White Gold vs Platinum

Platinum and White Gold are both durable metals which respond to impact, pressure and scratches in different ways.

Platinum is a very dense metal which means it has excellent resistance to wearing away. A wedding ring made in Platinum could be worn for decades and barely lose any thickness at all. The downside of Platinum is that it tends to lose its high polish and sharp edges fairly quickly. This is not because they are being worn away but, more accurately, they are being moulded like clay around the surface of the ring. This can result in small ‘bruises’ and dents on the metal surface that over time creates its own unique finish called a patina. It is this particular characteristic that can mean some design elements are better in White Gold.

Although not as dense as Platinum, White Gold is intrinsically strong and fine details have more rigidity. If a design features hand engraving, mill grain or square edges, these details will be retained by White Gold better than Platinum. The downside of White Gold is that it is more susceptible to wearing away. If you have ever seen an old White Gold ring, it is likely you would have noticed that it has become very thin due to the metal wearing off over time.

Your jeweller will assess your design and ask you questions about your lifestyle, occupation and how often you’re most likely to wear your piece to determine which metal’s durability is better suited for you.