The gray-white coloration of the element platinum is a
common sight in jewelry stores. Since it is considered quite rare, it demands
high prices from jewelry aficionados who prize it as a setting for precious
stones. The lion’s share of the world’s platinum comes from South Africa.
Historians note that platinum was used by American indigenous cultures long
before Christopher Columbus arrived.
In contrast, white gold is an alloy of gold and either
manganese or nickel. Sometimes it is also possible to find that it is an alloy
of gold and palladium. The most common form of white gold used in the jewelry
trade relies on the material’s combination with nickel for strength. This type
of gold is perfect for rings. When palladium gets in the mix, the gold is more
pliable. This makes it suitable for gemstone settings.
Jewelry aficionados are generally divided when it comes to
the superiority of white gold over platinum. One camp asserts that the
durability of the platinum is a sure sign that this element is by far superior
to white gold. The other camp believes that the nickel and gold combination
creates a sturdy metal that gives platinum a run for the money at a lower cost.
Who is right?
Nickel may trigger
allergies. If you are highly allergic to nickel, its content in white gold
may trigger a reaction. You may be able to forego this problem by buying white
gold that features a different alloy.
White gold needs to
be re-plated. White gold rings feature rhodium plating, which prevents any yellow coloration from coming through. This plating needs to be redone every
six months to three years. Deal with a knowledgeable jeweler who has intimate
knowledge of the stock’s white gold makeup and can let you know about nickel
content and plating.
Platinum needs to be
re-polished. Although very hard, the surface of platinum jewelry is
susceptible to minute scratching. Experts usually suggest that for maximum
shine, a daily worn platinum ring should be re-polished every three years. Yet
in so doing, a small layer of the surface material must be stripped off the
ring. This may lead to a ring that gets so thin over time that it may easily
crack.
Gold is cheaper than
platinum. If you are pricing 18-carat gold and platinum, you cannot help
but notice that platinum is almost twice as expensive as gold. At the same
time, it only has about 30 percent more density.
While there is no definitive solution to the question, it
comes down to the buyer’s circumstances. For example, if you can locate a white
gold ring that features the palladium alloy, you may spend a little more but
avoid the nickel. If your budget is not constrained and you can commit to the
re-polishing schedule, the platinum ring may be your favorite option.
Peter Suchy Jewelers is located at 1137 High Ridge Road in
Stamford Connecticut and we invite you to visit our showroom where love to chat
with our customers about gold, gems and vintage and estate jewelry!
If you can’t make it to our showroom, visit our eBay store
or call us at 203-327-0024.
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Have a jewelry question you want answered? Let us know!
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