September 06, 2019Metal Education

Platinum vs. Gold

Choosing the metal that is best for you often comes down to your personal preference and lifestyle. In this article, we go over the look and overall maintenance required for the most popular metal choices in fine jewelry.

White Gold

White gold is a mixture of yellow gold and other alloys to create a whitish-yellow color. We carry 14K and 18K white gold, which are made up of 58.5% and 75% pure gold. Because gold does not naturally come white, we mix gold with nickel or palladium alloy to create the whitish-yellow color of white gold. For white gold to get the lustrous white color, our fine jewelry is finished with rhodium plating. Rhodium is part of the platinum family and is the most scratch-resistant precious metal used in fine jewelry. The plating gives white gold a bright chrome finish and is typically re-done every six months to a year to keep your engagement ring looking fresh.

Yellow Gold

In gold's purest form, 24 karat, the metal is too soft to be worn as jewelry for every day. Because of this, yellow gold is mixed with zinc and copper to increase durability and strength. Yellow gold can come in a variety of different karats but is typically available in 14K or 18K for fine jewelry. 14K and 18K yellow gold are the sweet spots for durability and the amount of pure gold.

Rose Gold

Rose gold, also known as pink gold or red gold and is a combination of pure gold, copper, and silver. We carry rose gold in 14K and 18K in many different jewelry styles. 14K has a more blush pink shade, and 18K has a more orange-pink color. Rose gold first gained popularity in 19th Century Russia because of Carl Faberge's Faberge Eggs. Rose gold became popular in the United States around the 1920s because of its romantic, feminine color and has become a staple in many women's jewelry collections.

Platinum

When comparing pure gold and pure platinum, gold is actually the more expensive metal. However pure 24K gold is hardly used in fine jewelry, whereas you will commonly be able to find platinum jewelry that is anywhere from 85-95% pure. Platinum is the only pure white metal used in fine jewelry and is also hypoallergenic.

	Weight / Composition	Hardness / Resistance to Scratching	Color	Allergenic	Maintenance	Pricing
Platinum	75 - 80% heavier than 14k gold 95% platinum, 5% iridium	Scratches easier than 14k and 18k gold	Maintains it's white color forever. The color is darker, more gray, than rhodium-plated white gold.	Hypoallergenic	Long term maintenance includes repolishing typically every 6 months to 2 years depending on wear and body chemistry.	$$$
18k White Gold	15 - 20% heavier than 14k gold 75% gold, 25% additional metals: zinc, copper, silver, nickel (white gold)	Softer than 14k gold but harder than platinum	Will eventually tinge to its natural light yellow (requiring rhodium plating)	17% of women and 3% of men are allergic to the nickel content found in the white gold alloys	Long term maintenance includes repolishing and replating (rhodium finish) typically every 6 months to 2 years depending on wear and body chemistry	$$
14k White Gold	58% gold, 42% additional metals: zinc, copper, silver, nickel (white gold)	14k gold is the hardest and will maintain its high polish the longest	Will eventually tinge to a very light yellow (requiring rhodium plating)	17% of women and 3% of men are allergic to the nickel content found in the white gold alloys	Long term maintenance includes repolishing and replating (rhodium finish) typically every 6 months to 2 years depending on wear and body chemistry	$

Vickers Hardness of Precious Metals
Diamond	10000 HV
Rhodium (plating)	800 HV
14K White Gold	230 HV
18K White Gold	210 HV
14K Yellow Gold	155 HV
14K Rose Gold	150 HV
18K Yellow Gold	140 HV
18K Rose Gold	140 HV
Platinum	125 HV
24K Gold	75 HV
Sterling Silver	75 HV