7 Professional Methods for How to Tell Platinum from White Gold

Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between platinum and white gold.

Imagine, walking into a jewelry store and seeing two rings made of platinum and white gold, respectively. How can you distinguish them?

To the naked eye, they look almost the same. Platinum is very much expensive compared to white gold.

This video discusses the differences between platinum and white gold:

What factors have created this difference? These factors will help you in learning how to tell platinum from white gold.

COLOR

The color of platinum is naturally white.

Platinum jewelry contains 90% to 95% of platinum and the remaining 10% to 5% is mixed with an alloy such as iridium or ruthenium. These alloys are generally used to harden the metal.

The fineness of platinum is marked with .900 or marked as .950.

White gold is mixed with many white metals like nickel, palladium or silver in order to get its white color. Although we carefully make a choice of alloying metals they still have a sign of yellow color, which can be distinguished from platinum.

The purity of gold is described with the term karat. The finest gold is described as 24 karat. If a gold is 22 karat, the remaining 2 karat is mixed with alloy.

SOLIDITY AND WEIGHT

The alloys of platinum are very pure and are generally 20% lighter in density than white gold. Platinum jewelries look more lavish and they are more comfortable to wear compared to white gold.

RESILIENCE

The durability of platinum metal is far greater, as it loses very little weight with polishing and everyday wear and tear. It also lasts longer compared to white gold.

White gold is more fragile so there’s a bigger chance that jewelries made from this element might break, especially if force is applied.

EASE OF REPAIR AND SERVICE

It is very difficult to repair platinum jewelry as it has elevated melting temperature and it may burn the diamonds or gemstones that come with it. However, experienced laser welders and jewelers who are experts in this field are more likely to prevent potential damages.

White gold jewelries on the other hand are easier to repair compared to those made from platinum. There’s lower risk of damaging the jewelries being fixed.

TRADE

Gold in the form of alloy or pure gold is an extensively traded asset so it can be sold very easily compared to platinum. Only few people are interested in investing on platinum metal, although it needs less maintenance than white gold.

ALLERGIES TO WHITE GOLD

White gold is generally mixed with palladium or nickel. As a white gold jewelry made of nickel alloy is cheaper compared to palladium, most jewelry makers prefer to use nickel instead of palladium.

Many people suffer from nickel allergies, which is why they avoid buying jewelries made from white gold. Nickel free alloys can reduce this problem.

Platinum jewelry is hypoallergenic in spite of the alloy used.

Hypoallergenic metals will help out to diminish the opportunity of any allergic reaction by reducing the number of potentially irritating substances. Platinum is truly the only hypoallergenic valuable jewelry metal because it is 95% pure.

White gold is finished with different types of metals and many of these metals may possibly irritate the skin, especially for the sensitive type. For these reasons if you have any allergy it is better to stick to platinum jewelry instead of white gold.

COST

Platinum costs more than white gold, as it is a very rare metal and also very pure. It is shinier and white in colour compared to white gold. Platinum is denser than white gold and the wearability of jewelries made from it is high compared to white gold.

Crafting platinum jewelries requires experienced professionals who are experts in this area, as well as special tools that were designed for this job because of the complexity of the process.

Platinum is more delicate and luxurious compared to white gold. These features make platinum jewelries to cost 2.5 or 5 times more than the white gold.

Now that you know how to tell platinum from white gold, it will be easier for you to make a decision – based on your budget and preference.