tell the difference. Both feature that beautiful white color, with the white gold appearing slightly more grey. So which one should you get, right?

Well, the white gold engagement rings have gold, alloys and a rhodium plating which is what gives it that similar look to platinum. The specific alloys are what typically make it appear as white.

However, while it's gorgeous, there's the occasional problem of it turning yellow. This is due to the rhodium plating wearing off over time (as mentioned in the previous point). Because of this, re-polishing and re-plating are required to achieve its white look again.

Platinum, which is naturally white in color, doesn't fade to yellow as white gold does. But if you want to go for white gold, don't stress too much about the fading, because most companies offer re-polishing and re-plating in their warranty.

We get it, buying an engagement ring is seriously challenging. We do hope these facts covered everything you need to know and reassured a lot of your concerns for choosing between white gold and platinum engagement rings.

Take the leap of faith, choose from the heart, and begin your journey with your wife-to-be. We're confident that she will love it regardless of the metal choice! We work in both Platinum & White Gold so if you are interested in designing your dream ring feel free to contact us and we can get started.