What is the difference between platinum and white gold?
Currently, the jewelry market is so large and diverse that when choosing a particular piece of jewelry, the buyer is often lost and confused, because jewelry can be made of silver, platinum and even white gold. In appearance, only a professional can distinguish each of these noble metals from each other the first time and unmistakably.
Since recently jewelry made of platinum and white gold has been more in demand, let's try to figure out what are the differences between these two metals.
Similar parameters
To identify the similar parameters of two metals, it is worth carefully familiarizing yourself with a small characteristic of each of them. Platinum is the rarest and most expensive precious metal with a characteristic silvery-white tone and is actively used in jewelry making. This is due to the fact that the extraction and processing of this type of metal require huge costs. It melts at a temperature of two thousand degrees.
To obtain only 10 grams of platinum, you need to process 3 tons of ore (by comparison: to get the same amount of gold, you will have to process 1 ton of ore).
Platinum has a number of significant advantages due to which it enjoys increased attention from connoisseurs of jewelry.
- Strength and durability. Due to its composition and special type of density, platinum has an increased level of protection against various types of damage and is a practical metal that is not prone to deformation.
- Plastic. Despite the fact that platinum has a significant weight in comparison with gold or silver, it can easily change its shape.This is a very big plus that jewelers appreciate when making complex jewelry designs.
- Resistance to any chemical attack. Platinum does not corrode and oxidize, has increased electrical conductivity.
- Natural shine and a unique snow-white shade. Platinum does not need an additional protective layer or coating. You can easily make a tarnished product shiny with rhodium.
- Wide range of applications: from jewelry and coinage to medicine and electronics.
White gold is a noble white metal, which is an alloy of gold with various components (silver, palladium or nickel). Coloring of gold in white occurs under the influence of nickel or palladium. Silver, which can be found in white gold, gives the product a more matte finish. Gold is a soft metal and therefore more susceptible to damage from the environment.
Gold of white tones has different shades: from gray tones to characteristic yellowness. It all depends on the constituent elements of the alloy. White gold is coated with a special layer of rhodium, which provides its protective coating and gives the jewelry a white with a silvery tint. Rhodium is not prone to discoloration and cannot be scratched. But this fragile metal can wear off, and therefore after a while, socks on such a precious thing will begin to show yellowness again.
To give the jewelry its original look, you need to contact a jeweler for help.
Having analyzed the characteristics of both metals, it is concluded that they have quite a few similar parameters. These include:
- both platinum and white gold are precious metals;
- these metals look perfect with precious stones;
- similar appearance.
Despite the similar appearance, it will not be particularly difficult to distinguish platinum from white gold if you know the interesting points.
- Price. Jewelry made of platinum is 3 times more expensive than jewelry made of gold.
- Influence on the condition of the skin. Platinum is a hypoallergenic metal. White gold may contain nickel in its composition, which can cause allergies in its owner.
- Try. The lowest fineness for platinum is 850, for gold - 500. The highest fineness for platinum is 950, for gold - 750.
- The weight. Platinum differs from white gold in its greater weight.
What is the fundamental difference?
The fundamental difference between platinum and white gold can be called their origin, because it is from this factor that the subsequent differences between these two metals come. Platinum is a pure metal that is mined directly from the bowels of the earth, and white gold is the final result of combining a precious metal with one or more elements. (silver, nickel, palladium).
It turns out that only platinum can be called a truly white metal, and white gold is only trying to "approach" the platinum appearance by artificially mixing the components in its composition.
What is the best choice?
When choosing jewelry, the buyer should rely only on his personal preferences and financial capabilities. Buying jewelry in both platinum and white gold is beneficial because each of these purchases is classified as precious metals. Care for both the first product and the second will be identical. Platinum jewelry is an indicator of wealth. Such jewelry is ideal for the role of heirloom due to its durability and strength.
Of course, if a connoisseur of jewelry has sensitive skin, it is better to choose platinum, as this metal is safe and does not cause allergies. White gold is permissible in contact with such delicate skin only if there is no nickel in its composition. If financial possibilities do not allow you to purchase a product made of platinum, you can always choose an interesting option made of white gold.Outwardly, such an ornament will be in no way inferior to platinum, but at a price it will be much cheaper.
See the next video for why platinum items are more expensive than gold items.
